Our Leaders are Driven by a Deep Passion for Water
CWA is governed by a Board of Directors, appointed by CWA member utilities. The board works in partnership with CWA’s Executive Director, External Affairs Director and Administrative Director to guide operational, advocacy and other initiatives in support of members and their customers.
Our Team
Jennifer Capitolo
Executive Director
Samantha Raulinaitis
Administrative Director
Sarah Musiker
External Affairs Director
Executive Board
John Tang
President
Carmelitha Bordelon
Second Vice President
Joel Reiker
Secretary, Third VP
Rami Kahlon
Third Vice President
John Periotti
Treasurer
Our Team
Jennifer Capitolo
Executive Director
Ed Jackson
Samantha Raulinaitis
Administrative Director
John Tang
President
Carmelitha Bordelon
Second Vice President
Joel Reiker
Secretary, Third VP
Sarah Musiker
External Affairs Director
Alison Vai
CWA Public Information Committee, Co-Chair | Sr. Manager, Marketing and Communications, Liberty Utilities
Jennifer Capitolo
Executive Director
Jennifer Capitolo was named CWA Executive Director in January 2020. In this role, she serves as CWA’s voice and leader, helping CWA member utilities continue their longstanding record of providing safe, reliable, high-quality drinking water to the communities they serve.
Jennifer has almost 20 years of experience working on all aspects of California water policy. Prior to her selection as CWA Executive Director, Jennifer served as lead government relations representative for the CWA as a senior policy advisor with Nossaman LLP. There, she advocated on behalf of public and private clients in the areas of water, infrastructure, housing and transportation. She successfully helped to shape significant legislative and regulatory policies through her work with the legislature, the California Public Utilities Commission, State Water Resources Control Board and Administrative officials under three governors.
Jennifer previously served in the Department of Finance under Governor Gray Davis and as a district representative for Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Assemblymember Ellen Corbett.
She holds a master’s degree from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University.
Ed Jackson
Edward (Ed) Jackson is the president of Liberty Utilities, California. In his position, he is responsible for all operations in California, including both water and electric facilities. He is also a founding member of the Company’s Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Council.
Ed began working for Liberty (then known as Park Water Company) in 1993 as a Utilities Engineer and later as the Director of Rates and Regulatory Affairs. Prior to joining Liberty, he worked at the California Public Utilities Commission as a Utilities Engineer from 1990 – 1992. Ed earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Los Angeles. He is a Grade 2 Water Distribution Operator in the State of California.
John Tang
President
John Tang is Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations for San Jose Water. With more than 27years of experience in the areas of environmental engineering and public affairs, hecurrently leads the company’s regulatory affairs, corporate communications, and government relations programs. As San Jose Water’s chief representative to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), John is responsible for developing and executing the company’s regulatory policy and strategy.He is also responsible forstewarding relationships with community groups and organizations, business leaders, and governmental representatives.
John was previously employed by FMC Corporation as an environmental engineer andmanaged the remediation of a diverse portfolio of contaminated industrial facilities, including State and Federal Superfund sites, in the United States and Canada.
Active in the community and industry, he serves on the Boards of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce and the California Water Association, and chairs the National Association of Water Companies’ Regulatory and Legislative Committee. John is also a member of the CPUC’s Low Income Oversight Boardand the American Water Works Association’s Public Affairs Council.
John holds BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from San Jose State University and an MBA from Columbia University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Californiaand an adjunct professor in the College of Engineering at his alma mater.
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