Board of Directors

Board Beliefs

  • Be the leading and passionate voice for all special districts.
  • Be aggressive and resolute in representing and advocating for the needs of all special districts.
  • Strengthen support for special districts by educating the public and public policymakers at all levels of the value and function of special districts.
  • Capitalize on the strengths of the diversity of special districts, fully representing all types and forms of districts.
  • Be the premier training provider for all special districts, striving for effective governance, leadership and administration.
  • Provide a wide range of high-quality services and resources to member districts.

Six Networks Throughout the State

CSDA is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors elected by mail ballots. The Board consists of three directors from each of the six networks throughout California. The Board meets bi-monthly in Sacramento to guide the Association’s legislative and member benefit programs.


Executive Committee


Mr. Ryan Clausnitzer

Mr. Ryan Clausnitzer, CSDM, President 

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Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District
“Leading an agency of our size requires the general manager to become the agency’s fiscal, human resource, board procedures, and operational expert. Coming from city, county, and national governments to working in special districts as staff, as a board member, the board President, and now a general manager provides me with a unique and valuable perspective.  As a trustee I completed the Special District Leadership Academy and as a general manager I attend the Board Secretary/Clerk training as well.”

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Ms. Elaine Magner

Ms. Elaine Magner, Vice President 

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Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District
“I have been on the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District (PVRPD) Board of Directors since February 2008. I have served as board president twice, served on the personnel and finance committees and am PVRPD’s representative to the Ventura County Special Districts Association (VCSDA) and CSDA. I was honored by VCSDA by being named the 2014 Director of the Year. I worked in public service for 31 years in law enforcement human resources.”

Magner_-_Ethics AB_1234 Training Certificate.pdf
Magner_-_AB_1825 Harassment Prevention Training Certificate.pdf
Magner_-_Special District Leadership Academy Certificate.pdf

Ms. Arlene Schafer

Ms. Arlene Schafer, Secretary 

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Costa Mesa Sanitary District
“Currently, I am serving on the Board of Directors for the Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) where I have been a Board member for 16 years. I am proud to be part of an organization that has been a District of Distinction since 2009, earned the Transparency Certificate of Excellence and most recently, CMSD received Gold Recognition in Special District Governance.”

Mr. Jerry L. Gilmore

Mr. Jerry L. Gilmore, Treasurer 

Truckee Sanitary District

"I have owned and operated a plumbing contracting company in the Tahoe Truckee area for over 40 years and have served on the Truckee Sanitary District Board for the past 25 years.  I attended Cal Poly Pomona and served my country in the Navy in Vietnam. I currently serve with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and am a past Division Commander. I have served on numerous community service groups, teams, and committees over my four decades in the Tahoe area and count it as a blessing of rich experiences."

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Moss Landing Harbor District
“As an elected official for Moss Landing Harbor District Board of Harbor Commissioners, elected in 2003, I aspire to improve and find best-practices to serve my district and all special districts. I currently serve the CSDA Board of Directors as board secretary. In addition, I chair the Alliance Executive Council and Professional Development Committee, and am a member of the Fiscal and Member Services Committees.”

Northern Network

Kimberlee Seney

Ms. Kimberlee Seney 

Gold Mountain Community Services District
I proudly serve on the Board of Directors for the Gold Mountain CSD, lending experience, enthusiasm and time to the community since my appointment in 2019. The Gold Mountain CSD provides water, wastewater and fire protection services to the Nakoma residential community and golf resort located in Plumas County.

I am an experienced leader with varied experience in corporate, nonprofit and government sectors, managing Customer Service and Marketing organizations. The CSDA has been a great resource to me as I’ve been learning CSD operations, processes and best practices. I am excited to serve the CSDA membership in my role as a member of the Board.

Seney Sexual Harassment and Ethics Certificates

Mr. Fred Ryness

Mr. Fred Ryness  

Burney Water District
“I have served with Burney Water District over six years, serving as president, past president and vice president throughout that time. I’ve also worked with the California Teachers Association, California Agriculture Teachers Association and the Alturas section of the California Teachers Association.”

Mr. Ralph Emerson

Mr. Ralph Emerson 

Garberville Sanitary District
“I have worked for public agencies in the water/wastewater field for over 20 years as an operator, chief plant operator or general manager.  I currently am the water operator for Leggett in Mendocino County, the wastewater operator for Miranda in Humboldt County, the contract wastewater operator for the USBR at Melones reservoir in Calaveras and Tuolumne County and the general manager for Garberville Sanitary District, which provides water and sewer service.”

Sierra Network

Mr. Pete Kampa, SDA

Mr. Pete Kampa, CSDM 

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Groveland Community Services District and Copper Valley (formerly Saddle Creek) Community Services District
“I am currently serving as the general manager of both the Groveland Community Services District and the Copper Valley (formerly Saddle Creek) Community Services District. I have been involved with CSDA as a Special District Leadership Academy instructor and also served on the Board of Directors from 1998 to 2013, prior to my appointment in 2015.”

Ms. Noelle Mattock

Ms. Noelle Mattock 

El Dorado Hills Community Services District
“I grew-up in El Dorado Hills and proudly followed in the footsteps of my parents by serving our community.  In addition to serving on the El Dorado Hills CSD Board of Directors, since 2008, I am also active with CSDA and in 2011 I helped launch the Gold Country Regional Chapter of CSDA, which has a primary focus to provide local trainings for board members and staff.”

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Mr. Jerry L. Gilmore

Mr. Jerry L. Gilmore 

Truckee Sanitary District

"I have owned and operated a plumbing contracting company in the Tahoe Truckee area for over 40 years and have served on the Truckee Sanitary District Board for the past 25 years.  I attended Cal Poly Pomona and served my country in the Navy in Vietnam. I currently serve with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and am a past Division Commander. I have served on numerous community service groups, teams, and committees over my four decades in the Tahoe area and count it as a blessing of rich experiences."

