Tag Archive for: Welcome to the Board

Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District

Vicki Quiram was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on June 19, 2023, representing the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. Quiram serves on the Water Planning and Environmental and Imported Water committees for the Water Authority.

Welcome to the Board-Vicki Quiram-Carlsbad

Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District

(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.)

Welcome to the Board: Vicki Quiram, Carlsbad Municipal Water District

Who: Vicki Quiram was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on June 19, 2023, representing the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. Quiram serves on the Water Planning and Environmental and Imported Water committees for the Water Authority.

Background/Education: Vicki Quiram earned a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering from the University of Texas. She is a Registered Professional Engineer (Texas) Public Works Leadership Fellow, a Envision Sustainability Professional, and holds a Masters Certificate in High Performance Leadership and Certified Life Coach. Quiram is a former Public Works Director and Assistant Director of Public Works for the County of Orange and the cities of Ventura and Westwood. She also served as New Hampshire Commissioner of Administrative and Environmental Services.

Water Industry Affiliations: North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, American Water Works Association, American Public Works Association, and National Water Resources Committee.

Q & A

Q: How did you get interested in water issues?

A: My interest in water started as a little girl with a father that had a passion for water and took the family every Sunday on drives to water and wastewater treatment facilities 😊. Because of this instilled love for water, I later received my engineering degree with a focus on hydraulics and hydrology.  Since that time, I have had the wonderful opportunity to work in the water, wastewater, stormwater, flood control, watershed planning and environmental professions in both the private sector and city, county and state governments.  My passion for this industry has never stopped growing.  I am very fortunate to have experienced the excitement of seeing all water become One Water! My passion for the always-interesting, constantly-changing and challenging world of water will never end.

Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?

A: I will prioritize the availability of a safe, reliable, and affordable water and recycled water supply for all customers that we represent. I will personally and professionally prioritize listening to and understanding the diverse needs and opinions of other board members and the extremely qualified Water Authority staff and will ask questions and work hard to make the best decisions possible for the region.

Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?

A: Housing and Transportation; The maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure; More extreme weather in the future and the difficulty of planning and being prepared for droughts, floods and other events that challenge the people’s housing and infrastructure.

Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?

A: Spend time with my husband, children and grandchildren; Camp, hike and be outdoors, Facilitate skills classes and mentor and coach women.

The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to​ www.sdcwa.org/board-directors

Welcome to the Board: Neal Meyers, Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Neal Meyers was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on March 20, 2023, representing the Olivenhain Municipal Water District. Meyers serves on the Administrative and Finance and Imported Water committees for the Water Authority.

 

 

 

(Editor’s Note: The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to​ www.sdcwa.org/board-directors)

Neal Meyers-Board-Olivenhain-Welcome to the Board

Welcome to the Board: Neal Meyers, Olivenhain Municipal Water District

(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.)

Welcome to the Board: Neal Meyers, Olivenhain Municipal Water District

Who: Neal Meyers was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on March 20, 2023, representing the Olivenhain Municipal Water District. Meyers serves on the Administrative and Finance and Imported Water committees for the Water Authority.

Background/Education: Meyers, a resident of Carlsbad, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in local government administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he earned Highest Honors and a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law. He represents District 5 on the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors and is also the Board treasurer. In addition to his duties as Treasurer, Meyers serves on OMWD’s Finance, Safety, and Ad Hoc Insurance committees. He holds a certificate from the Special District Leadership Academy, and he was awarded a Certificate in Special District Governance from the California Special Districts Association. Member: The State Bar of California and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

Water Industry Affiliations: Director, CalDesal Association, AdHoc Insurance Committee Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA).

Q & A

Q: How did you get interested in water issues?

A: My first interest in water issues was from the severe drought in the mid-1970s while growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area and then from the Proposition 9 peripheral canal vote while I studied local government as an undergraduate. After starting my professional career in San Diego County, I was privileged to represent many water agencies, where I gained a great appreciation of their many challenges, now exacerbated by severe periods of water shortages. I am very appreciative of the opportunity I now have to assist my local community and the region to work on those issues in a policy-making role.

Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?

A: Maintaining a safe and reliable water supply at affordable rates. We must find ways to leverage San Diego County’s forward-thinking investments in water infrastructure into a workable long-term business model that keeps water rates under control. Higher rates are not good for anyone, and we must especially must keep in mind the disproportionate burden higher rates have on low-income ratepayers and the underserved. We should also spend more time looking at developing greater coordination and sharing of resources between our many county public utility agencies.

Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?

A: Removing barriers to affordable housing, appropriately allocating transportation infrastructure resources, and maintaining high-quality, affordable education at all levels throughout our region.

Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?

A: Family, friends, exercise, and travel. I figure if I can keep that all in balance, I will be around for a while to think about water.

The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to​ www.sdcwa.org/board-directors

Welcome to the Board: Clint Baze, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District

Clint Baze was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 25, 2023, representing the Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District. Clint Baze is the General Manager of the Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District.

Clint Baze-Clint-Board-Welcome to the Board

Welcome to the Board: Clint Baze, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District

(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.)

Welcome to the Board: Clint Baze, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District

Who: Clint Baze was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 25, 2023, representing the Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District. Baze serves on the Administrative and Finance and Water Planning and Environmental committees for the Water Authority.

Background/Education: Clint Baze is the General Manager of the Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District. He received a Bachelor of Science degree, Organization Leadership, from Asusa Pacific University, and an Associate in Arts, Water Technology, from Palomar College. Baze also holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator Certification, State Water Resources Control Board, a Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator Certification, State Water Resources Control Board and is a Certified Pipeline Welder by the American Welding Society.

Water Industry Affiliations: American Water Works Association, California Water Environment Association, American Public Works Association, North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition, Water Education Foundation, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, California Association of Sanitation Districts, Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance Authority, California Special Districts Association.

Q & A

Q: How did you get interested in water issues?

A: I was born in Riverside County and as a Southern California native, I was raised in the sunshine of both Riverside and San Diego counties. I enjoyed a childhood filled with expansive wide-open spaces, horses, and old pickup trucks.  While attending high school, I signed up for the Regional Occupational Program and became a certified pipeline welder. After graduation, my first “real” job was a position as a production welder for a major water meter manufacturing company. A short time later in 1984, when I was 20 years young, I was recovering from an injury sustained during competition at one of the many regional rodeos in which I participated. A friend stopped by to check in on me and happened to share a job announcement for a welder position with the Rainbow Municipal Water District. It was then it dawned on me that a career in water would certainly be a lot less painful than a career as a rodeo professional, and equally as intriguing.

Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?

A: My greatest priority as a San Diego County Water Authority Board (SDCWA) member is, first and foremost, to fully participate in the decision-making responsibilities of a Board member. As a general manager and board member, it is up to me to ensure that Rincon Water customers are well represented and that the policies we set at the SDCWA are made in the best interests of our community. I am proud to serve an organization that is known as a leader with California’s complex issues relative to water supplies, treatment, diversity, conservation, and water recycling.

Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?

A: 1. If you are to break down the cost of water and compare it to other human wants and needs you will find that it is still comparatively cheap, however, if you rely on it for commercial, industrial, or farming, the price is almost unbearable. Safe, reliable, and affordable water may no longer be realistic. 2. The cost of energy in the region will most likely cause people to relocate. The routine price hikes of natural gas and electricity in San Diego affects all other services and raises the bar beyond reach. 3. Affordable housing is my third concern. The high cost of housing has created a situation where thousands of San Diego County workers commute here from Riverside and Orange counties. This creates havoc on the freeway resulting in excessive emissions, impedes emergency responses, and causes an increase in traffic accidents.

Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?

A: If you guessed open spaces, horses, and old pickup trucks, you’d be right, but I’ve added chickens, turkeys, dogs, cats, and rabbits to that mix. But the greatest joys in my life are my lovely wife and creative daughter. And thanks to my daughter and her talents as a special effects makeup artist, you can catch us at Comic-Con or other similar conventions deeply engrossed in cosplay.

The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to​ www.sdcwa.org/board-directors

Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Kyle Swanson was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 11, 2023, representing the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Swanson serves on the Administrative and Finance, Legislation and Public Outreach and Water Conservation Garden JPA committees for the Water Authority.

Kyle Swanson-Welcome to the Board-Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District

(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.)

Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Who: Kyle Swanson was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 11, 2023, representing the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Swanson serves on the Administrative and Finance, Legislation and Public Outreach and Water Conservation Garden JPA committees for the Water Authority.

