Staff Recognition

Sustained Superior Accomplishment Award

Angela Wilson, Engineering Geologist
Drew Coe, Engineering Geologist
Debra Hallis, Engineering Geologist
Matthew Boone, Environmental Scientist

Angela Wilson has served on the Board of Forestry’s Interagency Mitigation Monitoring program for over two years and the Road Rules adoption committee for approximately the same time. Angela has been instrumental in fostering improved interagency coordination and her participation in these committees has been acknowledged by CalFire management as invaluable to our coordinated missions to protect forested watersheds.

Drew, Debra, Matt and Angela have spent personal time (weekends and evenings) attending Forester group meetings to encourage informal feedback on the Waiver and MRP process. These employees have also spent significant time attending meetings with sister agencies discussing various processes and coordinating for consistent protection of water quality throughout the State of California.

These four award recipients have developed improved outreach methods, including a comprehensive website with simple to follow instructions for waiver enrollment and a brochure. These individuals provide consistent, clear, enforceable guidance to landowners, foresters and other interagency staff while working with a relatively new Timber Harvest Waiver policy. The efforts of Angela, Drew, Debra, and Matthew, to treat everyone with respect while ensuring the greatest protection of water quality in the important watersheds of the Central Valley Regional Water Board are to be commended. Congratulations!

Superior Accomplishment Awards

James is receiving the Superior Accomplishment Award due to his outstanding work as the project manager and as a key contributor for the McClellan Air Force Base completion of the early transfer with privatized cleanup agreement – the first in the nation for a federal superfund site. Both the U.S. EPA and the Governor’s Office approved the early transfer as being suitable and protective of human health and the environment. A signing ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of highly complex and intricate negotiations, spanning a four year period. His strong technical oversight and communication skills allowed him to successfully navigate through two years of formal dispute with the Air Force to ensure that the Final Base-wide Volatile Organic Compound Groundwater Record of Decision (ROD) for McClelland AFB was fully protective of groundwater. The ROD represented a major milestone in the cleanup of the former Air Base.

In addition to his oversight work at McClellan AFB, James has exceeded his job requirements by actively contributing to and participating in the development and testing of new technologies. At the 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists this past September, James presented “Protocols for Use of Five Passive Samplers to Sample for a Variety of Contaminants in Groundwater”. He is a member of the Passive Sampler Team of the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council, with is a state-led coalition working together with industry and stakeholders to achieve regulatory acceptance of environmental technologies.

Jeff is being honored with the Superior Accomplishment Award due to his outstanding performance in the Underground Tank Unit of the Fresno Office.

Jeff has an exceptional work ethic that has served him and the Regional Water Board very well. Between October 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007, Jeff took on a significant enforcement effort that resulted in the issuing of six Cleanup and Abatement Orders (CAOs).Jeff does an excellent job of getting sites investigated, cleaned up, and closed. He quickly identifies what needs to be done and how to get it done in a time and cost effective way. Jeff uses a proactive approach on getting work projects on track and moving. He consistently produces high quality work products and is always willing to take on new tasks. His consistent efforts have lead the way in streamlining the enforcement process in the UGT Unit in Fresno.

Greg is receiving the Superior Accomplishment Award for his work on the General Order for Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) General Permit Program.

When this program began, Greg took the initiative to become familiar with the order and attended training classes that were developed for the dischargers. He also provided in-house training for the Redding Office staff on what was required in the General Order. Greg has been a great resource to the Redding Office staff and the dischargers. He assists dischargers in obtaining their passwords and user ids, and provides information on training and how to enter information into the CIWQS database. Since this order was rolled out sequentially throughout the State, there was an observed 80% non-compliance rate in other regions. Greg’s notification efforts to the Redding area dischargers resulted in virtually full compliance with the new regulations.

Additionally, Greg’s ability to conduct difficult facility inspections has earned him recognition by the State Water Board’s Compliance and Enforcement Unit. He has been interviewed for inclusion as a “Super Inspector” in the unit’s proposed elite inspector designation.

