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Board of Directors and management team

The Las Vegas Valley Water District is governed by a Board of Directors composed of Clark County Commissioners. An Executive Team oversees the daily operations.

Board of Directors

The Las Vegas Valley Water District's Board of Directors is responsible for governing the district's activities and appointing the general manager.

Marilyn Kirkpatrick, President

Portrait of Marilyn Kirkpatrick

Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick joined the County Commission in August 2015 when she was appointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval to fill a vacancy on the commission. At the time, Commissioner Kirkpatrick was serving in the capacity of Assemblywoman for Nevada's Legislative District 1. She was first elected to the Nevada Legislature in 2004 and served five regular and seven special sessions in Carson City before the appointment. In 2013, she was elected Speaker of the Assembly and prior in 2011, she was the only member of the Assembly to chair two committees: Government Affairs and Taxation. She is now serving a four-year term on the Commission after being elected as Commissioner of District B in 2016.

Commissioner Kirkpatrick, who is a native Nevadan, grew up in Clark County. She graduated from Western High School and attended Krolack Business School and the Community College of Southern Nevada. Commissioner Kirkpatrick is married to her husband, Michael, and together they have six children, six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

For more information about Commissioner Kirkpatrick, visit the Clark County website.

James Gibson, Vice President

Portrait of Jim Gibson

A former three-term Mayor of Henderson and a practicing attorney in business and commercial law for more than 35 years, James Gibson was appointed to the Clark County Commission in July 2017.

While mayor of Henderson, Gibson guided the city through a period of unprecedented growth as it became the second-largest city in Nevada.

A native Nevadan, born in Las Vegas and a near lifetime resident of Henderson, Gibson has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors, the Nevada Development Authority Board of Directors, the Las Vegas Events Board of Directors, the Regional Transportation Commission and as Co-Chair of the Civilian Military Council for Nellis Air Force Base. In the private sector, Gibson served on the St. Rose Dominican Hospital Board of Directors.

Gibson is president of Western Elite, a full-service waste services provider in Clark County. He previously served as General Counsel of American Pacific Corporation operating subsidiaries, president of the Las Vegas Monorail Company, and president and chief executive officer of Vegas.com.

For more information about Commissioner Gibson, visit the Clark County website.

Justin Jones

Portrait of Justin Jones

Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones was elected to the Clark County Commission in January 2019.

Jones served in the Nevada State Senate as an assistant majority whip from 2012 to 2014.

He has provided pro bono representation to child victims of domestic abuse and neglect through the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada's Children's Attorney Project. He also has served as chair on the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada and Battle Born Progress, as a board member for United Way of Southern Nevada and Emerge Nevada, and as a founding board member of Nevadans for Background Checks.

Jones has been a practicing attorney in Nevada since graduating from George Washington University Law School in 2001. Before entering private practice, Commissioner Jones served as a law clerk to the Honorable Roger L. Hunt of the United States District Court, District of Nevada.

He and his wife have two children.

For more information about Commissioner Jones, visit the Clark County website.

William McCurdy II

William McCurdy II

Clark County Commissioner William McCurdy was elected to the Clark County Commission in January 2021.

McCurdy previously served two terms in the Nevada State Legislature as the representative for Assembly District 6 from 2016 to 2020. During his tenure as Assemblyman, he was elected as the first African American and youngest chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party. Prior to his service in the Nevada Legislature, McCurdy was an organizer with the Service Employees International Union where he elevated to state political director.

McCurdy is a native Las Vegan, born in the Commission District he now represents. As a former student body president at the College of Southern Nevada, McCurdy received an Associate's degree and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's of Arts in Urban Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He plans to attain a law degree in the future.

McCurdy enjoys spending time with family, especially attending sporting events with his two sons.

For more information about Commissioner McCurdy, visit the Clark County website.

Ross Miller

Portrait of Ross Miller

Former Nevada Secretary of State and Deputy District Attorney Ross Miller joined the Clark County Commission in January 2021.

Commissioner Miller’s career in public service includes past memberships on numerous boards, commissions, committees and as Nevada’s Secretary of State. As a former Clark County Deputy District Attorney, Miller prosecuted thousands of cases for murder, sexual assault, armed robbery, drug trafficking and kidnapping.

Born in Las Vegas and raised in Carson City, Miller is the son of former Nevada Governor Bob Miller and First Lady Sandy Miller. He holds dual post-graduate degrees, a law degree and an MBA, from Loyola Marymount University; and prior to that, Miller received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. Miller has two daughters and one son.

