CV Water Counts congratulates previous graduates of the Water Counts Academy.

The Water Counts Academy is designed for current and emerging leaders in the Coachella Valley who want to learn about the lifeblood of our valley—its water resources.

We are excited to offer this comprehensive course that will cover the history, use and management of water here in the Coachella Valley

Stay tuned for details on the next Water Counts Academy Class.

PROGRAM ALUMNI

Class of 2024

Class of 2023

  • Gregg Akkerman, Doctor
  • Ken Alexander
  • Julie Arthur, Executive Director of Facilities Planning, Palm Springs Unified School District
  • Spencer Ballard, Retired
  • Jim Barnett, PH.D. in Biomedical Sciences, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Retired
  • Maria Colorado, Lead Gardener, Vintage Landscape
  • Tyrus Curtis
  • Jared Dawson, Water Resources Associate, Coachella Valley Water District
  • Andi Denney
  • Mike Duran, President, Sanitation District Board of Directors
  • Steven Duran, Duran’s Termite & Pest Control, Inc.
  • Michael Erlinger
  • Juan Fernandez
  • Trina Hamby, Environmental Consumer Protection Manager, Imperial County Public Health, Environmental Health Division
  • Julie Henderson, California Naturalist
  • Jackson Kulevich, Xavier College Preparatory
  • Peter Kulevich, Student, Xavier College Preparatory
  • Eric Langhirt, Computer Sciences Corporation, Retired
  • Eric Lemus, Event Producer, C.U.S.P. Agency
  • Cesar Lopez Barreras, Indio High School
  • Amanda Lucas, Administrative Assistant, Operations, Mission Springs Water District
  • Craig Mahaffey, Hydrologist/Environmental Planner, USDA-FS, Retired
  • Dori Petee, Executive Assistant, Mission Springs Water District
  • Jim Robinette
  • Jorge Sandoval, Business Development Representative, Ewing Outdoor Supply
  • Dan Schultz, Red Jeep Tours
  • Steve Scott, Physician, Retired, UC Riverside Master Gardener
  • Jane Stevens
  • Larry Tubor, Managing Director/Flight Operations, Birds Eye Aerial Drones, LLC
  • Maribel Uribe, Bookkeeping/Accounts Payable, Myoma Dunes Water District
  • Marco Uribe, Meter and Valve Tech 3, Coachella Valley Water District
  • Xavier Vasquez, Formen, Vintage Landscape
  • Abraham Vega, Environmental Programs Manager, City of Coachella
  • Felipe Vega, Environmental Health Compliance Specialist II, Imperial County Public Health Department
  • Miguel Vidal, CVGS, Inc.
  • Susan Wells, Project Engineer, Western Allied Corp.

  • Paula Alcantar, Education Associate, Coachella Valley Water District
  • Sharon Bailey-Cones, Supervisor, SB Transportation
  • Michael Branstetter, Retired
  • Marco Davalos, Water Operator, Myoma Dunes Water Company
  • Kevin Fitzgerald, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Southern California Golf Association
  • Lisa Francis, Water Management Specialist, Coachella Valley Water District
  • Carlos Garcia, President, Garcia Research
  • Tammy Gordon, Public Information Manager, Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
  • Mathew Grigsby, Water Management Aide, Coachella Valley Water District
  • Malu Huerta, Consultant
  • Carol Kuluva
  • Randy Kuluva
  • Alejandro Lara, Route Sales Representative, Transcold Distribution
  • Juan López, Communications Specialist
  • William Marshall, Retired
  • Daniel Martin, Water Management Specialist, Coachella Valley Water District
  • Sam Martin, Member, The Fairways HOA
  • Juleen McElgunn, Landscape Chair, Kings Point HOA
  • Janet Meade Ross
  • Elizabeth Meyerhoff, Project Manager – Planning, Michael Baker International
  • Kari Morford, Owner, Desert Supreme
  • Cy Nelson, Technical Writer, Infragard
  • Jean Newcomer, Former Board Treasurer, The Palms Condominium Association
  • Dennis Nye, Customer Success Manager, Learning.com
  • Patricia O’Shea-Betker, Retired
  • Danielle Peltier, Assistant Project Manager – Water, Michael Baker International
  • Juan Ponce-Ramos
  • Dan Powers, Supervisor, Vintage Associates
  • Jamie Pricer, Communication Specialist, Coachella Valley Water District
  • Jim Robinette
  • Alinizeth Rocha, Accounting Technician, Indio Water Authority
  • Steve Sanchez, Councilman, City of La Quinta
  • Michael Seneka, Senior Hydrologic Specialist, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
  • Don Straube, Landscape & Architecture Committee Chair, Andreas Hills HOA
  • James Stubbs, Indian Ridge PUD Board
  • Conrad Trembath, Office Assistant, Myoma Dunes Water Company
  • Ernye Valenciano, Public Affairs & Water Planning Coordinator, Desert Water Agency
  • Fernando Villa, Environmental Health Specialist, County of Imperial
  • Pamela Wallace, Vice President, Dorado Villas HOA
  • Melinda Weinrich, Outreach and Conservation Manager, Desert Water Agency
  • David Wolfe, Retired
  • Cindy Zehnder, Consultant, Public Affairs, Gorden Thomas Honeywell Law

