2025 Executive Committee Election Candidates
On May 12, 2025, during the Board of Directors meeting at the 2025 Spring Membership Summit, an election will be held to fill four (4) vacancies on the ACWA JPIA Executive Committee. Each candidate’s Statement of Qualifications is below. For more information on the Executive Committee election process, visit the Elections page. The seven candidates, in alphabetical order, are:
- T. Millford Harrison (San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District)
- Brent Hastey (Reclamation District 784)
- Chris Kapheim (Kings River Conservation District)*
- Melody McDonald (San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District)*
- Scott Quady (Calleguas Municipal Water District)
- Randall Reed (Cucamonga Valley Water District)*
- John Weed (Alameda County Water District)
*incumbent
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T. Milford Harrison, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
Nine years ago, I was given the privilege of joining the Board of the San Bernardino Valley Conservation District alongside Melody McDonald. In a very short time, I began to learn about the incredible benefits provided to the various Districts who had joined ACWA JPIA. The advantages offered by JPIA became even clearer as my experience and knowledge of the organization increased.
Several years later I was elected to the Board of the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, a State Water Contractor, and became President. I quickly learned that my new District only carried Workers’ Comp coverage from JPIA. Based on my previous experience in the insurance business, and as a Mayor, Chief of Staff for two County Supervisors and Executive Director of San Bernardino International Airport I could clearly see the advantages that JPIA offered our water district.
Once I was able to convince our Administration and Board of these advantages, we turned to ACWA-JPIA for all our insurance needs, and we have reaped the benefits ever since! Peter Kuchinsky and his associates came to our District office and went through every aspect of our operation. They made many suggestions and as a result we made many changes. One major change was to eliminate the multi-million-dollar fund being held for our liability self-insurance! We subsequently used that fund to further enhance water storage and delivery.
I believe that my experience in water delivery and operations plus my insurance responsibilities in various government positions, has helped me acquire the knowledge and background necessary to serve on the ACWA JPIA Executive Committee. I have actively served as a JPIA Director or Alternate for nine years and have been a diligent supporter and promoter of the organization as well as its California Water Insurance Fund. I have also served on various ACWA Committees during this time.
It would be an honor and privilege to have the support, by resolution, of your District and your vote at the ACWA JPIA Conference in May.
Brent Hastey, Reclamation District 784
I am writing to request your vote for the ACWA JPIA Executive Committee. As the designated JPIA Director for Reclamation District 784, I bring a wealth of experience and dedication to water management and insurance programs.
I currently serve as a board member of Reclamation District 784, a position I have held for the past two years. I was recently re-elected for a new four-year term, which underscores my commitment, and the trust placed in me by my colleagues and the community.
Reclamation District 784 participates in the ACWA JPIA Liability Program, Employee Benefits, Property, and Workers’ Compensation. I currently serve on the Employee Benefits Committee.
My extensive experience includes serving as a director of the Yuba Water Agency and as a member of the ACWA JPIA Executive Board and the ACWA Board, where I had the honor of serving as President. I have also served on the Yuba Community College District Board, the California Community College Trustees Board, and the Feather River State Bank Board, where I held the position of Chairman.
My diverse board experience has equipped me with a broad understanding of governance, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. I am passionate about water management and insurance and believe my background makes me a strong candidate for the ACWA JPIA Executive Committee. I am eager to contribute to the Executive Committee’s mission and work collaboratively with other board members to advance its goals.
Thank you for your vote and I look forward to serving you on the Executive Committee.
Chris Kapheim, Kings River Conservation District
I believe it is important for the San Joaquin Valley (Valley) to have representation on the ACWA JPIA Executive Committee. The Valley comprises 8 counties, which has 5 million acres of irrigated agriculture and a population of over 4 million people.
