Page 68 - CASA - ED - AMB 05 30 19

Venu Kolli

Wednesday, May 29, 2019
1:03 PM

1. Why are you interested in the ED opportunity with CASA?

My resume shows that I have been working in the Wastewater industry for 27 years. That is my passion. I have been working
on improving water quality for stormwater and recycled water and various biosolids. As a consultant I have gotten to know
municipalities and districts. If I am able to work with politicians I think I can close the gap between consulting engineers and
policy makers. I feel that it would be a great opportunity for me to help the folks who work in water quality basically.

2. Please describe your most recent position and day-to-day responsibilities.

For the last two years I have been working as an area manager / business sector leader. I work with the 50 staff profession-
al group: engineers, designers - to deliver projects that improve water quality. In addition to that , I engage in attending
stakeholder meetings, and attend meetings to understand what their needs are. I go and meet with them either in an office
setting or in professional associations to understand industry needs and how we can help projects. Engage stakeholders and
deliver projects.

3. What is your assessment regarding current water, climate and other environmental issues California is facing and how do
you think CASA can best address these issues?

I think the main thing, at least right now, drought is always a big issue for California. One of the things I think every agency,
especially being from Southern California that this is something we are facing. Working with the City of LA - designing tech-
nologies that are going to help with potable reuse. I think treating every drop of water that goes to the ocean will be a major
driver. Sustainability is where we are headed. The other thing is biosolids point of view - how can we get the best use of bio-
solids - being a member for the last 20 years they have been doing that - helping people understand the issues and figuring
out where we can go. Maybe engaging more stakeholders could help like consulting engineers and municipalities and figuring
out sustainable solutions and how we can achieve water quality. As environmental engineers we are team members - that's
where I see the industry is going.

4. Please describe the roles in which you have had a relationship with a board of directors, and what your role was in those
examples. Can you provide an example of when you have had to research a policy, legislative or regulatory item and present
your findings to the Board?

In my role I am involved with public board members - one of the things I would like to mention - it is a small agency - Mission
Springs Water District - but things are very critical because they haven't seen treatment plant's that are more modern. Meet-
ing with them and explaining to them how policy is changing - how you have to start looking into limiting chemicals, and how
the policies are going to affect them and how they have to get ready. That is one of the things that I feel was an achievement
from my perspective - was educating their engineers and getting them pointed in the right direction. With the City of LA, I
presented their stormwater captures to the Board. That's the kind of engagement I have in changing the day to day opera-
tions of what the City does.

5. Please describe your management experience and your approach to employee development and evaluation. (as a follow
up if needed: Describe the most challenging human resources issue you have faced.)

I went and got an MBA in finance and strategy, which helped me understand how organizations work, what their goals and