Class of 2022

Water Counts Academy Class of 2022

      • Lisha Astorga, Owner/Manager, Desert Straw House
      • Gary Burns (Retired)
      • Patricia Clayes, UCCE Master Gardener, Garden and Floral Arrangers Guild
      • Lisa Coghlan
      • Randy Evans, Palm Springs Sustainability Commission
      • Jeff Faxon, Self-Employed
      • Matthew Frazier, Qualified Stormwater Manager, EnviroCert International, Inc.
      • Michaeleen Gallagher, Director, Education and Environmental Programs, Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands
      • Omar Gastelum, Policy Advocate, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability
      • Christine Hammond, Volunteer/Community Advocate, Milkweed for Monarchs
      • Stuart Hellebrand, Griffin Ranch Committees
      • Mary Hones, Director
      • Erin Elizabeth Hyland, Membership & Community Liaison, Desert Valleys Builders Association
      • Karina Jaquez, Communications and Conservation Administrative Assistant, Coachella Valley Water District
      • Terence Kissack, Director, Prospect Development, University Development and Alumni Relations, UC Berkeley
      • Rebecca Laszlo
      • Justin Lindemer, Water Management Intern, Coachella Valley Water District
      • Cathy Liss
      • Victoria Llort, Government & Regional Affairs Coordinator, Coachella Valley Water District
      • Peter Loforte, Vice President, Microsoft
      • Samantha Lopez, Controller, Desert Water Agency
      • Anetha Lue, Sustainability Commissioner, District 2, City of Indio
      • Marcie Maxwell, (Retired), Volunteer, Dorado Villas HOA board member, Indian Wells
      • Debbi McDill
      • Ignacio Moreno, Utility Forester/C27 Landscape Contractor, ECI Environmental Consultant
      • Rebecca Navarre, Native Gardens Navarre
      • Jeff Nelson, Hydrogeologist/Principal, VHB, Board Secretary – Parc Andreas HOA, Palm Springs
      • Dan Powers, Supervisor, Vintage Landscape
      • Karen Quintanilla, Councilmember, City of Palm Desert
      • Vilma Raettig (Retired), Master Gardener
      • Erik Rapolla, Water Service Foreman, Desert Water Agency
      • Vanessa Ramirez, Environmental Health Compliance Specialist III, Imperial County Public Health Department – Division of Environmental Health
      • Jim Robinette (Retired Navy Officer)
      • Alinizeth Rocha, Accounting Technician I, Indio Water Authority
      • Rocio Rochin-Reyes, Water Management Aide, Coachella Valley Water District
      • Bernard Rottner, Vice Chair, Los Compadres Neighborhood Group–Non profit volunteer
      • Ilima Segoviano, Soil Conservationist, USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service
      • Joseph Sexson, Civil/Agricultural Engineer, USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service
      • Mike Terry, Ag Consultant, NextGen Methods
      • James Thompson, Chair Elect, Coachella Valley Master Gardeners, Riverside County Master Gardeners
      • Ralph Thompson-Cantua, Master Gardener, Riverside County Master Gardeners
      • Velia Vela, Accounts Receivable, Myoma Dunes Water Company