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Bay Area Network

Mr. Stanley Caldwell

Mr. Stanley Caldwell 

Mt. View Sanitary District
“I enjoy my retirement time committed to serving as board member of Mt. View Sanitary District, and as my district’s representative to the LAFCo in Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa Special Districts Association (CCSDA). I serve as the CCSDA Vice President and the newsletter editor. My service also includes CSDA Executive Committee as past-president, and several committees, including the Member Services Committees. and Professional Development Committees.”

Caldwell_-_Ethics AB_1234 Training Certificate.pdf
Caldwell_-_Special District Leadership Acacdemy Certificate.pdf

Mr. Ryan Clausnitzer

  Mr. Ryan Clausnitzer, CSDM

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Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District
“Leading an agency of our size requires the general manager to become the agency’s fiscal, human resource, board procedures, and operational expert. Coming from city, county, and national governments to working in special districts as staff, as a board member, the board President, and now a general manager provides me with a unique and valuable perspective.  As a trustee I completed the Special District Leadership Academy and as a general manager I attend the Board Secretary/Clerk training as well.”
Clausnitzer - Harassment Prevention Training Certificate
Clausnitzer - Ethics (AB 1234) Training Certificate

Mr. Chad Davisson

Mr. Chad Davisson, CSDM

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Ironhouse Sanitary District
"I am very proud to have dedicated my 30-year career in water and wastewater to serving my local community through special districts and local government. My goal as General Manager is to provide Ironhouse Sanitary District and its constituents with complete and open public transparency utilizing best management practices. Under my leadership, the District was awarded District of Distinction (Platinum Level) accreditation and the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence. I have received the CSDA Special District Administrator certification and completed the SDLF Leadership Academy. Through my background with special districts, I recognize the importance and value of supporting CSDA. I have a vast understanding of special district needs and as a CSDA Board Member, am using my experience and expertise to further enrich services that benefit CSDA members."

 

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Central Network

Mr. Lorenzo Rios

Mr. Lorenzo Rios 

Clovis Veterans Memorial District

"I have been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District (CVMD) since 2015. In my current capacity, I work closely with all Veterans Organizations, Military Units, Community Service Organizations, to provided services to military members, veterans, and their families in order to improve the quality of life of all constituents through greater understanding and awareness of key issues impacting our community. In addition, I also serve as the Chapter President for the Central Valley Local Chapter of the California Special District Association.



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Mr. Steve Perez

Mr. Steve Perez 

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Coastal Network

Ms. Elaine Magner

Ms. Elaine Magner 

Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District
“I have been on the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District (PVRPD) Board of Directors since February 2008. I have served as board president twice, served on the personnel and finance committees and am PVRPD’s representative to the Ventura County Special Districts Association (VCSDA) and CSDA. I was honored by VCSDA by being named the 2014 Director of the Year. I worked in public service for 31 years in law enforcement human resources.”

Magner_-_Ethics AB_1234 Training Certificate.pdf
Magner_-_AB_1825 Harassment Prevention Training Certificate.pdf
Magner_-_Special District Leadership Academy Certificate.pdf

katherine.png

Ms. Katherine Stewart 

Vandenberg Village Community Services District
"After serving 25 years in the US Air Force, I wanted to continue my service in the community. I have been on the Vandenberg Village Community Services District's Board of Directors since November of 2018. I had the honor of being elected as Board President  in January of 2020. In addition to sitting on may other committees, I also serve as the Santa Barbara Chapter CSDA Representative for VVCSD. I also have a BS in Industrial Engineering Technology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and an MPA from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville."​​

Mr. Vincent C. Ferrante

Mr. Vincent C. Ferrante

Moss Landing Harbor District
“As an elected official for Moss Landing Harbor District Board of Harbor Commissioners, elected in 2003, I aspire to improve and find best-practices to serve my district and all special districts. I currently serve the CSDA Board of Directors as board secretary. In addition, I chair the Alliance Executive Council and Professional Development Committee, and am a member of the Fiscal and Member Services Committees.”

Southern Network

Ms. Arlene Schafer

Ms. Arlene Schafer 

Costa Mesa Sanitary District
“Currently, I am serving on the Board of Directors for the Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) where I have been a Board member for 16 years. I am proud to be part of an organization that has been a District of Distinction since 2009, earned the Transparency Certificate of Excellence and most recently, CMSD received Gold Recognition in Special District Governance.”

Vacant

Mr. Don Bartz, CSDM 

Phelan Pinon Hills CSD

"I have been active with CSDA for over 20 years during my time as general manager for three different agencies. I am currently the general manager for the Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District and have been since it was formed in 2008. In addition, I hold the Certified Special District Manager designation (CSDM) from the Special District Leadership Foundation. ​
Ms. Jo MacKenzie

Ms. Jo MacKenzie 

Vista Irrigation District
“During my tenure on the CSDA Board of Directors, special districts have continued to gain recognition as the third leg of local government. During my year as president of CSDA, I was recognized as Special District Official of the year by PublicCEO. I am dedicated to building on the present foundation of educational programs and public outreach. I was elected to the Vista Irrigation District (VID) in 1992 and I am one of the principal negotiators for the San Luis Rey Water Rights Settlement Agreement between VID, five tribal bands, the City of Escondido and the federal government. In addition, I presently serve as Alternate LAFCO Commissioner representing special districts after serving 14 years on the San Diego LAFCO Special District Advisory Committee.”

MacKenzie - Harassment Prevention Training Certificate
MacKenzie - Ethics (AB 1234) Training Certificate
MacKenzie - Special District Leadership Academy Certificate