A select group of early to mid-career professionals from a variety of water stakeholder groups were selected as members for the 2017 class of the highly respected William R. Gianelli Water Leaders program.

The yearlong program, organized by the Water Education Foundation, began Jan. 23 with an orientation at the Foundation’s office in Sacramento. Here are the class members:

• Richard Aragon, Director of Finance/Treasurer, Rancho California Water District
• Arturo Barajas Jr., Legislative Aide, California State Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno (31st District)
• Ali Barsamian, Associate, WaterSmart Software
• Lyndsey Bloxom, Communications & Education Services Representative, The Water Replenishment District of Southern California
• Megan Brooks, Environmental Scientist, Delta Stewardship Council
• Ian Buck, Senior Water Resources Engineer, MWH Global
• Heidi Chou, Associate Civil Engineer, East Bay Municipal Utility District
• Michael Cook, Regional Director, River Partners
• Elisabeth Esposito, Natural Resources Attorney, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP
• Marcia Ferreira, Associate Resource Specialist, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
• Ana Lucia Garcia Briones, Project Manager, Environmental Defense Fund
• Andree Johnson, Senior Water Resources Specialist, Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency
• Anusha Kashyap, Water Resources Engineer, CDM Smith
• Angela Llaban, Senior Environmental Scientist, California Department of Parks and Recreation
• Sara Maatta, Water Operations Analyst, Alameda County Water District
• Sami Nall, Water Resources Engineer, California Department of Water Resources
• Gina Nicholls, Associate Attorney, Nossaman LLP
• Donald Portz, Lead Fisheries Biologist, Bureau of Reclamation
• Patrick Scott, Environmental Scientist, California Department of Water Resources
• Oliver Symonds, Public Information Specialist, Contra Costa Water District
• Bobby Vera, Associate Engineer, West Yost Associates

The Water Leaders program began in 1997 and several of the “Water Leaders” have gone on to achieve top positions in their companies, the state Legislature, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Each class member this year will be assigned to shadow and interview a prominent water stakeholder – with the goal of matching students and mentors from different communities. Class members attend Foundation tours and briefings as they research and develop an oral presentation to be presented to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Last year’s Water Leaders class studied strategies for achieving water sustainability. Click here to read their report.

This year’s class will study the future of water storage in California.

Congratulations to the selected 2017 Water Leaders!