The “Water Statesperson of the Year” award recipient is selected for outstanding achievements in building alliances in the RWA service area. The awardee(s) can be from any profession or employment, and need not be an RWA member/participant. This award is intended to recognize specific “timely achievements” during the award year. This award was established in 2001.
2022
John Woodling, GEI, Interim Executive Director of the South Central Groundwater Authority accepts the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
2021
Anne Sanger from the City of Sacramento accepts the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
2020
Kristin White from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Kerry Schmitz from the Sacramento County Water Agency accept the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
2019
Paul Schubert, General Manager – Northern District with Golden State Water Company accepts the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
2018
Ryan Bezerra, a partner with the firm Bartkiewicz, Kronick and Shanahan accepts the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
2017
Jim Peifer, Senior Engineer for the City of Sacramento; and Andy Fecko, Director of Resource Development for the Placer County Water Agency, received the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
2016
Debra Sedwick, General Manager of the Del Paso Manor Water District, received the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
2015
Tom Gohring, Executive Director of the Water Forum, received the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
Regional Water Authority Recognizes Regional Leadership. – – (January 2, 2015)
Sean Bigley, Government Relations Analyst for the City of Roseville; and Rob Swartz RWA’s Manager of Technical Services accept the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
Regional Water Authority Honors Einar Maisch in 2013. – – (December 16, 2013)
Einar Maisch, Director of Strategic Affairs from the Placer County Water Agency, accepts the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
Regional Water Authority Honors Lisa Brown in 2011. – – (December 13, 2011)
Lisa Brown, Water Efficiency Administrator for the City of Roseville, accepts the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
Regional Water Authority Honors Ryan Bezerra in 2009. – – (December 17, 2008)
Ryan Bezerra, a partner with the firm Bartkiewicz, Kronick and Shanahan accepts the Water Statesperson of the Year Award for 2009.
2008
Regional Water Authority Honors Shauna Lorance in 2008. – – (December 17, 2008)
Shauna Lorance, San Juan Water District General Manager accepts the Water Statesperson of the Year Award for 2008.
Regional Water Authority Honors Nugent, Roscoe in 2007. – – (December 7, 2007)
Steven Nugent, Carmichael Water District General Manager and Rob Roscoe, Sacramento Suburban Water District General Manager accept the Water Statesperson of the Year Award for 2007.
Regional Water Authority Honors McCormack, Roccucci in 2006. – – (December 13, 2006)
Pauline Roccucci, former director for the Placer County Water Agency, receives the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
James McCormack, retired from the Sacramento Water Forum, receives the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
Regional Water Authority Honors Hall, Bartkiewicz as Water Statespersons of the Year. – – (December 9, 2005)
Stephen Hall, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and Paul Bartkiewicz, attorney with Bartkiewicz, Kronick and Shanahan accept the Water Statesperson of the Year Award for 2005.
Regional Water Authority honors Derrick Whitehead as Water Statesperson of the Year. – – (December 13, 2004)
Derrick Whitehead, environmental utilities director of the City of Roseville receives the Water Statesperson of the Year Award for 2004.
Dave Breninger, general manager of the Placer County Water Agency (left) receives the Water Statesperson of the Year Award from Rich Plecker, general manager, Fair Oaks Water District.
John Woodling, chief of the Conjunctive Water Management Branch of the Department of Water Resources (left), Vanessa Nishikawa, supervising engineer, Montgomery Watson Harza, and Ed Winkler, RWA Executive Director receive the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
Rich Plecker, general manager of the Fair Oaks Water District was selected as the first recipient of the Water Statesperson of the Year Award.
