WELL UnTapped 2022 Fellows
Jorgel Chavez
Jorgel Chavez was elected as a council member to the City of Bell Gardens in 2020. He graduated from the University of Southern California with his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Masters in Public Administration. Chavez is passionate about Bell Gardens and the SELA (South East Los Angeles) communities. He hopes to expand his knowledge surrounding complex water policy that can benefit not only his community but also the region.
Leticia Gonzalez
Supervisor Leticia Gonzalez was first elected to the Madera County Board of Supervisors to represent District Four in March 2020. She graduated with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Sociology from California State University Stanislaus. She is a strong voice for working families, small businesses, fair wages, as well as building an affordable and accessible quality of life for District 4 residents. She is an advocate for public health, women’s rights, veterans, a sustainable environment, and social justice.
Debra Lucero
Debra Lucero ran for county supervisor in Butte County and was elected in 2018. Her experience includes working in economic development in agriculture, tourism, business, arts, and culture. She is a proud graduate of CSU, Chico. She is a member of AAUW, Butte County Historical Society, and the Bidwell Mansion Association.
David L. Muse
David L. Muse currently holds the position of President of the Board of Directors for the Valley County Water District. David has a history of community service, holding various positions in community organizations. He also served as a Personnel and Planning Commissioner for the City of Baldwin Park. David is passionate about expanding opportunities in the water industry for individuals of color and women.
Oscar Ortiz
Oscar Ortiz was elected to represent District 4 in the Indio City Council in 2018. Oscar was born in Mexicali, Baja California, and raised in Indio, CA. He attended Stanford University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. Oscar serves on the CVAG Energy and Environment Commission, SCAG Energy and Environment Commission, and is a board member for Friends of the Desert Mountains.
Lenet Pacheco
Director Pacheco was first elected to serve on the Board of the Valley County Water District (VCWD) in 2009. She attended Citrus College taking business courses and water technology courses. Born in an agricultural region of Mexico, Director Pacheco understands the importance of hard work and the value of water. Director Pacheco advocates for the constituents of the District and continues providing safe, affordable, clean, and reliable water resources.
Dr. Monica Sánchez
Dr. Monica Sánchez was elected to the Pico Rivera City Council in a Special Election held in November 2019. Dr. Sánchez earned a Doctorate and Master’s degree in Education from UCLA and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and is an alumna of Rio Hondo College. Dr. Sánchez works as an educator for the Los Angeles County Office of Education and advocates for women, children, and public health.
Danielle Soto
Danielle was elected in 2020 to represent Division 6 for the Three Valleys Municipal Water District. She attended UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) and earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies. Since 2009, Danielle has worked at the South Coast Air Quality Management District as part of the Legislative Public Affairs and Media team. Danielle’s passion for public service was cultivated by her family.
Cheryl Sudduth
Ms. Sudduth was elected to the West County Wastewater District Board in November 2018 and currently serves as Board President for the 2021 term. Ms. Sudduth is a Senior Government Contracts Director, Negotiator, and Compliance Officer, with more than 25 years of business and legal experience. Ms. Sudduth is an alum of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where she studied Cellular & Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Ms. Sudduth has been fully engaged in empowering the next generation.
Eddie Valero
Supervisor Eddie Valero, first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2018, serves as Tulare County Supervisor representing District 4. Supervisor Valero received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cornell University. He has been working with the greater North County to positively impact at-risk youth, particularly fatherless young men, throughout the Central Valley. He is a servant leader who believes in community voice and collaboration while valuing ideas and interests.
Sherry Wanninger
Sherry Wanninger was elected to serve as a Director of the Moulton Niguel Water District in 2020. Director Wanninger obtained her MBA from DePaul University and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Business. Director Wanninger has more than three decades of experience in finance and contracts, including 20 years at a Fortune 100 company. Ms. Wanninger believes in prioritizing long-term water resiliency to build on the District’s success at delivering safe, reliable, and affordable water services.
Monica E. Wilson
Monica E. Wilson is currently the Vice Mayor and serving her third term on the Antioch City Council. Ms. Wilson earned her Bachelor of Science in Merchandising/Business from Howard University and earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix. Ms. Wilson serves the community by advocating for those whose voices need to be heard. She is committed to making sure those experiencing trauma and mental illness are not criminalized.
Cindy Wu
Cindy Wu was elected to the Mountain View School District Board of Education in November 2018. For the last 20 years, Wu has dedicated her life to furthering education. As an immigrant child herself, Ms. Wu sympathizes with kids in the district, so many of whom are English learners. She became the first in her family to graduate from a university -USC, and UCLA, she also attended Stanford University and Beijing University. She is passionate about making a difference in this world and leaving a legacy.
James Crawford
James Crawford is a District Manager for California Water Service Company, the 3rd largest privately invested water provider in the United States. Jim has more than 25 years of extensive knowledge and experience in the water industry. He holds a State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Four and Water Treatment Two certifications. He also holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Cerritos College. Jim is involved with several charitable and government organizations and is a passionate and active volunteer in his community.
