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May 16, 2019

CASA Executive Search Committee,

It is with great enthusiasm that I submit my application to serve as CASA’s next Executive Director. I
have had the privilege of providing legal, regulatory, an operations services to CASA for over seven
years, and would consider it an honor and a challenge to lead the next chapter in the association’s
evolution as a leading and respected voice for California’s clean water agencies. Having worked
alongside the current Executive Director I have a unique understanding of what it will take to lead CASA
in the years to come.

In many respects, I am already performing many of the functions expected of the incoming Executive
Director and have relevant experience in several key areas. My experience within the organization
includes management of our legal, legislative, regulatory, communications, operations and program
planning functions. In fact, there is not a single area of CASA operations that I have not had an
opportunity to participate in (and in many cases, lead) over the last seven years. Attached for your
reference are specific descriptions of my applicable experience in response to the job description. Also
attached are highlights of the ways in which I exhibit the personal characteristics identified as desirable
for the position.

While this information establishes that I meet the criteria established for the position, it serves largely as
background for the committee. More important than the specific roles I have played in the past is the
ability to articulate a vision for the organization’s future. I believe I have the necessary understanding of
where CASA has been, where we are today, and an appropriate vision for leading CASA into the future. I
look forward to discussing this in more depth as part of the interview process.

The reality is that changing leadership, particularly when the outgoing Executive Director is so well
respected and such an instrumental part of where the organization is today, will inherently be disruptive
in and of itself. Knowing the organization, knowing our staff, knowing our partners, knowing our Board,
knowing our key issues: all of these things will allow me to hit the ground running and continue to
provide maximum value to our members with minimal disruption.

This is not to say that I would rely too heavily on the status quo as CASA’s next leader. To the contrary, I
have many of my own ideas about how we can improve as an organization and become even better
than we are today. Fundamentally, however, I understand what makes CASA such a great organization,
and the proper approaches to incorporating those new ideas without losing what works. CASA’s
membership is at historically high levels, we are taking on more major legislative and regulatory issues
than ever before, and we have a cohesive and dedicated staff. I believe I am best suited to continuing
that good work.

CASA is first and foremost a membership association. The organization draws its strength from among
its members, and our mission is centered around providing continuing value to our agencies and
associates. The positive relationships CASA and its staff have built with these members is the most
valuable currency the leader of such an organization can rely upon. I hope to demonstrate through the
interview process that I have developed the types of meaningful relationships that serve as the
foundation for successfully leading our association.