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Your 2020-2021 River City Section Officers
Karmina Padgett,
River City Section Director
Karmina is a Water Resource Control Engineer at the California State Water Resources Control Board in the Division of Financial Assistance, Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Section. She has also worked in the Division of Water Rights in the 401 Water Quality Certifications Program. Karmina received a BS in earth and environmental engineering, with a minor in sociology from Columbia University. She has served as President (2019-2020and 2018-2019) and Secretary (2017-2018) for the PECG River City Section.
Email Karmina Padgett / (916) 341-5642
Kevin Pfeiffer,
River City Section President
Kevin is an Engineering Geologist at the California Department of Parks and Recreation in the Natural Resources Division. He holds a BS from UC Davis in Geology, and is a licensed PG. He has been a PECG member for 6 years and has served on the River City Executive Board as a Treasurer, and as Chair of the River City Political Liaison Committee. He also serves on the PECG Corporate Political Liaison Committee. Kevin is passionate about protecting and expanding member benefits, particularly in the areas of pensions and paid leave. Some of Kevin’s other interests include world history, foreign languages, travel, food, cleaning, and things that grow.
Email Kevin Pfeiffer / (916) 323-7905
Timothy Chow,
River City Section President Elect
Tim is a Water Resource Control Engineer at the California State Water Resources Control Board in the Division of Water Rights, Permitting Section. Before starting his state service, Tim worked as an Environmental Specialist in the Biotech industry and as an Engineer in consulting. He received his B.S. in environmental engineering from UC Riverside and is pursuing his M.S. in civil engineering at CSU Sacramento. He is previously served as the Secretary for the PECG River City Section. When not at work, he can be found hiking, traveling, and talking to the monsters under his bed.
Email Timothy Chow / (916) 341-5435
Moises Lopez,
River City Section Vice President Supervisory
Moises has over 25 years of experience working in the telecommunications field with State agencies, private sector and the Navy. He is currently the Microwave Engineering Division Chief, Public Safety Communications Brand in the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Moises also serves as Vice President of the Professional Engineers Union River City Section of Supervisors. After 20 years of active and reserve duty in the Navy, Moises is a retired Lieutenant Commander. Moises received a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Sacramento State University and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco.
Email Moises Lopez / (916) 657-6107
John Isberner,
River City Section Vice President Rank and File
John is a Water Resource Control Engineer at the California State Water Resources Control Board in the Division of Water rights Cannabis Regional Instream Policies Unit. Before he worked for Water Rights, he started his career with Atkins working on floodplain management projects. John received a BS in Civil Engineering from California State University-Sacramento.
Email John Isberner / (916) 319-9393
Emily Cushman,
River City Section Vice President At Large
Emily is an Engineering Geologist working for the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Department of Defense Regulatory Unit. She received a B.S. in Soil and Water Science and B.A. in Geology, both from the University of California, Davis. When not protecting water quality, Emily skis, mountain bikes, and hosts dance parties in stunningly beautiful outdoor locales.
KhristinaRae Leyba,
River City Section Secretary
Khristina is a Water Resource Control Engineer working for the Cleanup Fund at the State Water Resource Control Board. She received a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, San Diego. She began her career in the private sector as an engineer in San Diego prior to starting her state service in Sacramento. A few of her hobbies include mentoring, crabbing, camping, and having random dance-offs with her spouse and kids.
Lydia Montgomery
River City Section Treasurer
Lydia is a Water Resource Control Engineer at the California State Water Resources Control Board in the Division of Financial Assistance, Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Section. She began in 2019 working as a contract Junior Environmental Assistant for the State in the Division of Financial Assistance in the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund. Lydia received a BS in environmental resources engineering from Humboldt State University.
River City Section Committees
Communications Committee -- Newsletters, Website, Outreach
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
The Communications Committee is dedicated to providing and updating our River City Section Members with PECG information as well as River City Section specific events/resources.
