Manage the day-to-day operations of the External Affairs group, including Legislative Services, Media, Conservation and Community Outreach, Customer Services, and External Affairs’ Business Management Team.

Provide vision and leadership for the California Water Commission, whose nine members are appointed by the Governor and represent a broad array of water and resources management interests. Plan, organize, and direct Commission activities to provide a public forum for water issues, and help develop policies that support integrated and sustainable water resource management and a healthy environment. Supervise Commission staff and coordinate with stakeholders and representatives from public, private and non-profit agencies to identfiy, research, analyze, present, and recommend policy issues and actions.

Manage and help direct California’s statewide water management policies and programs for water supply reliability, environmental protection and sustainability, ecosystem restoration and conservation projects, flood protection, integrated regional water management, climate change impacts, and critical infrastructure investments.

Direct communications program for statewide water management issues including climate change, Delta sustainability, water supply reliability, conservation, flood and drought. Spokesperson on key initiatives and events. Supervise media relations team, public outreach, design, video and photo services.

Managed federal grants and state funds for hazardous waste cleanup programs. Directed communication activities, media relations, outreach and stakeholder assistance. Strengthened department’s nationally-recognized public participation program to more effectively involve communities in decision-making and environmental justice issues.

Policy advisor to board chairman. Worked with local officials, citizen groups, business community and news media on solid waste management projects, and related environmental and land use planning activities.

Liaison to 70 state agencies and departments on major policy initiatives with emphasis on education, environment, international trade, public safety and economic development. Researched and wrote over 400 speeches.