Don Arnold, Santa Clara County, representing South Bay, 2020-2022
Don retired as a biologist for the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) and prior to that he was a biologist for the City of San Jose (City) at the San Jose/Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility which discharges to South San Francisco Bay. Prior to working at the City, Don was a biologist at Kinnetic Laboratories Inc. sampling San Francisco Bay for USGS in the 1980’s. At the City Don managed the Salt Marsh Conversion Program and at the SCVWD Don oversaw the management of endangered species habitat restoration projects. Don was a biological contract manager at the City and SCVWD overseeing millions of dollars in consulting and interagency agreements. These skills and experience give Don a well-grounded perspective on projects funded under Measure AA.
Nancy Cave, San Francisco County, representing West Bay, 2018-2022
Nancy retired from the California Coastal Commission where she worked for 40 years, overseeing many water quality, habitat restoration, flood protection, and public access projects. Ms. Cave retired as the North Central District Manager for the Coastal Commission, working with Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties to update local coastal plans to reflect climate change. Ms. Cave also served on a West Marin task force headed by State Senator Mike McGuire to help resolve public access conflicts.
Paul Jones (Vice Chair), San Mateo County, 2018-2022
Paul Jones retired from the US EPA where he spent 27 years working in the Water Division, Wetlands Office in Region 9. Mr. Jones has spent his entire career working on habitat restoration, flood protection, water quality, pollution reduction, and financing projects, including on the staff of the San Francisco Estuary Project. Mr. Jones represented US EPA Region 9 on the National Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Workgroup, and organized and led a team to develop the California Rapid Assessment method for wetlands and riparian areas. Mr. Jones was a grant project officer for his entire career with US EPA which has provided him with familiarity in financing, contracting, and monitoring of projects. Mr. Jones volunteers locally and has served on a variety of Boards and Committees including the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory Board of Directors, the Pacifica Land Trust Board of Directors, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Negotiated Rulemaking Committee, and the San Pedro Creek Watershed Coalition Board of Directors.
Barry Nelson, Alameda County, Member At-Large, 2018-2020
Barry Nelson has worked on issues related to San Francisco Bay for more than 30 years, including 15 years at Save the Bay, with 9 years as the Executive Director, where he worked on many habitat protection and restoration projects. Mr. Nelson also worked for 15 years at the Natural Resources Defense Council, directing and co-directing NRDC’s California water team. Most recently, Mr. Nelson has worked as an independent water policy consultant for a wide range of clients, including extensive work on flood management and restoration projects. Mr. Nelson served for 9 years as a commissioner on the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, serving also as the chair of the Bay Fill Working Group which is responsible for reviewing the Commission’s laws, policies and the Bay Plan to ensure the region is ready to meet the challenges posed by sea level rise.
Cindy Darling, Contra Costa County, representing East Bay and Chair, 2018-2020
Cindy Darling is the CFO of Darling H2O Consulting, Inc. where she focuses on water supply alternatives. Ms. Darling served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Resources Agency for four years where she worked on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. Prior to that she represented Calfed in the Bay Area, managing water supply and water quality planning efforts. Ms. Darling also spent close to 15 years as a field biologist and environmental specialist for the California Department of Fish and Game. Ms. Darling is also the current chair of the Walnut Creek Planning Commission.
Andy Rodgers, Sonoma County, representing North Bay, 2018-2020
Andy Rodgers is a consulting geologist with more than 30 years' experience evaluating, managing and monitoring groundwater and stormwater quality on behalf of public agencies, private parties, and NGOs. As past president of the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation and chair of the Sonoma County Agriculture Preservation and Open Space District’s citizen advisory committee, Mr. Rodgers has reviewed many habitat restoration projects. In addition, he is a Sonoma County Water Agency Zone 2A Flood Control Advisory Committee member, serves on the Board of the Friends of Petaluma River, and is the Executive Director of the Russian River Watershed Association.
Brian Steen, Santa Clara County, representing South Bay, 2018-2020
Brian Steen currently serves as a Community Relations Consultant, providing community outreach, capital campaign planning, and process guidance for businesses, non-profits and public agencies. As the Executive Director of the Sempervirens Fund from 1999-2008, Mr. Steen directed all land acquisition transactions and implemented fundraising campaigns. Mr. Steen managed all organizational assets, including financial, real property and commercial holdings, as well as prepared annual budgets and quarterly projections. In addition, Mr. Steen was the Executive Director of the Big Sur Land Trust from 1980-1997, where he negotiated terms and conditions of conservation easements and purchases with private and public landowners.