Board of Directors

Executive Committee

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.

Joel Bauer, CSDM, President

Mr. Joel Bauer, SDA, General Manager
West Side Cemetery District
“I have served the West Side Cemetery District for almost 18 years. Over that time, I have served on the board of the California Association of Public Cemeteries, and been involved with Kern County LAFCo and the Kern County Special Districts Association.”

Ryan Clausnitzer, CSDM, Vice President

Mr. Ryan Clausnitzer, CSDM, General Manager
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.”

Elaine Magner, Treasurer

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

Mr. Stanley Caldwell, Secretary

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

Greg Orsini, Past President

Mr. Greg Orsini, General Manager
McKinleyville Community Services District
“I have worked with the McKinleyville Community Service District (MCSD) for 23 years. In 1990, I was hired as a Utility Worker 1, promoted to Director of Operations in 2002 and recently appointment as general manager. I value the importance of remaining current on pending state and federal legislation as it pertains to special services districts.”

Northern Network

Mr. Greg Orsini

McKinleyville Community Services District
“I have worked with the McKinleyville Community Service District (MCSD) for 23 years. In 1990, I was hired as a Utility Worker 1, promoted to Director of Operations in 2002 and recently appointment as general manager. I value the importance of remaining current on pending state and federal legislation as it pertains to special services districts.”

Orsini_-_Ethics AB 1234 Training Certificate.pdf
Orsini_-_AB_1825 Harassment Prevention Training Certificate.pdf
Orsini_-_Special District Leadership Academy Certificate.pdf

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

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, CSDM

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

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.”

Mr. Jerry L. Gilmore

Truckee Sanitary District
More information to come.

Bay Area Network

Mr. Stanley Caldwell

Mr. Ryan Clausnitzer, CSDM

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, CSDM

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.

Central Network

Mr. Joel Bauer, CSDM

West Side Cemetery District
“I have served the West Side Cemetery District for almost 18 years. Over that time, I have served on the board of the California Association of Public Cemeteries, and been involved with Kern County LAFCo and the Kern County Special Districts Association.”

Bauer_-_Ethics AB 1234 Training Certificate.pdf
Bauer_-_AB_1825 Harassment Prevention Training Certificate.pdf
Bauer_-_Special District Administrator Certification.pdf
Bauer_-_Special District Leadership Academy Certificate.pdf

Mr. Lorenzo Rios

Clovis Veterans Memorial District
More information to come.

Ms. Sandi Miller, CSDM

Selma Cemetery District
“I am the General Manager for the Selma Cemetery District. I passed the Certified Special Districts Manager (CSDM) exam through SDLF in 2011. I have also completed the SDLF Certificate in Special District Governance program and Selma Cemetery District was awarded our District of Transparency Certificate of Excellence .”

Miller - Special District Leadership Academy Certificate

Coastal Network

Ms. Elaine Magner

Ms. Katherine Stewart

Santa Ynez Community Service District
“I am currently a general manager with over 20 years of experience managing special districts in Colorado, Arizona, and now California. I have experience in writing, introducing and shepherding legislation for special districts, permitting and constructing new water and wastewater facilities, and upgrading existing facilities.”

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

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. Don Bartz, CSDM

Phelan Pinon Hills CSD

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