Lahontan Regional Board Members

California Water Code Section 13201 provides for the Governor to appoint nine members to the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Each member shall reside or have a principal place of business within the region. Appointments are made to fulfill seven categories of representation; water supply; conservation and production; irrigated agriculture; industrial water use; municipal government; county government; recreation, fish and wildlife; public; and two water quality members. Appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

The following members are currently serving on the Lahontan Region Board:

Jack Clarke, (Chair) Water Supply, Board Member

Mr. Clarke, of Apple Valley, has more than 30 years of experience in water utility management and has extensive knowledge of high desert water issues. He is currently vice president and general manager of Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company, a position he has held since 1982. From 1974 to 1982, Mr. Clarke worked as an area manager for the Southern California Water Company. He also served as foreman and purchasing agent for Granite Construction from 1969 to 1974 and was the water quality inspector and filter plant operator for the Contra Costa County Water District from 1962 to 1969. Mr. Clarke’s term expires on 09/18/10.

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Mike Dispenza , Municipal Government, Board Member

Born in Louisiana; University graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacology.Three children, five grandchildren. First wife deceased. Remarried to Sarah Darlene.

Joined State Farm Insurance Company in 1975, served in management from 1978 to 1988. Returned to personal production in Palmdale, California. Past President of Life Underwriters. State Farm Presidents Club, 3 years. State Farm Millionaire’s Club, 19 years.

Founder of Palmdale Education Foundation; Founding member of the Palmdale Sheriff Boosters; Board Member of Antelope Valley Board of Trade and produced 2 major videos translated into 6 different languages highlighting the Antelope Valley for Industry and Business location. Named in Who’s Who, Internationally; twice honored as Outstanding Citizen of the Year by Palmdale Chamber of Commerce; in 2000 named the Outstanding Good Neighbor by the Antelope Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross; in 1998 chaired the most successful local fundraising campaign for United Way. Past President of Church Advisory Council.

Elected by the widest margin ever for a non-incumbent to the Palmdale City Council in November of 1999. Elected to Mayor ProTem by members of the council, and have held the position for 7 years. Past President of Desert Mountains Division California League of Cities. Member League of Cities State Transportation Communications and Public Works Committee, and Contract Cities State Legislative Committee. Chairman, Cities/Counties Contracts Committee for the 5 County areas for California Contract Cities. Committee Member for Southern California Association of Governments Growth & Development. Member of the Growth Visioning Committee for Southern California Association of Governments. Elected to Regional Council Southern California Association of Governments, Board Member and Vice Chair for Antelope Valley Transportation Authority, Chairman of Board of Mojave (AVAQMD) Air Quality Management District. Delegate to LA County Sanitation District. As of 2002, member of the Leadership Training Council for the National League of Cities. Will be one of the first elected officials (4 others), to achieve the Platinum level of Leadership Training for the National League of Cities, awarded December 2003 in Nashville Tennessee. Just elected Vice Chair for the Antelope Valley Transportation Agency.

Mr. Dispenza’s term expires on 09/30/11.

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Keith Dyas, Industrial Water Use, Board Member

Mr. Dyas, of Rosamond, has been an environmental and civil engineer at Edwards Air Force Base for 20 years. Previously, he was an engineer at Occidental Petroleum Corp. He has served on many local boards including, the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency and the Eastern Kern County Resource Conservation District. Mr. Dyas served as a director of the Rosamond Town Council. Mr. Dyas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Cal Poly, Pomona and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Fresno State University. Mr. Dyas’ term expires on 09/30/08.

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Amy Horne, Ph.D. Rec. Fish or Wildlife, Board Member

Dr. Horne, of Truckee, is President of Amy Horne and Associates. She holds a doctorate degree in forest science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She also holds masters of public administration and bachelors in economics degrees, both from the University of Wisconsin. From 1998 to 2005, she was research director for the Sierra Business Council, where she produced the award-winning Sierra Nevada Wealth Index and Investing for Prosperity, a comprehensive guide to rural economic development. Between 1993 and 1997, she worked for the Pacific Northwest Research Station of the USDA Forest Service, where she conducted the economic assessment for the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project. Dr. Horne is a member of the California Native Plant Society. Dr. Horne’s term expires on 09/18/10.

Don Jardine, County Government

Mr. Jardine, of Alpine County, has been a member of the Alpine County Board of Supervisors for over 21 years.  He is currently a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Carson Water Subconservancy District, Alpine County Water Agency, Alpine County Local Agency Formation Commission, Alpine County Board Liaison to the Alpine Watershed Group and Alpine Fire Safe Council and is a member of the Markleeville Volunteer Fire Department.  In past years, he has served with Alpine County Search and Rescue and Alpine County Library Commission, and as an Alpine County Reserve Deputy Sheriff and Alpine County Emergency Medical Technician.  Mr. Jardine’s term expires on 09/30/08.

Eric Sandel, P.E., (Vice-Chair), Water Quality, Board Member

Mr. Sandel, of Truckee, has been a member of the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board since 1992. He is the principal of S.A. Engineering, an electrical engineering firm in Truckee. Mr. Sandel also serves as a member of the Nevada County Elections Board and the Truckee-Tahoe Engineers Association. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Massachusetts. Mr. Sandel’s term expires on 09/30/09.

Susan J. Van Dam, Irrigated Agriculture, Board Member

Ms. Van Dam, of Barstow, has operated the B&E Dairy for 16 years. Previously she was a nurse at Inner Community Hospital in Covina and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Wisconsin. Ms. Van Dam is also a member of 4-H and the San Bernardino Farm Bureau. Ms. Van Dam’s term expires on 09/30/08.

Vacant, Undesignated (Public)

Vacant, Water Quality

( updated 8/4/08 )