The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) today announced that District Manager Rick Rogers will retire in early November. The District’s Board of Directors has begun the process to select his successor.
Rogers started his career at SLVWD nearly 50 years ago, when he was hired right out of high school in 1975 to install fences. That temporary position evolved into full-time employment in the water treatment division. Rogers served in many roles over the years and was named District Manager on Oct. 19, 2018.
Rogers has received commendations for service above and beyond the call of duty for his efforts during the Storm of 1986, Improvement of the District Operations in 1988, and the Freeze Emergency of 1990. He was also honored for his efforts to establish the Felton Heights Mutual and Road Association in 1993.
Rogers has been instrumental as the District has grown its service area. During his tenure, SLVWD has completed mergers with Manana Woods, Felton, Lompico, Olympia Mutual and North Boulder Creek and is currently completing a merger with Bracken Brae and Forest Springs. These consolidations have improved water reliability in the region.
More recently, Rogers led the District through the CZU Fire disaster and recovery, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the atmospheric rivers that pummeled the region in early 2023. Under his direction, the District is undertaking more than $13 million in Capital Improvement Projects to upgrade aging infrastructure, some of which was damaged by the CZU Fire. The work includes replacing undersized pipelines, fire hardening, building larger water tanks and adding fire hydrants to improve water supply resiliency and increase firefighting capabilities.
In his nearly half-century of service to the District, Rogers has worked for nine general managers and 40 Board members.
Rogers had announced earlier this year that he intended to retire within the next year and, in August, he notified the District’s Board of Directors that he will retire in November.
During a special closed session meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 30, the Board decided an interim General Manager will be appointed until a permanent replacement is selected, likely in early 2024. The search for a recruiter and the development of a new job description is already underway.
ABOUT THE SAN LORENZO VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District is located in the mountains of northern Santa Cruz County. The district serves more than 7,500 metered connections. Established in 1941, the district supplies water to the communities of Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Zayante, Quail Hollow, Scotts Valley, Whispering Pines, Manana Woods, and Felton. For more information, visit www.slvwd.com or follow the District on Facebook, Instagram,Twitter and Nextdoor.