Lunch Meets is a NEW method for River City Section Members to network and meet other professionals in our Section. Lunch Meets sets up you and three other members from our River City Section for a virtual lunch. This opportunity allows you to meet other members from our Section, share work experiences, and develop mentor/mentee relationships. A list of questions will be provided to participants to stimulate the conversation. Participants will be prioritized to participate in River City Section sponsored lunches during their Lunch Meets Post-COVID19, !
Sign up HERE!
The River City Section Website organizes information specific to our Section as well as information pertaining to PECG. Be sure to check out the Section calendar for upcoming events!
Our quarterly newsletters keeps our River City Section members up to date with PECG activities as well as our Section events. The members in the Communications Committee write these newsletters which contains updates from PECG Cooperate, River City Section Events, as well as our Section’s Committee activities.
The Committee meets every few weeks to discuss the items above. We welcome our River City Section members to drop in on a meeting to hear more about our activities!
Learning Resources Committee -- Reference Material, Prep Courses, Study Groups, and Tutors
LEARNING RESOURCES COMMITTEE
The mission of the Learning Resources Committee is to provide Members with additional resources regarding licensure in their field. This includes things such as steps to obtain a professional license, connecting with others who are studying for exams, and money saving tips on exam fees and materials.
The Committee plans to host monthly sessions for Members who are interested in collaborating with others and share knowledge on application processes, reimbursement procedures, and exam material. Sessions are not intended to replace exam preparation courses or content, but aim to connect members who may have similar questions or can share solutions to difficult problems.
Our meetings are open to Members! If you are interested in attending a meeting, please email one of the contacts below. We are always interested in hearing from you and welcome any help we can get.
Chair – Lang Khang Lang.khang@waterboards.ca.gov
Member – Sahand Rastegarpour Sahand.Rastegarpour@waterboards.ca.gov
Member – Annabelle Carter Annabelle.carter@caloes.ca.gov
Member Support Committee -- New Employee Orientation and Membership Benefits
Member Support Committee
The Member Support Committee is dedicated to creating and organizing PECG resources to support our members’ wellbeing and prosperity. The Committee is for our members, by our members.
- Explore ways to improve current maternity/paternity leave benefits for Bargaining Unit 9 (BU 9). Winter 2019/ongoing.
- Member Appreciation Care Package. Summer 2020.
- Supervisors Appreciation Care Package. Winter 2020.
Current Maternity Leave Benefits
The State’s outdated Maternity Leave program offers six weeks of leave only for females. The amount of supplemental income also depends on the type of leave program the employee is enrolled in. Male employees and adoptive parents are not eligible to receive compensation for time off for leave. The limited leave time may generate strain and difficulties during a time when the health of our members is vital. In addition, complications during pregnancy and unforeseen events can create financial stress on our members and/or their partners during.
Proposed Maternity/Paternity Leave
The Committee is exploring the support of 12 weeks of paid family leave for both male and female BU 9 employees. This approach will use the current benefits offered under the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program as a guide to determine who will be included. This proposal will provide paid leave and an increase of wage replacement percentage to allow BU 9 employees time to bond with their child and lessen the financial burden while on leave. This proposal will:
- Reduce the inequalities in family leave between BU 9 employees and the private sector and other bargaining units that have SDI.
- Contribute to the healthy development of a BU 9 employee’s family.
- Promote time-off for parents and caregivers to care for and bond with very young children without jeopardizing their income.
- Promote family financial preparedness.
- Could help increase the percentage of women working in BU 9.
- Incentivize younger professionals to seek a career in state service and learn from our veteran staff.
- Promote a healthy work-life balance.
- Support Governor Newson’s goal to expand Paid Family Leave in California.
As of November 2020, the Committee meets about once a month to discuss the items above. We welcome our River City Section members to drop in on a meeting to hear more about our activities! If you are interested in learning more about the Member Support Committee, please contact PECG.RCmembers@gmail.com
Philanthropy Committee -- Scholarships, Relief Programs, Community Volunteering Opportunities
PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE
- American River Clean-Up
- Sacramento County Academic Decathlon
- Sacramento Regional Science Bowl
- Square Root Academy’s Great STEM Summit
- Square Root Academy’s Hack the Park
- STEM for Girls
Political Liaison Committee -- Engage with Individuals that support PECG’s Mission
POLITICAL LIAISON COMMITTEE
We’re always looking for likeminded individuals to be a part of our Committees.