Class of 2021

Water Counts Academy Class of 2021

      • Celeste Alonzo, General Manager, Junior Enterprises
      • Barbara Amsbury
      • Marilena Bocanfuso (Retired)
      • Prema Bhavireddy
      • Christopher Brodwell, Board Member/Secretary, Canyon Estates HOA
      • Carol Fleming-Berberet, Desert Edge Water Clerk (Retired), former Board Member, ILWA
      • Matthew Frazier, Expert Certified Water Manager, CA Landscape Contractors Association, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
      • David Freedman, Commissioner, Palm Springs Sustainability Commission
      • Francisco Gabela, Tutor
      • Mark Guidry, Owner, Business Bookeeper/Accountant
      • David Haugland, Board Member, Sagewood HOA
      • Angie Hill, General Manager, Griffin Ranch
      • Kris Hopping, Human Resources Director, Desert Water Agency
      • Phil La Greca, Tour Guide, Desert Adventures
      • Wayne Martin, Secretary, HOA Board of Directors, Sunrise Racquet Club Condominiums
      • Andrew Mochulsky, Director of Compliance, Candescent
      • Carol Morin, Office Specialist II, Mission Springs Water District
      • Lisa Pelton, Customer Service Rep II, Mission Springs Water District
      • Dan Powers, Supervisor, Vintage Landscape
      • Vanessa Rivera, Community Impact Program Manager, United Way of the Desert
      • Sam Sublett, CSDWR SAC, Roseville (Retired)
      • Mary Jane Sanchez-Fulton, Professor, College of the Desert
      • Kathy Schreiber (Retired), Volunteer Committee Member, HOA Desert Garden Club
      • April Scott, Customer Service Manager, Mission Springs Water District
      • Steven Shuey, Personal Property Management (Retired), Community Association Consultant
      • Susan Smith, Broker, Desert to Sea Properties
      • Kurt St. Amant (Retired)
      • Rebecca Terrazas-Baxter, Intergovernmental Relations Director, City of Imperial
      • Jeff Vickers, Storekeeper, Coachella Valley Water District
      • Abby Winston (Retired)
      • Kathy Woodson, Registered Dental Hygienist, Michael Clapper, DDS

Class of 2020

Water Counts Academy Class of 2020

      • Jose Aguilar, Student
      • Vianka Alvarez, Customer Service Technician, Indio Water Authority
      • Bassam Alzammar, Field Operations Manager, Mission Springs Water District
      • Julie Boulet, Nurse
      • Elizabeth Campos, Communication Assistant, Coachella Valley Water District
      • Frederick Clapper, President, Plan B Design
      • Scott Connelly, Vice President of Outings, Great Outdoors Palm Springs
      • Helen Conyer, Educator, Palm Springs School District
      • Jesus Coronel, Manager, Coachella Valley Wireless, Inc.
      • Audrey Dean, Customer Service/Accounting, Myoma Dunes Water Company
      • John Demorest, DDS (Retired)
      • Sergio Espericueta, CVMVCD Board of Trustees Member, CVMVCD
      • Glenn Ford, Operations, Ford Classic Travel and Tours
      • Robbie Foster, Pest Control/Certified Crop Advisor, Foster-Gardner, Inc.
      • Elmer Friesen, Infrastructure Engineer, EB Friesen Associates Ltd. (Retired)
      • George Iniguez, Engineering Technician, City of Coachella
      • Doug Loar, Plant Manager, Veolia North America
      • Esmeralda Perez, Board Assistant, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez
      • Ilene Rubenstein, Professor, College of the Desert
      • Franchon-Marie Siddiq, Coachella Valley Resident
      • Tom Treiber, 30-Year Military Veteran (Retired)
      • CarolAnn Vega, Account Clerk, Desert Water Agency
      • Carlos Velazquez, Irrigation Specialist, Coachella Valley Resource Conservation District
      • Ralph Williams, Real Estate Professional/Former County Planner, Assessor and Real Estate Appraiser

