Staff & Operations
Providing high quality service depends on a partnership between an elected board of directors, and a skilled and dedicated staff of managers, technicians, operators and field crews with shared expertise in engineering, finance, water conservation, treatment, conservation, business management, technology, and communication.
View MWD's Organizational Chart
To contact us, please call 805.969.2271.
Nicholas Turner, General Manager
Nicholas (Nick) Turner began serving as Montecito Water District’s General Manager in February 2016. Mr. Turner brings nearly 20 years of executive experience in the water industry in both public and private sectors. As General Manager, Mr. Turner is responsible for the day to day operations and management of the District including implementation of policy as established by the District’s Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Montecito Water District, Mr. Turner spent 3 years (2013-16) employed as the General Manager of the Lamont Public Utility District, a public agency providing water, sewer and streetlighting services to a community of approx. 15,000 residents. His previous experience also includes 12 years (2001-12) as District Engineer/Project Manager at AECOM/Boyle Engineering, a global leader in engineering design services specializing in water and wastewater infrastructure projects for public agencies. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 2000 from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and has been a registered professional civil engineer in the state of California since 2005.
Prior to joining Montecito Water District, Mr. Turner spent 3 years (2013-16) employed as the General Manager of the Lamont Public Utility District, a public agency providing water, sewer and streetlighting services to a community of approx. 15,000 residents. His previous experience also includes 12 years (2001-12) as District Engineer/Project Manager at AECOM/Boyle Engineering, a global leader in engineering design services specializing in water and wastewater infrastructure projects for public agencies. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 2000 from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and has been a registered professional civil engineer in the state of California since 2005.
Adam Kanold, Assistant General Manager / Engineering Manager
Adam Kanold joined the Montecito Water District in 2016. Mr. Kanold is a licensed civil engineer specializing in water, wastewater, and storm water utility design and construction. Immediately prior, he served for more than ten years as a Civil Engineer for Tetra Tech, the top-ranked water consulting firm according to ENR (Engineering News-Record).
Mr. Kanold's project management, engineering and design experience spans water projects around the world, including locations throughout the United States and overseas in Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Korea, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Tanzania, and Kenya. He is also the founder of the Santa Barbara / Ventura Engineers Without Borders chapter, which provides engineering solutions in water crisis situations to developing countries around the world.
Mr. Kanold's project management, engineering and design experience spans water projects around the world, including locations throughout the United States and overseas in Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Korea, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Tanzania, and Kenya. He is also the founder of the Santa Barbara / Ventura Engineers Without Borders chapter, which provides engineering solutions in water crisis situations to developing countries around the world.
Olivia Rojas, Business Manager
Olivia Rojas joined Montecito Water District as Business Manager in June, 2021. Ms. Rojas brings over 20 years of experience in accounting and human resources management in both public and private sectors. As Business Manager, Ms. Rojas is responsible for the District's accounting and personnel functions, and financial reporting to the Board of Directors and public.
Prior to joining Montecito Water District, Ms. Rojas spent 4 years (2016-20) employed as the Fiscal Officer of the Isla Vista Recreation & Park District, a public agency providing environmentally friendly park maintenance, children’s programing, community event partnering and street cleaning services to a community of approx. 20,000 residents. Her previous experience also includes over ten years (2007-21) as Financial Controller at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, it’s Riviera Theatre and Education Center, in addition to being owner and operator of an independent consulting firm. Ms. Rojas received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of California Santa Barbara in 1997. Ms. Rojas is a founder of the Institute of Management Accountants Santa Barbara chapter and an active member of the Government Finance Officers Association.
Prior to joining Montecito Water District, Ms. Rojas spent 4 years (2016-20) employed as the Fiscal Officer of the Isla Vista Recreation & Park District, a public agency providing environmentally friendly park maintenance, children’s programing, community event partnering and street cleaning services to a community of approx. 20,000 residents. Her previous experience also includes over ten years (2007-21) as Financial Controller at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, it’s Riviera Theatre and Education Center, in addition to being owner and operator of an independent consulting firm. Ms. Rojas received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of California Santa Barbara in 1997. Ms. Rojas is a founder of the Institute of Management Accountants Santa Barbara chapter and an active member of the Government Finance Officers Association.
Richard Romero, Water Distribution Superintendent
Mr. Romero has been with the District since 2000. In his current role of Water Distribution Superintendent, Mr. Romero supervises the Water Distribution Department, and is responsible for the operation and maintenance of more than 100 miles of water distribution mains and approximately 4600 service connections. He is supported by an outstanding team of certified water distribution operators and specialists.
Chad Hurshman, Water Treatment Superintendent
Mr. Hurshman has been with the District since 2001. As Water Treatment & Production Superintendent, he supervises the Water Treatment Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of groundwater wells, pump stations, one dam, one lake, ten reservoirs and the water treatment facilities of the District. He oversees a dedicated team of certified water treatment operators and specialists.
Laura Camp, Public Information Officer
Laura Camp joined Montecito Water District in December 2016. Prior to that, Ms. Camp worked in private and public sectors supporting transitions and leading communications efforts for corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Her experience includes positions in the United States and Europe. Ms. Camp holds a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from Brown University and a Master's Degree in International Business from Pepperdine University.
Steven Cognac, Water Conservation Specialist
Steven Cognac joined the District in February 2023. With a Masters of Environmental Data Science from UCSB's Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, and more than 6 years of experience in environmental consulting, Steven is well equipped to assist the District and its customers in evaluating and improving water use efficiency. Call 805.969.2271 to arrange an on-site visit, and Steven can meet with you at your home or business to review your property specific needs and make recommendations on maintenance, irrigation, and planting for better water use efficiency (and lower water bills).