If you are interested in joining a committee or simply learning more, please contact Karmina Padgett at karmina.padgett@waterboards.ca.gov.
Useful Resources
Ballots for the 2021-2022 River City Section annual election will be emailed to members with a return deadline of September 27, 2021.
For your ballot to be counted, you must vote by September 27, 2021.
Director: Kevin Pfeiffer
It has been an honor representing this Section in the previous year as the Section President. One of the great joys I have had in this position has been seeing the continued development of interests and networking opportunities and the resources provided for members through our exciting committees. Expanding these committees and the resources provided by them will be one of my top priorities as Director. I also remain committed to voicing members’ concerns on issues like pension expansion and protection, increasing time off and work flexibility, and family leave. This tumultuous year has laid bare the importance of quality health care in all regions, and I promise to act as a voice for rural health care subsidies at the corporate level. As your Director, I look forward to the opportunity to make PECG and the River City Section a union that works for all members regardless of where they are in their careers.
President (per Section Bylaws): Tim Chow
President Elect: Khristina Keyba
I know I thrive the most when I can interact with others. I see this as a great opportunity to grow in my career and thrive as a person, to move onto President Elect. In order to successfully perform the duties listed for the position, I believe, requires someone with sound oral and written communication skills; as well as someone who is genuine. In my career, I was and am still able to effectively communicate and collaborate with customers and colleagues. In High School and College I’ve held leadership positions and took the lead in quite a few group projects. Being mindful of how much our volunteer time can impact our members is what I believe will make a difference for the River City Section. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Vice President Rank and File: Brandon Roosenboom
Brandon is a Water Resource Control Engineer at the California State Water Resources Control Board in the Division of Water Quality’s NPDES Industrial and Construction Stormwater Unit. Brandon has been a PECG River City member since 2018 and participates on the Philanthropy Committee, seeking opportunities to better serve our communities and environment. As VP Rank and File, he hopes to engage with members of the union to represent their views while also hosting outreach events to expand our membership.
Vice President Supervisory: John Murphy
After enjoying the countless benefits PECG has provided in tenure as both a PECB member and state employee, I am thrilled to give back and pursue a leadership position in the River City Section. As a Senior Engineering Geologist with the Central Valley Water Board in Rancho Cordova and licensed Professional Geologist and Certified Hydrogeologist, I hope to leverage my leadership experiences to represent state supervisors in our region and act as a liaison for any issues that arise. Extracurricular leadership activities have always been a passion (e.g. I am the current President of the Sacramento Chapter of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG)) and I look forward to the challenges the VP Supervisory role will provide. Thank you for your vote and support and feel free to reach out any time! John.murphy@waterboards.ca.gov
Vice President At Large: Emily Cushman
I’m an Engineering Geologist working for the Regional Water Board in South Lake Tahoe. I’m running to be the River City Vice President-at-Large to support our member’s interests and continue to strengthen our union. I would be honored to continue to serve in this role for another year.
Secretary: Bryan Moore
I have been a PECG-represented employee for the last four years. Prior to entering state service, I worked in private industry as a non-represented employee. Through these experiences I have seen firsthand the benefits of having strong labor representation in your corner to fight for better pay, benefits, and fair treatment. As a PECG River City Section officer I will do what I can to further the interests of members, strengthen the Section as an organization, and, as Secretary, ensure continued transparency for officer meetings.
Treasurer: Raja Ramesh
I currently work as an Air Pollution Specialist at the California Energy Commission. As part of PECG’s River City Section, I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work with other members to increase awareness of support resources and engage across agencies. If elected as Treasurer, I’ll work with other officers to ensure our section’s funds are responsibly managed.