Background/Education: Swanson, a native of San Diego, earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from San Diego State University. He is the CEO/General Manager of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and previously served as Executive Director of the East County Advanced Water Purification Project. He holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator Certification and a Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator Certification, both from the State Water Resources Control Board. Swanson is also a Certified Public Manager and a Certified Special District Manager, SDLF.

Water Industry Affiliations:
WateReuse California, Member Board of Trustees; American Water Works Association (AWWA); California Water Environment Association (CWEA); Association California Water Agencies (ACWA); and California Special Districts Association (CSDA).

Q & A

Q: How did you get interested in water issues?

A: As a San Diego Native my interest in water started at a young age.  I was fortunate to have a family actively involved in the construction of large civil water treatment and conveyance infrastructure in the southwest.  My father would routinely take me to projects providing an early respect for the facilities required to deliver safe and reliable water to our taps.  My education and career followed with a water interest studying and working in hydrology and later with public water utilities.  Water is both powerful and transformational; the issues relating are also equally so.

Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?

A: Ensuring future generations benefit from our efforts towards water resiliency, development of local water supplies and the continual investment in a robust water system.

Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?

A: Cost of Living, Resource Stewardship, Societal Collaboration

Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?

A: I’m an avid outdoor enthusiast.  I enjoy camping with my family, exploring the natural beauty, riding mountain bikes and restoring cars.  San Diego offers the perfect playground.  We all need to take more time to pause our days and enjoy those around us and the environment we live in.

The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to​ www.sdcwa.org/board-directors

Welcome to the Board: Ismahan Abdullahi, City of San Diego

Ismahan Abdullahi was seated on the Board of Directors on January 25, 2021, representing the City of San Diego. Director Abdullahi serves on the Administrative and Finance and Engineering and Operations committees for the Water Authority.

Ismahan Abdullahi-City of San Diego-Welcome to the Board

Welcome to the Board: Ismahan Abdullahi, City of San Diego

Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.

Welcome to the Board: Ismahan Abdullahi, City of San Diego

Who: Ismahan Abdullahi was seated on the Board of Directors on January 25, 2021, representing the City of San Diego. Director Abdullahi serves on the Administrative and Finance and Engineering and Operations committees for the Water Authority.

Background/Education: Abdullahi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology at UC San Diego and a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in counseling at San Diego State University. She serves as the Executive Director of MAS-PACE (Muslim American Society-Public Affairs and Civic Engagement). She also serves on the board of local community based organizations and institutions, with more than a decade of nonprofit experience.

Q & A

Q: How did you get interested in water issues?

A: Water is life itself. It is one of the key elements that is often taken for gratitude when it is available in abundance and sought after when it is limited. My interest in water issues is deeply personal. As a refugee from Somalia, I know the impact inadequately sanitized or treated water can have on families, introducing diseases such as cholera. We’ve seen how water contaminants and unsafe water (such as the water crisis in Flint, Michigan) has disproportionately impacted Indigenous, low-income and communities of color, particularly our Black and Brown communities. As a community advocate and organizer, I’ve seen the impact that rate increases and high water bills continue to further inequities in refugee, immigrant, and poverty stricken communities. My interest in water lies in my lived experience and over a decade of engaging in community work and seeing that impact firsthand.

Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?

A: Policies and decisions made regarding water reliability, access, quality and safety have a direct impact on the lives of everyday San Diegans who are trying to thrive. I sincerely hope to bring an equity centered lens that honors both our environment and our communities. As a board member, I want us to bring forth creative solutions that meet the needs of our ratepayers and our region for generations to come. The COVID-19 crisis has further exacerbated the very inequities we knew existed before, leaving many San Diegans left with immensely high water bills. Equitable access to water, an inclusive and community centered space that prioritizes ratepayers and our environment and reliable and safe water for our future remain top priorities for me.

Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?

A: Our region needs to adopt a racial equity framework in how it conducts business. In our region, we are facing a worsening housing crisis, climate emergency and the lack of a guaranteed living wage for the very people that are the backbone of our economy. We must be bold in our solutions and intersectional in facing our challenges. We cannot tackle our issues as a region without an intersectional equity framework.

Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?

A: My passion outside of working is to enjoy nature and reading. A nice walk at the beach, hike or quality time spent with loved ones in the outdoors is always a joy and a blessing.

The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to www.sdcwa.org/board-directors.