Our Staff

About Us

Roland Sanford

General Manager

Roland Sanford has over 35 years of technical and managerial experience in water resources.

He was with the Solano County Water Agency from 1990 to 2003, at which time he served

primarily in a technical role, and returned in 2015 as General Manager. Prior to returning to the

Solano County Water Agency, Mr. Sanford served as the General Manager of the Mendocino

County Water Agency for eight years, followed by three years as the General Manager of the

Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District. He holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental

Engineering from the University of Washington, a B.S. Degree in Fisheries from Humboldt State

University, and a Double B.A. in Biology/Zoology from Humboldt State University.

Chris Lee

Assistant General Manager

Chris has twenty-five years’ experience with endangered species, environmental compliance, and permitting issues; the last sixteen years which have been with the Water Agency. Chris’ primary responsibilities with the Water Agency include regulatory and permitting compliance and long-range planning, which includes managing the Solano Habitat Conservation Plan, SGMA compliance and development of the Solano Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan in conjunction with the other GSA’s in the subbasin, and coordinating and assisting Member Agencies within Solano County. Chris holds a BS in Biological Sciences from California State University, Stanislaus.

Thomas Pate, P.E.

Principal Water Resources Engineer

Thomas Pate is the Principal Engineer of the Solano County Water Agency. He has nearly 25 years of civil engineering experience, most of which have been serving the public in California water resources matters. Thomas has been with the Agency since 2003 and serves as the Agency’s District Engineer as the ranking PE on staff. He is also in primary charge of all the Agency’s State Water Project needs and overall water policy analysis, development, and advocacy. Thomas also played an integral role in implementing large scale steam restoration projects along Lower Putah Creek. He previously worked for the California Department of Water Resources performing Delta modeling and statewide fish passage improvement. Thomas is a licensed Civil Engineer and has a B.S. in Environmental Resource Engineering from Humboldt State University with an emphasis in water resources management specialized in optimization, modeling, hydraulics, fluvial morphology, and anadromous fisheries.

Alex Rabidoux

Principal Water Resources Engineer

Alex Rabidoux has been with the Water Agency for over 15-years working on a variety of water quality, engineering, and flood control projects. Alex’s primary responsibilities include overseeing the Engineering and Water Quality Team, supporting SCWA’s member agencies on regional water supply and flood control projects, and providing technical support on Delta and State Water Project related issues. Alex is proud to be part of the Water Agency team, protecting Solano County’s regional water supply and serving the residents of Solano County. Alex graduated with a Master of Science degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from UC Davis in 2005 and is a licensed Civil Engineer.

Rich Marovich

Streamkeeper

Rich has been Streamkeeper since 2000, leading complex and cooperative projects to protect the resources of Lower Putah Creek. He has won over $12 million in competitive grants for physical and biological studies, community planning and habitat enhancement projects including: abating and deterring trespass and illegal dumping; controlling invasive weeds; stabilizing eroding banks; restoring natural channel form and function; and establishing native vegetation. He also manages a native plant nursery staffed with community volunteers. His prior experience includes 25 years with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (part time since 2000) leading a statewide program to protect listed species from pesticide exposure. He obtained a B.S. in Plant Science (Horticulture) from U.C. Davis in 1978.

Jay Cuetara

Supervising Water Resources Engineer

Jay is responsible for data collection efforts of the Solano County Water Agency and manages the database and web sites that provide the information to operations staff and the public. He maintains all instrumentation, telemetry equipment, new equipment installations, and develops/maintains flow rating curves. Jay has a Civil Engineering degree from the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He worked with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for 12 years before starting with the Solano County Water Agency in 2006. During his time with the USGS he was the special study manager for the San Francisco Bay & Delta Hydrodynamics Division and helped develop and maintain the flow network in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Andrew Florendo

Water Conservation Coordinator

Andy Florendo is a Senior Water Resource Specialist with Solano County Water Agency. He has been with the water agency since 2006 and is responsible for implementation of the Agency’s Water Use Efficiency Program. Prior to coming to Solano County Water Agency, Andy worked for Zone 7 Water Agency where he was in charge of that Agency’s water conservation program. He first became involved with water conservation and water use planning during the 1987 – 1992 drought. Prior to his involvement in water conservation, Andy was responsible for Zone 7’s stream flow monitoring stations where his duties included stream gaging, flow record administration, and groundwater measurement.
Andy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries Management from Humboldt State University. After graduation, Andy was hired as a biological technician with the Bureau of Land Management in Medford, Oregon where he worked on an environmental assessment study measuring the effects of cattle on streams. Andy also has work experience with the California Department of Fish and Game (Wildlife) as a student assistant. He worked with Fish and Game in both marine and freshwater fisheries management at locations from Redding to Long Beach.

Mark Snyder

Supervising Water Resources Specialist

Mark Snyder graduated from UC Davis in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Resource Sciences with an emphasis in hydrobiology. After college, Mark worked for an environmental consulting firm where he conducted wetland delineations and biological monitoring of upland and wetland mitigation sites. Mark began working with the Solano County Water Agency in 2006. Mark’s current responsibilities include Lower Putah Creek flow compliance, environmental permitting and compliance, property management, safety, and fleet management.

