INSTRUCTORS
Jesse Cota, Senior Risk Control Advisor
Jesse Cota is a Senior Risk Control Advisor with ACWA JPIA, where he is responsible for assisting, supporting, and developing risk management programs. He also responds to requests for safety and/or risk management consultations and training by JPIA member districts.
Before coming to the JPIA, Jesse worked as a Safety professional for two water districts in Southern California (South Coast WD and Orange County WD). Jesse’s responsibilities included developing and updating safety programs, such as Fall Protection and Confined Space; delivering safety training to district personnel; and conducting inspections on facilities and life safety equipment. His philosophy has always been to listen to those who do the work and find best practices that enhance safety, without hindering performance. Before entering the water industry, Jesse worked as an executive for over ten years in contractor safety management across several industries. Jesse retired after 24 years of service in the U.S. Navy.
Jesse has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Safety & Health from the University of Southern California, is a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist I, and holds the CSP designation.
Jesse Cota, Senior Risk Control Advisor
Jesse Cota is a Senior Risk Control Advisor with ACWA JPIA, where he is responsible for assisting, supporting, and developing risk management programs. He also responds to requests for safety and/or risk management consultations and training by JPIA member districts.
Before coming to the JPIA, Jesse worked as a Safety professional for two water districts in Southern California (South Coast WD and Orange County WD). Jesse’s responsibilities included developing and updating safety programs, such as Fall Protection and Confined Space; delivering safety training to district personnel; and conducting inspections on facilities and life safety equipment. His philosophy has always been to listen to those who do the work and find best practices that enhance safety, without hindering performance. Before entering the water industry, Jesse worked as an executive for over ten years in contractor safety management across several industries. Jesse retired after 24 years of service in the U.S. Navy.
Jesse has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Safety & Health from the University of Southern California, is a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist I, and holds the CSP designation.
Lee Patton, Senior Risk Control Advisor
Lee Patton has over 48 years of experience as a loss control/safety/risk management professional. Lee joined the JPIA in 2005 after spending the majority of his career working for insurance companies in their loss control departments starting as a field rep and then moving up to consultant, regional account manager, supervisor, and manager.
Lee attended Cogswell College Polytechnical College (San Francisco) and California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo) where he received an Associate Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, respectively.
Lee is a Certified Safety Professional. In addition, he has a CEAS II designation from The Back School. He specializes in workers’ compensation with a focus on ergonomics.
Lee Patton, Senior Risk Control Advisor
Lee Patton has over 48 years of experience as a loss control/safety/risk management professional. Lee joined the JPIA in 2005 after spending the majority of his career working for insurance companies in their loss control departments starting as a field rep and then moving up to consultant, regional account manager, supervisor, and manager.
Lee attended Cogswell College Polytechnical College (San Francisco) and California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo) where he received an Associate Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, respectively.
Lee is a Certified Safety Professional. In addition, he has a CEAS II designation from The Back School. He specializes in workers’ compensation with a focus on ergonomics.
Mathew Bunde, Lead Risk Control Advisor
Mathew Bunde is the Lead Risk Control Advisor with ACWA JPIA, where he provides safety and risk management services to water and irrigation districts in the California Central Valley. Mathew has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University and holds the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations.
Mathew has over 30 years of field experience in civil construction, engineering, and safety. His expertise includes risk assessment, construction safety training, safety program development, safety management systems, prevention through design, and participatory ergonomics. Mathew recently served on the advisory panel for Water Research Foundations development of a guide on participatory ergonomics for water and wastewater utilities.
Mathew’s passion is to teach others how to effect positive change through the use of proactive safety and risk management solutions.
Mathew Bunde, Lead Risk Control Advisor
Mathew Bunde is the Lead Risk Control Advisor with ACWA JPIA, where he provides safety and risk management services to water and irrigation districts in the California Central Valley. Mathew has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University and holds the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations.
Mathew has over 30 years of field experience in civil construction, engineering, and safety. His expertise includes risk assessment, construction safety training, safety program development, safety management systems, prevention through design, and participatory ergonomics. Mathew recently served on the advisory panel for Water Research Foundations development of a guide on participatory ergonomics for water and wastewater utilities.
Mathew’s passion is to teach others how to effect positive change through the use of proactive safety and risk management solutions.
Andrew Corral, Senior Risk Control Advisor
Andrew Corral is a Senior Risk Control Advisor with ACWA JPIA. He focuses on proactive risk control measures and responds to requests for risk management consultations and training by JPIA member districts. He joined the JPIA in November of 2022 after working as an Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager in the Water Industry (South Coast WD).