I was born and raised on a family farm in Dinuba, California. My family has farmed in the Dinuba area for over 100 years. I have been involved in production agriculture for over 30 years growing peaches, plums, grapes and pistachios. I graduated from California Polytechnic State University in 1977 with a degree in Soil Science. Furthermore, I graduated from the California Agricultural Leadership, Class 26, in 1996.
Water is the life-blood for the Valley. I was General Manager for the Alta Irrigation District from 1983 to 2016. Alta Irrigation District encompasses 129,000 acres in Tulare, Kings, and Fresno counties with its primary tasks being irrigation water deliveries and groundwater recharge. Prior to my retirement in 2016, I was instrumental in developing the governance structure for the Kings River East Groundwater Sustainability Agency. In 2018, I was elected to the Kings River Conservation District Board of Directors (KRCD); re-elected in 2022; and was appointed Board President in December 2024. KRCD is a collaborative resource management agency serving agriculture, business, and residential communities within 1.2 million acres spanning portions of Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties. KRCD’s areas of focus include flood protection, energy, water, and environmental resources.
My experience includes regional and statewide efforts:
Past member Tulare County Planning Commission
Past Chairman of ACWA’s Water Management Committee
Past member of ACWA’s Board of Directors
Past member of ACWA’s Legislative Committee
Past member of ACWA JPIA’s Liability Committee
Member of ACWA JPIA’s Board of Directors
Member of ACWA JPIA’s Executive Committee
As a long-time general manager of a large irrigation district in the San Joaquin Valley, I believe I have the knowledge and understanding that is required to continue serving on ACWA JPIA’s Executive Committee.
Melody McDonald, San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District
ASSOCIATIONS
Member, Board of Directors of the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District (Elected), Currently President, originally appointed in 1991, and first woman on the board.
Member, Executive Committee, ACWA JPIA since 2001
President, ACWA JPIA BOD, Chair Executive Committee
Chair, Personnel Committee
Director, ACWA Joint Powers Insurance Authority since 1991
Member ACWA State Legislative Committee
Board Member, Association of the San Bernardino County Special Districts
Over 32 + Years of Experience in the Water Industry includes:
Past Member, (CWA) California Women for Agriculture
Past Member, ACWA Water Management Committee
Past Member, ACWA Federal Affairs Committee
Past Chair & Vice-Chair, JPIA Liability, Property, & Workers Compensation Programs
Past Member, Board of Directors ACWA, Region 9 Chair
Past Chair, Water Management Certification Subcommittee
Chair, California Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region 8 Years of service, Gubernatorial Appointment 1993-2000
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT
Southwest Lift & Equipment, Inc. (Heavy Duty Vehicle Lifts)
Broker/Associate, Century 21 Lois Lauer Realty
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & LICENSES
Redlands Association of Realtors
California Real Estate Broker’s License
Arizona Real Estate Broker’s License
ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETIES
Highland Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce
Immanuel Baptist Church Highland, CA
BSF International
EDUCATION
San Gorgonio High School, 1976
Western Real Estate School, 1989
Graduate, Special Districts Board Management Institute, 1997
Studied at Crafton Hills College
Scott Quady, Calleguas Municipal Water District
Sixteen years as a water district board member
Forty-year career as a water industry professional: private, municipal and non-profit organizations
Retired as an Environmental Resource Analyst
ACWA JPIA
Board Member Director since 2012
• Workers Compensation Committee since 2018
• CWIF (California Water Insurance Fund, Captive) Board: 2019 (3 yrs), 2022 (2 yrs)
ACWA
• Region 8, Alternate Vice-Chair since 2023
• Energy Committee
• Prior/continuing interests: Water Quality, Safe Drinking
Water and Water Management Committees
CALLEGUAS BOARD HISTORY
• First elected, 2008
• Board President, 2012-16, 2023-24
• Treasurer, 2016-22
• Vice-President, 2025 – Present
CALLEGUAS COMMITTEES (HISTORICAL/CURRENT)
• Chair, Finance, 2016
• Chair, Water Quality, 2012
• Member, Finance
• Alternate member, Public Engagement, Communication, and Legislative Affairs
• Member, Water Supply, Storage, and Partnership Development
• Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance
Randall Reed, Cucamonga Valley Water District
I am pleased to share with you my interest in continuing my service on the Executive Committee for ACWA JPIA. I am prepared and ready to help lead the organization as we continue to uphold ACWA JPIA’s mission “to consistently and cost effectively provide the broadest possible affordable insurance coverage and related services to its member agencies.”