April 2008 - Employee of the Month Recipients

Sacramento Office

• Marty Hartzell, Engineering Geologist, Timber/Storm Water Compliance and Enforcement
  (Supervisor, Sue McConnell)
  After the Timber Waiver was adopted, Marty helped train both private and federal groups who would be impacted by or working with the Waiver. He developed an efficient, internal tracking system for timber harvest activities on Forest Service and private lands. He takes a significant amount of initiative in helping shape our timber program by creating template letters for informal enforcement actions and coordinating with the other timber staff in the Central Valley Region as well as other Regional Boards. Marty developed the only in-stream monitoring effort conducted by timber staff in our Region. Additionally, he has helped to alleviate the strain on storm water staff by conducting some storm water inspections during the wet season.

  Marty is always courteous and professional, whether he is interacting with co-workers, dischargers or the public at large. He is the consummate team player and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Marty consistently maintains a positive attitude and makes the work place more pleasant by his presence. Congratulations!

• Guy Childs, Engineering Geologist, Compliance and Enforcement
  (Supervisor, Steve Rosenbaum)
  With the recent reorganization that took effect in February 2008, Guy became responsible for compliance and enforcement activities at more than 200 Non-15 sites covering eight counties. Guy has vigorously tackled his new assignments as evidenced by his output during late March and April. During this time, Guy wrote six Notices of Violations, prepared one ACL complaint for sewage spills, updated a monitoring and reporting program, and reviewed three groundwater monitoring well installation work plans.

  Guy’s positive attitude, coupled with his strong work ethic and broad experience in the program have smoothed the transition period for the whole unit and helped sustain unit productivity. Guy performs his work quietly and capably with modest managerial guidance. He has also maintained his commitment to customer service and is forging new working relationships with the regulated community.

• Lori Harner, Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Administrative Support Services
  (Supervisor, Linda Bracamonte)
  Lori has been a member of the administrative unit team for 13 months. Upon Lori's arrival, a new task was given to her - to create a recognition program specific to our Regional Board marrying the desires of management to recognize employees for their outstanding efforts with the existing award programs offered through State Board. The result is our Employee of the Month Award program and the subsequent process for naming the awardees of the Superior Accomplishment Award offered through State Board.

  To date, this program has now recognized 40 employees who have demonstrated above and beyond efforts in their job performance. Additionally, this program has enabled management to successfully grant six monetary awards through the Superior Accomplishment Award program.

  As the Employee of the Month coordinator, Lori is responsible for obtaining the names of nominees each month, coordinating with management on the selection, preparing the actual awards and posting them in our lobby (in the Rancho Cordova office). Lori is solely responsible for the coordination of obtaining the monetary awards through State Board as well.

  Lori serves as a key member of the Administrative Unit with many areas of responsibility including Contract Liaison. In all that she does, Lori consistently demonstrates quality customer service to both internal and external customers.

Redding Office

• Stacy Gotham, Water Resources Control Engineer, North Regulatory
  (Supervisor, Bryan Smith)
  Stacy has recently prepared several challenging NPDES permits for some of the Redding area’s largest wastewater treatment plants. This effort required original work with issues such as data availability and appropriateness, mixing zones and dilution credits, and site-specific metals translator studies. All of these permits have been adopted by the Regional Water Board. Stacy’s efforts have helped to eliminate the NPDES permitting backlog in the Redding office.

  Additionally, Stacy has worked with State Board staff to help develop future training opportunities to address advanced NPDES permitting issues. Stacy has regularly participated in education and outreach activities, as well as employee recruiting efforts, including attending university career fairs as a Regional Water Board representative. Stacy’s outreach efforts, including employee recruiting, help promote the State Water Board and allow it to hire and retain highly qualified staff.

Fresno Office

• Roberto Moreno, Associate Information Systems Analyst, Information Systems
  (Supervisor, Lonnie Wass)
  Roberto has been employed with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board since January 2001. He is the sole information technology (IT) staff person assigned to the Fresno office and acts as the Local Area Network (LAN) Administrator. Roberto’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining and upgrading the hardware and software for the Local Area Network, provide troubleshooting and analysis support for an office of 59 staff, and is the local CIWQS Coordinator.

  Recently, Roberto was an integral part in the upgrade of switches and routers for the LAN/WAN in the Fresno Office. This was a large upgrade that required Roberto to work cooperatively with State Board IT staff while every switch and router was replaced. Additionally, every single CAT-5 cable in the patch panels was replaced with new cables. This task was accomplished after working a full 8 hours on a Saturday. With this upgrade, the Fresno Office is ready for the additional T1 line that will be added sometime in August 2008. This will improve the bandwidth of the Office from 1.5 MIPS to 3.0 MIPS.

