Page 36 - BACWA - ED - AMB 12 02 19

November 7, 2019

emergency water conservation and safe, accessible, and affordable water. During the
drought, my work as a spokesperson for the Water Board was featured in the New York
Times, Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, and local affiliates, and Water Deeply,
among other media outlets. Furthermore, I serve frequently as a panelist on topics of water
affordability, water loss control, and climate change. Over the past three years, I have
spoken at diverse venues including water association conferences, the Commonwealth
Club, the Los Angeles Business Federation, and UC Berkeley.

Having directed multiple program and policy development initiatives, I possess the
management acumen necessary to direct BACWA’s staff and maintain respectful
relationships with the Executive Board members. Over the past four years as the Water
Board’s Climate and Conservation Manager I have hired and effectively led five talented
and diverse staff, overseen attorney work products, and managed over $1 million in
contracts annually. Furthermore, I have worked effectively with the five appointed Water
Board members and other appointees at the California Environmental Protection Agency
and the Governor’s Office.

My existing professional relationships with regulators, academics, non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), and others would allow me to elevate BACWA’s
visibility and advance its vision, mission, goals, and commitments. For the past several
years I have served as a liaison to ReNUWIt and have collaborated with key faculty at
Stanford and UC Berkeley on research ideas and government and utility partnerships.
Moreover, I know the leaders of regional NGOs, such as the San Francisco Estuary Institute
and Save the Bay, along with representatives from larger NGOs, such as the Natural
Resources Defense Council and California Coastkeeper Alliance, and would use those
relationships to seek out opportunities for agreement and collaboration on issues from
nutrient management to sea level rise. I also possess strong working relationships with staff
and Board Members at the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board and with
civil service staff at USEPA Region IX. I am well positioned to advocate for BACWA
interests and initiatives.

Having served as both a regulator and ratepayer advocate, I understand the
challenges inherent to operating a successful wastewater utility. Moreover, I possess the
policy expertise, communications skills, and relationships necessary to successfully guide
BACWA in the regulatory, policy, legislative, community, and media spheres. As Governor
Newsom charts a new course on water issues, BACWA members have a tremendous
opportunity to contribute to regional and statewide public policy goals while expanding
ratepayer and public confidence. I welcome the challenge of leading BACWA, and I have
what it takes to deliver excellent results for its member agencies.

Sincerely,

Max Gomberg