Andrew started his career in operations and construction over 20 years ago and has worked for California Government Agencies since 2006. He developed a passion for risk management while at the City of Burbank where he worked in the Traffic Engineering, Wastewater Engineering, and Management Services Departments. His responsibilities have included developing and updating EHS and Emergency Management programs, delivering training to employees at all levels of the organization, ensuring the readiness of life safety equipment, and partnering with regional stakeholders to carry out emergency plans and activities. Andrew is an active member of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), where he currently serves as the Safety Committee Chair.
Andrew has a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree with a concentration in Finance from Woodbury University, where he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Business Honor Society.
Andrew Corral, Senior Risk Control Advisor
Instructor Bio:
Andrew Corral is a Senior Risk Control Advisor with ACWA JPIA. He focuses on proactive risk control measures and responds to requests for risk management consultations and training by JPIA member districts. He joined the JPIA in November of 2022 after working as an Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager in the Water Industry (South Coast WD).
Andrew started his career in operations and construction over 20 years ago and has worked for California Government Agencies since 2006. He developed a passion for risk management while at the City of Burbank where he worked in the Traffic Engineering, Wastewater Engineering, and Management Services Departments. His responsibilities have included developing and updating EHS and Emergency Management programs, delivering training to employees at all levels of the organization, ensuring the readiness of life safety equipment, and partnering with regional stakeholders to carry out emergency plans and activities. Andrew is an active member of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), where he currently serves as the Safety Committee Chair.
Andrew has a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree with a concentration in Finance from Woodbury University, where he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Business Honor Society.
Paul Myers, Risk Control Advisor II
Paul Myers has over 22 years of experience as a safety and risk professional. Before joining ACWA JPIA in 2023, he worked at two northern California Counties as a safety manager. In those positions, he managed the health and safety programs for multiple departments in a variety of industries such as Law Enforcement, Public Works, General Services, and Health and Human Services. Paul has an extensive background in hazard identification, safety program development, and safety training. Paul carries a Safety Management Specialist (SMS) designation through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).
Paul Myers, Risk Control Advisor II
Instructor Bio:
Paul Myers has over 22 years of experience as a safety and risk professional. Before joining ACWA JPIA in 2023, he worked at two northern California Counties as a safety manager. In those positions, he managed the health and safety programs for multiple departments in a variety of industries such as Law Enforcement, Public Works, General Services, and Health and Human Services. Paul has an extensive background in hazard identification, safety program development, and safety training. Paul carries a Safety Management Specialist (SMS) designation through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).
Robert H. Greenfield, Esq., General Counsel
Robert H. Greenfield joined the ACWA JPIA in December 2013. As JPIA’s General Counsel, Robert directs counsel in JPIA litigated claims. He also provides assistance to members through the Employment Hotline. For the last 29 years, Robert has been a practicing trial attorney representing public entities in defense of their litigation. He has represented numerous JPIA members in employment based litigation. Robert is still an active member of the California State Bar and licensed to practice in all the courts of the State.
Robert H. Greenfield, Esq., General Counsel
Robert H. Greenfield joined the ACWA JPIA in December 2013. As JPIA’s General Counsel, Robert directs counsel in JPIA litigated claims. He also provides assistance to members through the Employment Hotline. For the last 29 years, Robert has been a practicing trial attorney representing public entities in defense of their litigation. He has represented numerous JPIA members in employment based litigation. Robert is still an active member of the California State Bar and licensed to practice in all the courts of the State.
Robin Flint, Risk Control Manager
Robin Flint is the Risk Control Manager with ACWA JPIA where she is responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, and coordinating operations of the Risk Management Department. She also guides the development and administration of the risk management programs to reduce the frequency and severity of claims; while providing an integrated approach to managing the JPIA’s risk exposures.
Prior to coming to work for the JPIA, Robin worked as a Senior Risk Management Specialist for a large school pool in California where she was responsible for loss control, claims adjusting, and developing tools and training to help K12 and community college districts control and reduce losses. She is an authorized trainer for NIMS and is a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist I. She has experience in sexual harassment prevention, forklift/powered industrial truck instructor, and was a trainer for the American Red Cross. In 2014, Robin became a PRIMA ISO 31000, Enterprise Risk Management, Introduction Course faculty trainer.
Robin currently serves on CAJPA’s loss control subcommittee, where she is the chairperson and is a frequent speaker on risk management, occupational safety, and health and emergency management.
Robin has a Bachelor’s of Science degree and an MBA degree from California Polytechnic University and holds the ARM and CSP designations.