  Roberto’s knowledge and enthusiasm for his job is crucial as the sole on-site IT staff in the Fresno Office. In recent months Roberto has displayed his commitment to providing the best service possible by doing whatever it takes to get the job done, including working after hours. He never complains and has established himself as a respected and integral member of this organization. Congratulations!

May 2008 - Employee of the Month Recipients

Sacramento Office

• Barry Hilton, Water Resources Control Engineer, Compliance and Enforcement NPDES
  (Supervisor, Pat Leary)
  The Compliance and Enforcement NPDES Unit has the monumental task to catch up on seven years of backlog in assessing Mandatory Minimum Penalties for effluent limitation violations at NPDES facilities. In order to catch up on the backlog, Barry was assigned the task of putting 100% of his effort into addressing the backlog. In response, he has given at least 110%. In the last month, Barry has prepared seven ACL Complaints, and processed an additional one, for a total of eight in the Sacramento office. The total assessment was $2,343,000. Barry’s efforts have helped the organization achieve its responsibility to assess penalties for violations, and thereby encourage better compliance with permit limitations. Thank you Barry for your hard work!

Redding Office

• Jacqueline Matthews, Environmental Scientist, South Regulatory
  (Supervisor, Jim Pedri)
  Jacqueline is assigned regulatory oversight responsibility for NPDES and Non15 dischargers in Redding’s South Regulatory Unit. However, when Redding Groundwater Unit staff was contacted by the Butte County District Attorney’s office regarding illegal dumping of food processing waste in Oroville, Jacqueline volunteered to assist with the sampling inspections. Jacqueline took the initiative to determine the waste source, and disposal practices of several small food processors in the area. Recognizing the ongoing need, she helped the food processors determine appropriate disposal sites for their waste while the un-permitted dischargers evaluated their plans to continue business operations. Additionally, Jacqueline has been performing extra duty in the unit due to several vacancies.

  Jacqueline’s efforts have contributed to the education of small food processors and to the protection of water quality from the threat posed by inappropriate discharges of waste to land, and ensured that the core water quality protection functions of the South Regulatory Unit continued during an extended staffing shortage.

Fresno Office

• Jan Alfson, Engineering Geologist, Site Cleanup
  (Supervisor, Russell Walls)
  Jan has worked for the Regional Water Board for approximately 3 years. Jan has 22+ years experience in the environmental field and also has extensive experience regarding installation and completion of water wells. Jan demonstrates excellent work habits and effectiveness. He is very professional and diligent, and is timely on completing assignments. A partial list of the work Jan completed during May includes:

  • Completed eight letters/memorandums to Equilon Enterprises/Big West concerning the Bakersfield Refinery and CAO No. R5-2007-0728.
  • Completed two letters to Hilmar Cheese Company in which comments were provided on a work plan for sampling area supply wells and a granting of a due date extension for submitting the results of the phase II investigation.
  • Completed a letter to five different PRPs regarding a PCE release in Reedley and requested a work plan for investigation.
  • Observed field work at several sites.

  Jan’s technical skills and efficiency allow him to carry the largest caseload in the unit, including several of the highest profile cases. His efforts result in a large number of sites being assessed and remediated, which in turn protects water quality, the environment, and public health. Congratulations!

Seven Employees Recognized for 25-Years of State Service

The following Central Valley Water Board Employees were recently recognized for their employment with the State of California for a period of 25 years. Each received a gift and a certificate of appreciation signed by Governor Schwarzenegger and Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

• Dave Carlson, Environmental Program Manager I, NPDES Section, Sacramento Office (12/5/2005)
• Jon Marshack, Staff Environmental Scientist, Program Support Unit, Sacramento Office (3/1/2006)
• Wendy Cohen, Senior Water Resource Control Engineer, Aboveground Tanks Cleanup Unit, Sacramento Office (12/1/2006)
• George Day, Senior Water Resource Control Engineer, Stormwater & Water Quality Certification Unit, Redding Office (12/1/2006)
• Kathy Harder, Water Resource Control Engineer, San Joaquin River Watershed Unit, Sacramento Office (12/1/2006)
• Richard Loncarovich, Staff Services Manager III and Assistant Executive Officer, Sacramento Office (12/1/2006)
• Lonnie Wass, Supervising Water Resource Control Engineer, Fresno Office (7/1/2007)