For more information about Commissioner Miller, visit the Clark County website.

Michael Naft

Portrait of Michael Naft

A Clark County resident for more than 25 years, Michael Naft joined the Clark County Commission in January 2019.

Prior to his role as a commissioner, he served as district director to Congresswoman Dina Titus, working with hundreds of federal agencies, departments, and commissions.

He also has worked and consulted for numerous local, state, and federal officials, and advised several nonprofit organizations.

Naft attended the Las Vegas Academy of Performing and Visual Arts and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He and his wife are Henderson residents.

For more information about Commissioner Naft, visit the Clark County website.

Tick Segerblom

Portrait of Tick Segerblom

A third-generation Nevadan and a fourth-generation Nevada state representative, Tick Segerblom joined the Clark County Commission in January 2019. He previously served in the state Assembly from 2006 to 2012 and as a state senator from 2012 to 2018.

Before entering politics in Nevada, Segerblom served in the White House Personnel Office for President Jimmy Carter. He was later appointed by former Nevada Governor Richard Bryan to the Colorado River Commission, where he served from 1988 to 1990. In 1990, he was elected to a four-year term as state chair of the Nevada Democratic Party.

A graduate of Pomona College in California and the University of Denver Law School, Segerblom practices law, specializing in employee-employer relations.

He and his wife have three children.

For more information about Commissioner Segerblom, visit the Clark County website.

Board meetings

The Water District Board of Directors meets the first Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Clark County Commission Chambers located at 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy. The meetings are open to the public and notices are posted publicly before each meeting.

In accordance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law, agendas for regular meetings are available at least three days before each meeting.

Members of the public are welcome to speak about matters on the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. The public may address issues that are not on the agenda, once all matters listed on the official agenda have been discussed. The board cannot, however, take action on items not listed on the official agenda.

Original agenda items, along with any attachments, are on file in the General Manager's office at the Water District, 1001 S. Valley View Blvd.

Meeting agendas and minutes

Executive Team

The Water District's Executive Team oversees the district's day-to-day operations.

John J. Entsminger, General Manager

Portrait of John Entsminger

John J. Entsminger oversees the operations of the Las Vegas Valley Water District, which serves more than 375,000 customer accounts, and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which is responsible for acquiring, treating and delivering water to local agencies that collectively serve 2 million residents and more than 40 million annual visitors. He was appointed general manager by both agencies' Boards of Directors in early 2014, having previously served as director of environmental and water resource law and senior deputy general manager. Entsminger joined the organization in 1999 as an attorney.

Entsminger has spent his career addressing the unique water challenges facing Southern Nevada. He has been instrumental in developing inter basin and international agreements protecting Lake Mead water elevations, including the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines and Minute 319 to the 1944 U.S. - Mexico Water Treaty. In April 2014, he was appointed by Governor Sandoval to serve as Nevada's lead negotiator on Colorado River matters.

On the national front, Entsminger serves on the Boards of Directors of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and the Water Research Foundation, and the Desert Research Institute Foundation Board of Trustees.

Committed to public involvement, Entsminger works closely with a committee of community stakeholders tasked with making recommendations on issues related to funding, planning and facilities construction and maintenance. These recommendations will guide future organizational initiatives, including a renewed commitment to maintaining its vast water systems.

Entsminger is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado and of the University of Colorado School of Law, where he was awarded the Charles N. Woodruff Natural Resources Law Fellowship. He and his family have been in Las Vegas for nearly 20 years.

David L. Johnson, Deputy General Manager, Operations

Portrait of David Johnson

David L. Johnson is the Deputy General Manager of Operations at the Las Vegas Valley Water District and Southern Nevada Water Authority.

Mr. Johnson has been with the organization since 2004 and manages five departments with more than 600 employees within the Water Quality & Treatment; Operations; Information Technology; Human Resources; and Environmental, Health and Safety and Corporate Security departments. These departments are primarily responsible for the protection, treatment, and distribution of millions of gallons of safe drinking water within Southern Nevada to 2.2 million residents and visitors every day.

With over 30 years of experience in management relating to water supply, water quality and treatment, and chemical manufacturing in Nevada and New York, David brings innovative and forward-thinking initiatives to Southern Nevada’s water system. Mr. Johnson utilizes his knowledge in identifying solutions and launching pilot and full-scale projects to manage key operations of the organization.

Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman of the Board for WaterStart, a non-profit organization connecting innovative technology companies with global water agencies seeking solutions to enhance operations. David is also a member of the American Water Works Association, WateReuse Association, American Public Works Association, Water Environment Federation, International Ozone Association and Nevada Water Resources Association.

David earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and maintains Level 4 Water Treatment and Level 4 Distribution certifications from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.

David and his wife, Lisa, have lived in southern Nevada for nearly 25 years where they raised four children.

Colby Pellegrino, Deputy General Manager, Resources

Portrait of DGM Colby Pellegrino

Colby Pellegrino is the Deputy General Manager of Resources for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

After joining the agency in 2003, Pellegrino served as an instrumental part of the Water Resources division, supporting Colorado River modeling efforts to anticipate changes caused by climate change, reduced flows, and other inputs.

In her current capacity, she is responsible for the management of the Water Authority’s water resource portfolio, which includes protecting Nevada’s interests and rights to Colorado River water through interstate negotiations, developing regional water conservation programs, managing groundwater resources, and water resource planning.

Pellegrino also serves on the Board of Alliance for Water Efficiency, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water and water conservation advocacy throughout North America.

A native of Las Vegas, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.

Pellegrino has two children and is an avid cook, hiker, and outdoors enthusiast.

Doa Ross, P.E. Deputy General Manager, Engineering

Portrait of Doa Ross

Doa Ross is the Deputy General Manager of Engineering for the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

Ross joined the organization in 2000 and throughout her career she has been instrumental in the design and construction of critical water infrastructure, asset management, expansions in support of development and ensuring system reliability for southern Nevada's residents and visitor population.

In her current capacity, she is responsible for executing the design and construction of the critical water projects included in the Water Authority's Major Construction and Capital Program and the District's Capital Improvement Plan. Ross has a passion for innovation in the areas of smart water technology and water loss management and incorporates innovative solutions into the projects and management of the system. Her departments include Engineering, Infrastructure Management and Customer Care & Field Services.

Ross graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, is a licensed professional engineer and has served on multiple committees and boards in the areas of innovation, engineering design, construction best practices and materials performance.

E. Kevin Bethel, Chief Financial Officer

Portrait of Kevin Bethel

E. Kevin Bethel is the chief financial officer for the Las Vegas Valley Water District and Southern Nevada Water Authority.

As the chief financial officer, Bethel is responsible for all financial functions, including debt management, capital planning, financial reporting, budgeting as well as water rates and charges for both agencies, which collectively serve more than 2 million residents and 40 million annual visitors in Southern Nevada.

Bethel has served in a financial leadership capacity in the utility industry, both regulated and non-regulated, for nearly 30 years. Before joining the Water District and Water Authority in 2018, Bethel was the senior vice president and chief financial officer at NV Energy from 2013 until 2018. Bethel joined NV Energy in 2007 as vice president and chief accounting officer.

Before moving to Nevada, Bethel served as assistant controller for American Electric Power, Inc. in Ohio. Prior experience includes key accounting management positions with The Williams Company, Central & South West Services, and the Public Service Company of Oklahoma.

Bethel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Oklahoma State University, and he holds his certified public accounting certificate from Oklahoma. Since 2008, Bethel has served as a board member of Opportunity Village, and he is the board’s past treasurer and past audit committee chair. He also served as a Las Vegas Metro Chamber Trustee from late 2013 through September 2018.

An Oklahoma native, Bethel and his wife, Sherry, have lived in Las Vegas since 2007.

Gregory J. Walch, General Counsel

Portrait of Gregory Walch

Gregory J. Walch serves as General Counsel for the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

He is a member of the Water District and Water Authority Executive Team and oversees the Legal Department of both agencies.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University in 1985, Walch spent the next four years as an engineer with Layne Western Company, designing and overseeing construction of water well systems for industrial and municipal clients.

In May 1992, Walch received his Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law. He has since practiced environmental, water, land use, mining, eminent domain and administrative law, and has regularly appeared before the Nevada State Engineer and other state agencies and administrators, various federal agencies, and state and federal courts in Nevada. In 1996, Walch co-founded the law firm now known as Holley, Driggs, Walch, Puzey & Thompson. He has been recognized by Chambers USA, Mountain States Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell for his work in environmental and natural resources law.

Walch and his wife, Shauna, have two sons, Rowan and Quin.

Citizen advisory committees

On occasion, the Water District forms citizen advisory committees to address special issues and topics such as water rates and conservation.