Class of 2019

Water Counts Academy Class of 2019

      • Susanne Adamson, Master Gardener
      • Ruben Arias, Environmental Scientist, California Department of Food & Agriculture
      • Arturo Aviles, Treasurer, City of Coachella
      • Carl Bode, Chief Executive Officer
      • Suzanne Breshears, UC Riverside Master Gardener
      • Alexander Burck, Deputy Director of Public Works, Ukiah, CA (retired)
      • Angelica Cerda, Property Manager, J and H Properties
      • Michael Chilicki (retired)
      • Jeff Ellermeyer, Principle, Butterfly Plumbing and Pump
      • Helen Englert, RNMS (retired)
      • Ruben Gonzales, Banquet Manager
      • Dina Guerra, Manager, Premier Landscape & Tree Care, Inc.
      • Ann Habeger
      • Trina Hamby, Manager, Imperial County Environmental Health
      • Cheyenne Hepler, Naturalist Guide, Desert Adventures Jeep Tours
      • Jesus Herrera-Cortes, Environmental Planner/GIS Analyst, MSA Consulting, Inc.
      • Chris Hunter, President, Hunter | Johnsen
      • Brian Hurst, Author
      • Margi Jacobson, Master Gardener
      • Tamara Kozma, Master Gardener
      • Sandra Kubal, Volunteer
      • Joan Kyle-Baerman, Master Gardener
      • Damon Lawson, Palm Springs 7th Day Adventist
      • Asia Lee, Assistant Environmental Planner, MSA Consulting, Inc.
      • John McCoy, Owner, Palm Springs Resort Homes
      • Barry Mantell, M.D., Master Gardener
      • Moises Moran, Business Owner
      • Gail Nottberg, Master Gardener
      • Jani Ramesh
      • Beth Robinson
      • Don Summers, Summers Realty
      • Patrick Whan, NAI CIG Certified Tour Guid

Class of 2018

Water Counts Academy Class of 2018

      • Kelly A. Basoco, Encompass Consulting
      • Gary Burns
      • David Carter, Albert Management
      • Jorge Diaz
      • Yvonne Franco, Coachella Valley Resource Conservation District
      • Joshua A. Friedes
      • Charisse Garrido, Michael Baker International
      • Desiree Garza, USDA Farm Service Agency
      • Timothy Lee Grott, Hospitality
      • Gregg Herrell , Gregg N Herrell Inc.
      • Lindsay Holt, City of Palm Desert/The Holt Group/COD
      • Christian Inzunza, Solteris
      • Oliver Inzunza
      • Barbara Kay-Levin, Riverside County Master Gardeners
      • Donna Maul, Master Gardener, UCANR & Esq.
      • Steve McDonald
      • Jim Newell, Desert Adventures
      • Christopher Nielsen, Lavender Bistro
      • Ivan Ortiz, TKD Landscape Architects
      • Oscar Ortiz
      • Danny Powers, Vintage Associates
      • Joseph Pritchard, Down to Earth Landscaping
      • Michael Raubolt, Miragescape
      • Joey Rice, Indian Ridge HOA
      • Juan R. Segoviano, USDA-NRCS
      • Monica Telles, Riverside County EDA
      • Myra Wenzel
      • Rick Wenzel

Class of 2017

Water Counts Academy Class of 2017

    • Francisco Alcocer, Michael Baker International
    • Nora Eliza Ayala, KLS Resorts
    • Thom Bettinger
    • Burton Boss
    • Sue Bunten
    • Roy Clark, Palm Springs Sustainability Commission
    • Eric Cowle, CVAG
    • Mike Erlinger, Harvey Mudd College
    • Liz Glass, Las Palmas Realty
    • Bente Jensen
    • De Karlen, Desert Adventures & Desert Institute in Joshua Tree National Park
    • Tracy Merrigan, Desert Horticultural Society of the Coachella Valley
    • Paul Ortega, Paul Ortega Landscape Design
    • Janell Percy, Growing Coachella Valley
    • Jose Luis Raya, Michael Baker International
    • Greg Rodriguez, Supervisor V. Manuel Perez
    • Kimber Rose
    • David William Ross
    • Steven Shuey, Personalized Property Management
    • Marcia Stone
    • Elizabeth Stowe, Esri