2025 CSDA Annual Awards Presented at Statewide Conference

By Morgan Leskody posted 09-02-2025 10:13 AM

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During last week's CSDA Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase, CSDA was pleased to announce the recipients of its 2025 Annual Awards, recognizing innovation, outreach, leadership, and technology across the state. Congratulations to our 2025 winners!

Calleguas Municipal Water District officials accept the CSDA award for Exceptional Public Outreach and Advocacy

Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy Award (Large District) - Calleguas Municipal Water District

Calleguas Municipal Water District earned this award for its Mountain Fire rapid response communications this Spring. The district countered misinformation about hydrant pressures during the devastating fire by providing clear, accessible explanations and coordinated media outreach to ensure the public received fact-based, timely information.

Pictured left to right: CSDA CEO Neil McCormick, Calleguas MWD PIO Charlotte Holifield, Calleguas MWD Director Scott Quady, CSDA Communications Specialist Kristin Withrow

Ross Valley Sanitary District officials accept the CSDA award for Exceptional Public Outreach and Advocacy

Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy (Small District) - Ross Valley Sanitary District

Ross Valley Sanitary District's public outreach campaign, "Toss it, Don't Flush it!" won the award this year. The program is a bilingual, multi-platform campaign targeting latex glove pollution in the sewer system. It included targeted message mapping, geotargeted ads, TV and digital video, and community tools and outreach to educate the public and medical community about the effects of flushing latex gloves into the sewer.

Pictured left to right: CSDA CEO Neil McCormick, Ross Valley Sanitary Senior Administrative Coordinator Cristina Velazquez, Ross Valley Sanitary General Manager Steve Moore, CSDA Communications Specialist Kristin Withrow

Officials from Ventura County Fire accept the award for Innovative Program of the year

Innovative Program of the Year Award - Ventura County Fire Protection District

Ventura County Fire Protection District earned the Innovative Program of the Year award for a large district for its implementation of one of the state's first pre-hospital whole-blood access programs for rescue ambulances. The program allows the district to accelerate life-saving care for trauma patients on scene.

Pictured left to right: CSDA CEO Neil McCormick, Firefighter Paramedic Edward Campana, Chief Scott Quirarte, CSDA Professional Development Officer Megan Hemming

Officials from North Highlands Recreation and Park District accept the Innovative Project award

Innovative Program of the Year (Small District) - North Highlands Recreation and Park District

North Highlands Recreation and Park District transformed graffiti-prone park areas into vibrant, interactive art spaces. The program maintained low costs and maximized community acceptance through its robust volunteer program and community outreach.

Pictured left to right: CSDA CEO Neil McCormick, North Highlands Recreation and Park District Administrator Scott Graham, Recreation Superintendent Rachel Robertson, Recreation Supervisor Kayla Thayer, CSDA Chief Professional Development Officer Megan Hemming

District representative Lona Williams accepted the award

Excellence in Technology Award - Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District

Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District's comprehensive technology stack, including SCADA model modernization, cybersecurity leadership, and customer-facing tools delivered savings, resilience, and transparency.

Pictured left to right: CSDA CEO Neil McCormick, Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District Representative Lona Williams, CSDA Chief Member Services & Communications Officer Cassandra Strawn

Chapter of the Year Award - Special Districts Association of North Los Angeles County

From its inception, facing post-COVID hesitation around public gatherings, to today, with ten active special districts, this chapter is thriving. Regular luncheons featuring prominent speakers bring information to its members, while representation from legislative offices promotes advocacy. In a short span of time, this chapter has come together to represent the region in meaningful and impactful ways.

Pictured left to right: CSDA CEO Neil McCormick, Chapter representatives Kathye Armitage, Elvie Ancheta and Drew Mercy, and CSDA Sr. Public Affairs Field Coordinator Chris Palmer

Staff Member of the Year Award - Kaitlin Tran

Kaitlin Tran first joined Costa Mesa Sanitary District as an accounting specialist in 2007. Since that time, she has moved through four promotions to attain her current role as Finance Manager. The district has benefited from her expertise, now holding the Government Finance Officer Association Triple Crown Award for 3 consecutive years, in addition to the Special District Leadership Foundation's District Transparency Certificate of Excellence and becoming a District of Distinction.

Pictured center: Costa Mesa Sanitary District Finance Manager Kaitlin Tran

Board Member of the Year Award - Sandra Rose

Director Rose has served the Monte Vista Water District for 25 years, including as Board President, and on standing and ad hoc committees. She helped guide major initiatives and has been a consistent advocate for transparent, ethical, and fiscally responsible governance. She has been a champion of district-wide achievements, such as the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence, and the district has risen to the District of Distinction Platinum Level.

Pictured left to right: CSDA CEO Neil McCormick, Director Sandra Rose, CSDA Vice President Lorenzo Rios, CSDM

General Manager of the Year Award - Sean Barclay

Tahoe City Public Utility District General Manage Sean Barclay has been honored with this award for his values-based leadership, major system acquisitions and capital projects, and a culture of accountability and service that improved organizational performance. Additionally, he shared his expertise statewide by developing presentations on the district's values-based culture initiatives for CSDA conferences.

Pictured left to right: CSDA CEO Neil McCormick, Tahoe City Public Utility District General Manager Sean Barclay, CSDM, and CSDA Vice President Lorenzo Rios, CSDM

Ralph Heim Exceptional Outreach & Advocacy Award - Scott Sear

This award is for outstanding legislative engagement and community outreach that strengthens partnerships across local, state, and federal levels. Desert Recreation District PIO Scott Sear's people-first approach to his work has included community engagement from town halls to legislative round tables, and media engagement to mentorship. His enthusiastic approach to aligning the district's community representation with policymaker priorities to deliver tangible results exemplifies what the Ralph Heim Award is all about.

Pictured left to right: CSDA CEO Neil McCormick,Desert Recreation District PIO Scott Sear, CSDA Board Member and Legislative Committee Chair Noelle Mattock

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