"As a newly elected official, our board highly recommended SDI as one of the first priorities for me. I found it invaluable and got me up to speed on what it is to be a board member."

E.S Leucadia Wastewater District

"This has been the best planned government conference I’ve attended, with useful materials to take to the workplace."

J.S., Squaw Valley public utility district

"The certificate program gives a good overview of all components of Special District Management."

K.S., South Tahoe Public utility district

"This is a fantastic user-friendly institute for the first time attende."

D.R., Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District

"Even if you have attended before, these seminars are great for recharging your enthusiasm and providing informative updates."

G.D., Oceano Community Services Director

"All critical staff should be attending the SDI seminars."

M.V., Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation and Park District

"These sessions have helped me enormously to understand and clarify my role, limitations and expectations as a newly elected official."

J.S., east Palo Alto Sanitary District

"Excellent presenters, good materials, excellent staff support and facilities."

SR.W., Brooktrials Township Community Services District

"Excellent presenters, good materials, excellent staff support and facilities."

SR.W., Brooktrials Township Community Services District

News & Documents

Check out this page for documents and information about Special Districts and Local Governments.

SEMINAR BROCHURES

Governance Seminar. February 17-18, 2011, Disneyland, Anaheim California
Advanced Studies Seminar. April 28-29, 2011, Indian Wells California

LIST OF RECENT GRADUATES OF THE CERTIFCATE PROGRAM

Presented at the Special District and Local Government Institute Finance Seminar
September 9-10, 2010 @ San Francisco, California
  • Kevin Bumen
    Director of Aviation, Truckee Tahoe Airport District
  • Gilbert Cabrera
    District Manager, Atascadero Cemetery District
  • Ginger Coleman
    Councilmember, Town of Apple Valley
  • Larry Davis
    Chief Administrative Officer, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
  • Margarita Gomez
    Board Secretary/ Administrative Services Manager, Central Basin Municipal Water District
  • Elena Hastings
    Assistant to the General Manager, Ross Valley Sanitary District
  • Douglas Headrick
    General Manager, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
  • Laurie Hill
    District Manager, Mendocino-Little River Cemetery District
  • Jennifer Keep
    Chief Financial Officer, Indian Wells Valley Water District
  • Patrick Mathews
    General Manager/CAO, Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority
  • Ginny McShane
    Director, Coastside Fire Protection District
  • Martin Melvin
    District Manager, Ventura County Resource Conservation District
  • Bill Paskle
    Fire Chief, Alpine Fire Protection District
  • Brett Richards
    General Manager, Ross Valley Sanitary District
  • Tarry Smith
    General Manager, Ambrose Recreation and Park District
  • Ed Stevenson
    Development Services Manager Alameda County Water District
  • Doris Toy
    District Manager, San Rafael Sanitation District
Presented at the Special District and Local Government Institute Administration Seminar
June 11, 2010 @ San Diego, California
  • Jennifer Ares
    Resource Sustainability Manager, Yucaipa Valley Water District
  • Cheryl Avent
    Vice President, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
  • Jennifer Chicconi
    Manager, Executive Operations, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
  • Carlos Corrales
    Controller, Castaic Lake Water Agency
  • Joan Eaton
    Office Supervisor/Board Secretary, Running Springs Water District
  • Ted Ebenkamp
    President, Walnut Valley Water District
  • Debra Gillis
    Finance Manager, Ventura County Resource Conservation District
  • Gloria Greene
    Director, Big Bear City Airport District
  • Piret Harmon
    Principal Management Analyst, Water Dept. City of Santa Cruz
  • Linda Hollinsworth
    Director of Finance, Rosamond Community Services District
  • Leonard Irby
    District Manager, Madera County Mosquito & Vector Control District
  • Ray Kolisz
    Operations Manager, Twentynine Palms Water District
  • Timothy McGowan
    Director, Castro Valley Sanitary District
  • James McManus
    General Manager, Summerland Sanitary District
  • Lenny Pepper
    CEO, Desert Healthcare District
  • Jennifer Spindler
    Office Manager/Board Secretary, Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency
  • William Sponable
    Fire Chief, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
Presented at the Special District and Local Government Institute Governance Seminar
March 4-5, 2010 @ Huntington Beach, California
  • Daniel Burgess
    Director, Heritage Ranch Community Services District
  • John Cook
    Director, Idyllwild Water District
  • George Coulter Ph.D.
    Board Member/Assistant Treasurer, Tri-City Healthcare District
  • Tim Deutsch
    General Manager, Orange County Cemetery District
  • Marshall Eyerman
    Special Districts Program Manager, City of Moreno Valley
  • LaRue Griffin
    District Manager, North of River Sanitary District
  • Justine Hendricksen
    Administration Manager, East Valley Water District
  • Anita Jones
    Human Resources Manager, Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
  • Paula Luce-Pfeffer
    Administrative Assistant, Richardson Bay Sanitary District
  • Greg Nordbak
    General Manager, Midway City Sanitary District
  • Bobbi Palmer
    Executive Director, Los Medanos Community Healthcare District
  • Manuel Sandoval
    Finance Director, City of Orange Cove
  • Ted Trimble
    General Manager, Western Canal Water District
  • Darnell Turner
    Director/President, Los Medanos Community Healthcare District
Presented at the Special District and Local Government Institute Finance Seminar
October 23, 2009 @ San Diego, California
  • Bobbi Belton
    Director, Rancho Murieta Community Services District
  • Steve Dennis
    Emergency Services Supervisor, Alameda County Water District
  • Cheryl Fama
    CEO, Peninsula Health Care District
  • Andrea Fernandez
    Corporate Secretary, South Montebello Irrigation District
  • Patrick Guasco
    Director/President, Sanitary Dist. No. 1 Marin County
  • Lisa Harper
    Clerk of the Boards, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
  • Jill Ingram
    Assistant to the City Manager, City of Seal Beach
  • Mickey Luckman
    Director, Joshua Basin Water District
  • Andrea Miller
    Executive Assistant, Laguna Beach County Water District
  • Goro Mitchell
    Director, East Palo Alto Sanitary District
  • Robert Ooten
    Director/V.P., Costa Mesa Sanitary District
  • Art Perry
    Director, Costa Mesa Sanitary District
  • Barry Pomeroy
    Vice President, Esparto Community Services District
  • Hugh Rafferty
    Director, Santa Maria Public Airport District
  • Eileen Tafolla-Bateman
    Executive Assistant, East Valley Water District
  • Richard Verbanec
    Director, Pebble Beach Community Services District
  • Nora Verceles
    Program Administrator, Western Municipal Water District
  • Robert Wahlstrom
    Director, Rossmoor/Los Alamitos Area Sewer District
  • Bridget Wilson
    Business Manager, Sanitary District No. 1 Marin County
  • Lynne Yost
    Human Resources Coordinator, Sacramento Suburban Water District