Marcie Fehrenkamp

Financial Accountant II

Marcie has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Sonoma State University, in Management with emphasis in Accounting. At the Water Agency, Marcie is responsible for Monthly Financial Reporting, Invoicing and Accounts Receivable, the Annual Financial Audit, General Accounting and both the Annual Budget and Mid-year budget processes. . Marcie’s past experience includes Full-Cycle accounting for Out Patient Surgery Centers and as an Accounting Services Supervisor for a Scientific R&D company, including Monthly Financial Reporting, Quarterly SEC Reports, Stock Plan Administration, and other special projects.

Duc Jones

Senior Water Resources Technician

As a veteran of the US Coast Guard and a background in aviation structural mechanic and heavy equipment fabrication and repair, Duc helps the Water Agency to design, maintain, and operate a variety of equipment specific to creek management and improvement. Duc holds two degrees, one in Natural Resources and the other in Park Management. Duc is able to apply his skills to the numerous restoration sites throughout the county that the Agency creates. Duc’s passion and love for the environment and nature, along with the Agency goal to provide a clean manageable watershed, help provide Solano County with fresh water with minimal carbon footprint throughout Solano County.

Sandra Willingmyre

Accountant II

Sandra holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Applied Computer Graphics from California State University, Chico where she developed her love for natural resources taking environmental ethics courses and volunteering for the Chico State Sustainable Gardening program. Sandra started as the Administrative Assistant with Solano County Water Agency in 2012. With the Agency’s support Sandra went on to receive a Master’s degree in Accounting from California State University, Sacramento and was promoted to Accountant in 2016. Sandra holds a Certified Professional certification from the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR). Sandra currently provides financial, human resources, and administrative support to the Water Agency.

Jeff Barich

Assistant Water Resources Engineer

As Assistant Water Resources Engineer, Jeff works on a variety of projects for SCWA. These include managing the operations and maintenance for the Green Valley Flood Control Project and the Ulatis Flood Control Project. Jeff also does field surveying and engineering design for creek restoration projects for the Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee, as well as provide engineering support and construction management for other such projects. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering (2013) and a Master of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2014) both from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Sabrina Colias

Senior Water Resources Specialist

Sabrina holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Studies from Sacramento State University. Prior to the Agency, she worked for Sonoma County where she provided mapping support and monitored conservation easements for compliance. Sabrina began working with the Agency in 2016 with primary responsibilities of the Agency’s intern program, grant administration, event coordination, and project management of various water resources and conservation projects such as the Lake Berryessa Mussel Prevention Program, Westside IRWM Committee, and Landscape Assistance Program. She has acquired nearly $1 million dollars in competitive grants to support projects she is responsible for.

Katherine Ashley

Administrative Assistant

Katherine has been with Solano County Water Agency since 2016 and has a wide variety of responsibilities within the Agency. Her key roles are Accounts Payable and Office Management. She provides Administrative Support to the entire staff. Katherine brings a very diverse background of experience and skills to the Agency which includes several years in Human Resources, Finance, Administration and Fleet Management. She has a Degree in Business Management and is a commissioned Notary Public.

Nicolle Herr

Assistant Water Resources Specialist

Nicolle has been with Solano County Water Agency since September of 2016 working under the Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee on Riparian Restoration Projects. Her key roles include grant management and administration, planning, and implementation of restoration projects along Putah Creek. Nicolle graduated from UC Davis in spring of 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecological Management and Restoration. Nicolle has volunteered with other restoration projects throughout the Bay Area and Sacramento region, and comes from a background as an entrepreneur.

Gustavo Cruz

Assistant Water Resources Engineer

Gustavo started with Solano County Water Agency in 2018 as an Assistant Water Resources Engineer. His duties and responsibilities include the Ulatis and Green Valley Flood Control Projects, working with consultants on various flood related projects, and administering the Flood Control Advisory Committee. He also does field surveying and provides engineering support for the water agency. Gustavo graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from UC Merced in 2016.

Zachary Hyer

Water Resources Technician

Zach began working for the Solano County Water Agency in 2018 as an intern. Zach is now the head decontamination technician and inspection technician for the Lake Berryessa Mussel Prevention Program. Zach also assists Peterson Ranch habitat restoration projects. Zach Graduated from California State University Stanislaus with a Bachelor of Science in International Business. Before working for the Agency Zach was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army.

Justin Pascual

Associate Water Resources Specialist

Justin has been with Solano County Water Agency since 2017 with responsibilities in providing assistance in the Engineering and Water Quality department, as well as the permitting/groundwater management department. His key roles include: overseeing water quality and instrumentation, collecting and developing groundwater well data, maintaining ADCP flow stations, and providing staff support in field and hydrologic scientific investigations. Justin graduated from University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hydrology.