Robin Flint, Risk Control Manager
Robin Flint is the Risk Control Manager with ACWA JPIA where she is responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, and coordinating operations of the Risk Management Department. She also guides the development and administration of the risk management programs to reduce the frequency and severity of claims; while providing an integrated approach to managing the JPIA’s risk exposures.
Prior to coming to work for the JPIA, Robin worked as a Senior Risk Management Specialist for a large school pool in California where she was responsible for loss control, claims adjusting, and developing tools and training to help K12 and community college districts control and reduce losses. She is an authorized trainer for NIMS and is a Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist I. She has experience in sexual harassment prevention, forklift/powered industrial truck instructor, and was a trainer for the American Red Cross. In 2014, Robin became a PRIMA ISO 31000, Enterprise Risk Management, Introduction Course faculty trainer.
Robin currently serves on CAJPA’s loss control subcommittee, where she is the chairperson and is a frequent speaker on risk management, occupational safety, and health and emergency management.
Robin has a Bachelor’s of Science degree and an MBA degree from California Polytechnic University and holds the ARM and CSP designations.
Sarah Crawford, Training Manager
Sarah Crawford has been a training and talent development professional in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the Sacramento area over the last two decades. As Training Manager at ACWA JPIA, Sarah focuses on development, customization, delivery, and evaluation of training and leadership professional development initiatives, serving front line staff to executives.
She is a CSU Sacramento alumnus with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with an Organization Communication emphasis and attained a Masters in Human Resources and Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. She began her career as a learning specialist in the financial services industry and since then has also been a small business owner, recruiter, and training officer serving the State of California at CalPERS and Caltrans. She has been a member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) since 2013 and has served on the ATD Sacramento Board of Directors as Co-Director of Programs and Board President.
Sarah Crawford, Training Manager
Sarah Crawford has been a training and talent development professional in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the Sacramento area over the last two decades. As Training Manager at ACWA JPIA, Sarah focuses on development, customization, delivery, and evaluation of training and leadership professional development initiatives, serving front line staff to executives.
She is a CSU Sacramento alumnus with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with an Organization Communication emphasis and attained a Masters in Human Resources and Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. She began her career as a learning specialist in the financial services industry and since then has also been a small business owner, recruiter, and training officer serving the State of California at CalPERS and Caltrans. She has been a member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) since 2013 and has served on the ATD Sacramento Board of Directors as Co-Director of Programs and Board President.
Erin Bowles, Workers Compensation Claims Manager
Erin Bowles is the Workers Compensation Claims Manager with ACWA JPIA, where she holds the responsibility of strategically planning, organizing, supervising, and coordinating the operations of the Workers’ Compensation Claims Department.
Erin has 28 years in the insurance industry encompassing a wide range of areas, including ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, streamlining insurance processes, optimizing claims management operations, conducting comprehensive training, implementing effective reserving techniques, managing process improvement projects, and overseeing litigation performance.
Erin has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration. She also holds State of a California Self-Insurance Administrator’s Certificate, CA Fire and Casualty Broker-Agent License, and IEA Workers’ Compensation Claims Administration Certificate.
Erin Bowles, Workers Compensation Claims Manager
Erin Bowles is the Workers Compensation Claims Manager with ACWA JPIA, where she holds the responsibility of strategically planning, organizing, supervising, and coordinating the operations of the Workers’ Compensation Claims Department.
Erin has 28 years in the insurance industry encompassing a wide range of areas, including ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, streamlining insurance processes, optimizing claims management operations, conducting comprehensive training, implementing effective reserving techniques, managing process improvement projects, and overseeing litigation performance.
Erin has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration. She also holds State of a California Self-Insurance Administrator’s Certificate, CA Fire and Casualty Broker-Agent License, and IEA Workers’ Compensation Claims Administration Certificate.
Monica Sisco, Senior Workers’ Compensation Claims Examiner
Monica Sisco is a Senior Workers’ Compensation Claims Examiner. She joined the ACWA JPIA in June 2004. As a claims examiner, Monica helps employers and injured workers navigate the California workers’ compensation system.
Monica has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration. She holds a State of a California Self-Insurance Administrator’s Certificate as well as Workers’ Compensation Claims Administration (WCCA) and Workers’ Compensation Claims Professional (WCCP) certificates.
Monica Sisco, Senior Workers’ Compensation Claims Examiner
Monica Sisco is a Senior Workers’ Compensation Claims Examiner. She joined the ACWA JPIA in June 2004. As a claims examiner, Monica helps employers and injured workers navigate the California workers’ compensation system.
Monica has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration. She holds a State of a California Self-Insurance Administrator’s Certificate as well as Workers’ Compensation Claims Administration (WCCA) and Workers’ Compensation Claims Professional (WCCP) certificates.