My experience with ACWA JPIA began over 5 years ago when I was appointed by the Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD) to serve as their ACWA JPIA representative. In that same year I was elected to the Executive Committee to fill a vacancy and eagerly rose to the challenge. Now I am dedicated to ensuring the success of ACWA JPIA. We provide a vital service to the water community and they provide a vital service to their communities. I know how important this organization is for the member agencies who depend on our success.
I have served on the CVWD board of directors for approximately 22 years, and currently serve as their President. At CVWD, we have taken full advantage of all the programs the ACWA JPIA has to offer to ensure our employees are working in the safest environment possible. Our board of directors has also adopted a Commitment to Excellence pledge putting into place best management practices which bolsters our effectiveness for loss prevention and safety.
I currently serve on the board of the Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts. In my past roll as board president, I was focused on increasing my understanding of our members needs so that I may know how to better serve and lead the association. I will continue to use this same approach if re-elected to serve on the ACWA JPIA Executive Committee.
Professionally, I am retired from a 32 year career in the wastewater management field as an electrical and instrumentation supervisor. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Management Systems from California State University San Bernardino and have been an active member in the Association of California Water Agencies, California Special Districts Association and the California Water Environment Association. I’m a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corp.
Thank you for allowing me to share my experience, leadership and knowledge. I look forward to the opportunity to represent you and your agency. Please feel free to contact me directly at (909) 240-1344 should you have questions or if you would like to support my candidacy.
John H. Weed, Alameda County Water District
Mr. John H. Weed is a Board Member of the Alameda County Water District (ACWD) and has served on the ACWD Board since 1995. Mr. Weed has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Santa Clara. He has a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Eastern New Mexico University. He conducted doctoral-level graduate studies in Water Resource Administration, and Graduate Research Associate in Agricultural Economics at the University of Arizona.
He is an attorney, member of California Bar, and also works in property development as President of Niles Properties, Inc. He was previously employed as an Engineer Technician with the Santa Clara Valley Water District and was the Special Assistant to the Division Manager of Ordinance Engineering at FMC Corporation. Mr. Weed formerly served as an elected Trustee of the Ohlone Community College District from 1977 to 2010.
Since 2003 he has served on the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, for the past fourteen years he has been an appointed member of the Alameda County Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board for both valuation and legal issues. Mr. Weed served on the Federal Affairs Committee of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and is a member and past Chair of the ACWA Region 5 Council. He serves as Director on the Board of the California Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority, a member of the Risk Management Committee of Joint Power Insurance Authority of ACWA, President of the Washington Township Historical Society, and member of the Newark Rotary.
Mr. Weed is a Vietnam veteran, serving his three years of active-duty service as a Munitions Maintenance Officer and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer. He served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a Civil Engineer for 28 years, retiring with the rank of Colonel. His highest award was the Legion of Merit. His service as a Civil Engineer was focused on Readiness with certifications in Fire Protection, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, and Disaster Preparedness. He served as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee [IMA] to the Air Force Fire Marshal with functional management of 13,000 Fire Fighting Personnel at 162 locations from 1992-1995. From 1995 to his retirement in 2000, Colonel Weed was the IMA to the Civil Engineer of the Pacific Air Forces with functional management of 6,400 Military personnel, with an annual budget of $1-billion for Operations and Maintenance, and $500-million in capital construction. His primary focus was Readiness for U.S. Air Force Assets on the Korean Peninsula, which was identified as the highest risk location in the world.