Leadership Team

Karen Williams is the General Manager at SAWPA. She directs the Finance Department and is responsible for all of the agency’s financial functions, including accounting, audit, treasury, and budget. She also assists the General Manager in the planning, development, implementation, and operations of agency initiatives and projects.

She has over 36 years of experience in financial management and business leadership in both the public and private sector. She joined SAWPA in 2001.

Karen received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from California State University, San Bernardino. She holds Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified California Municipal Treasurer (CCMT), Certified Government Investment Professional (CGIP), and Advanced Certified Public Funds Investment Manager (ACPFIM) certifications.

Shavonne Turner is the Administrative Services Manager at SAWPA. With 18 years of dedicated experience in the water industry, Shavonne began her professional journey in 2006 as a Customer Service Specialist in Orange County. Since then, she has held diverse roles, encompassing customer service, public affairs, community engagement, water efficiency, water resources, and program management, across both Orange County and San Bernardino County.

Shavonne specializes in implementing innovative strategies and spearheading community engagement initiatives.

Shavonne holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration, providing her with a robust foundation for her impactful contributions to the water industry.

Dean Unger is the Information Systems and Technology Manager at SAWPA. Along with managing the Information Technology Department, he is responsible for all of the agency’s software, hardware, and network, including security systems, phone systems, and electronic equipment. He joined SAWPA in 2007.

He has over 35 years of experience in IT Project Management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in both the public and private sector. Dean previously provided IT Services to the Cities of Chino, Lake Forest, Riverside, and the County of Sonoma, while working at Affiliated Computer Solutions (ACS). His IT projects range from delivering a CLETS line, code enforcement applications, document management systems, and backup systems as well major upgrades to network infrastructure.

Dean also worked at ESRI providing GIS programming services to major government agencies such as TVA, BLM, and USGS, along with services to such agencies and companies as Houston Light and Power, Michelin Tires, and Taco Bell.

Dean received his bachelor’s degree in Geography from California State University, Fullerton. He has taught GIS Classes through the University of Riverside Extension as well as classes at the annual ESRI Conference.

David Ruhl is SAWPA’s Executive Manager of Engineering and Operations, where he oversees the Engineering and Operations Department. He is responsible for the planning, design, construction of capital projects, operations, maintenance, and permitting and pretreatment for SAWPA’s 73-mile, $344 million regional Brine Line. David has been with SAWPA since 2006.

Prior to SAWPA, David was a Senior Engineer for Central and West Basin Municipal Water Districts managing a variety of water resource projects in Los Angeles County.

David is a registered professional civil engineer in California and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, a minor in Business Administration, and a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Loyola Marymount University and has over 29 years of experience in the fields of water, reclaimed water, wastewater, and civil engineering.

Ian Achimore is a Senior Watershed Manager at SAWPA and administers a number of efforts for the agency including water resources planning, invasive species removal programs, and habitat restoration projects. He serves as the lead administrator for the Santa Ana Sucker Conservation Team, the Arundo Removal and Habitat Management Fund, and the One Water One Watershed (OWOW) Program. Ian is also responsible for advancing some of the water use efficiency programs under the SAWPA Project Agreement 22 Committee.

Prior to SAWPA, Ian worked as a Program Analyst and Acting Special Assistant at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C.

He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his Master of Public Policy Degree from Georgetown University.

Rick Whetsel is a Senior Watershed Manager at SAWPA. He administers a variety of planning projects, including SAWPA’s Disadvantaged Community Involvement Program, the Water Energy Community Action Network turf removal program, and three stakeholder-driven Task Force efforts to implement Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake and the Middle Santa Ana River as well as a regional water quality monitoring Task Force.

Rick’s duties also include preparing and contributing to numerous watershed reports and plans, including the renowned Integrated Regional Water Management Plan and the One Water One Watershed Plan. He has been instrumental in the preparation of successful grant applications as well as lending his planning expertise toward the development of GIS-based Web applications.

Rick’s extensive water resources background includes nearly 35 years of experience in project management, hydrologic and water quality modeling encompassing watershed assessment and TMDL implementation, and the development of analytical laboratory methods. His multifaceted technical background includes his experience as an Environmental Scientist and Chemist. Rick earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science Degree in Resource Economics from West Virginia University.

Lucas Gilbert is SAWPA’s Manager of Permitting and Pretreatment and is responsible for implementation and oversight of the entire distributed Permitting and Pretreatment Program for the Inland Empire Brine Line. He oversees the permitting and regulation of dischargers to the Brine Line, development and preparation of proposed changes to policies and procedures to ensure SAWPA’s program complies with all Federal, State, and local discharge requirements, as well as coordination with Orange County Sanitation District and SAWPA member and contract agencies.

Lucas has over 20 years of experience in developing and managing pretreatment programs.  He joined SAWPA in 2014.

Lucas received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Indiana University and his Master of Fine Arts Degree in Animation from Ball State University.  He holds an Environmental Compliance Inspector Grade IV certification.

Daniel Vasquez is the Manager of Operations at SAWPA. He oversees the Brine Line Maintenance and Operations division and contributes to the planning, design, and implementation of Capital Improvement Projects. Brine Line Operations is responsible for the maintenance, cleaning, inspection, and emergency response for over 73 miles of salinity management collections systems.

Daniel has over 13 years of management experience in industrial settings. He previously managed maintenance for three Wastewater Treatment Plants at South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA), has managed a medical device sanitation plant, supervised training operations for cogeneration power plant commissioning, and operated nuclear reactors for the United States Navy.

Daniel obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Science from Thomas Edison State University with a major in Nuclear Energy Engineering Technology and a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from California Baptist University.