Second certificates awarded to:

  • Frank Donato
    Director, Division 3, Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency
  • Lidia Santos
    Office Manager, Castroville Community Services District
  • Eric Tynan
    General Manager, Castroville Community Services District
Presented at the Special District and Local Government Institute Administration Seminar
June 19, 2009 @ Monterey Bay, California
  • Toby Bisson
    Water Supervisor, Stinson Beach County Water District
  • John Brown
    Director, Mission Springs Water District
  • Megan Clark
    Director, Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District
  • Mike Di Giorgio
    President of the Board, Novato Sanitary District
  • Patty Jackson
    Financial Analyst, Castaic Lake Water Agency
  • Beverly James
    Manager/Engineer, Novato Sanitary District
  • R.J. Kelly
    President, Castaic Lake Water Agency
  • Chris Orman
    Fire Chief, North Monterey County Fire
  • Jo Lynne Russo-Pereyra
    Assistant G.M. for External Affairs, Cucamonga Valley Water District
  • Cindy Turner
    Recreation Superintendent, Orangevale Recreation & Park District
  • Deana Verbeke
    Director, Helix Water District
  • Richard Williamson
    G.M./ District Engineer, Borrego Water District

Second certificate awarded to:

  • Edrick Haggans
    Vice President, East Palo Alto Sanitary District
Presented at the Special District and Local Government Institute Governance Seminar
February 20, 2009 @ San Francisco, California
  • John Furbee
    Vice President, Mission Springs Water District
  • Chris Gallagher
    Director, Twentynine Palms Water District
  • Ken Gerdes
    Engineering Manager, Vallecitos Water District
  • Gloria Gray
    Director, West Basin Municipal Water District
  • Gary Howell
    Trustee, Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District
  • David I'Anson
    Finance Manager, Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District
  • Elliott Johnson
    Collection System Maintenance Supervisor, Castro Valley Sanitary District
  • Carol Lewis
    Executive Secretary, Vallecitos Water District
  • Marissa Olney
    Accountant/Controller, Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District
  • Diane Sauer
    Fiscal Manager, Santa Barbara County Fire Protection District
  • Cynthia Wheat
    Finance/Personnel Supervisor, Orangevale Recreation and Park District

Second certificate awarded to:

  • Edwin Hilden**
    Director, Walnut Valley Water District