SLV Water District Manager Rick Rogers to Retire
Search Begins for Successor
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) has announced that District Manager Rick Rogers will retire in November.
Rogers began his career with SLVWD nearly five decades ago, securing a position right after high school in 1975 to install fences. This temporary role evolved into a full-time position within the water treatment division. Throughout his career, Rogers held various roles and ultimately assumed the position of District Manager on October 19, 2018.
Rogers has been recognized for his dedication, particularly during pivotal events such as the Storm of 1986 and the Freeze Emergency of 1990. He also received accolades for his role in establishing the Felton Heights Mutual and Road Association in 1993.
During Rogers’ time with SLVWD, the district significantly expanded its service area, successfully merging with Manana Woods, Felton, Lompico, Olympia Mutual, and North Boulder Creek. A merger with Bracken Brae and Forest Springs is ongoing.
More recently, Rogers guided the District through challenging events, including the August 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire disaster and recovery processes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the atmospheric river storms that impacted the region in early 2023. Under his guidance, the District is embarking on over $13 million in Capital Improvement Projects to upgrade aging infrastructure, some of which were damaged by the CZU Fire. These improvements encompass the replacement of undersized pipelines, fire-hardening measures, the construction of larger water tanks, and the addition of fire hydrants, all intended to bolster water supply resilience and enhance firefighting capabilities.
Throughout his nearly 50-year service with the District, Rogers has served under nine different general managers and alongside 40 Board members.
Rogers had previously announced his intention to retire within the coming year, and in August, he formally informed the District’s Board of Directors of his intended November retirement.
During a special closed session meeting on Wednesday, August 30, the Board determined that an interim General Manager will be appointed until a permanent replacement is identified, likely in early 2024. The District is already in the process of seeking a recruiter and developing a new job description for the leadership role.
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.
