Board of Directors

Don Jardine serves on the CWSD Board as a representative of the Alpine County Board of Supervisors. Don lived in Alpine County in the 1950s in the small town of Monitor where his father worked as a miner.  Life in a miner’s family was transient, but after Don graduated from high school and served in Vietnam, he came back to Alpine County.  Don has been a member of the Alpine County Board of Supervisors for over 21 years. He is currently a board member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, California’s Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, Carson Water Subconservancy District, Alpine County Water Agency, Alpine County Local Agency Formation Commission, Alpine County Board Liaison to the Alpine Watershed Group, and Alpine Fire Safe Council, and is also a member of the Markleeville Volunteer Fire Department. In past years, he has served with Alpine County Search and Rescue and Alpine County Library Commission, and as an Alpine County Reserve Deputy Sheriff and Alpine County Emergency Medical Technician.  An avid reader, Don always has great recommendations for publications that are historically and scientifically accurate.  Don takes advantage of all Alpine County has to offer in his free time by enjoying the great outdoors kayaking, hiking, and four-wheel driving.

David Griffith serves on the CWSD Board as a representative of the Alpine County Board of Supervisors.

Larry Walsh serves on the CWSD Board as a representative of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners.

Once graduating from high school in June 1960, Mr. Walsh began his professional career in the banking industry in New York City. After serving two years (1966-68) in the U.S. Army, Mr. Walsh graduated from St. John’s University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. When he left the banking business in late 1969, Mr. Walsh was the Accounting Manager for a mid-sized mutual savings bank with the primary responsibility of overseeing the filing requirements of the FDIC and state regulatory banking agencies. Mr. Walsh’s experience includes working as a corporate tax analyst with two major multi-national corporations representing both companies in audits and negotiated settlements with a variety of state franchise/income tax jurisdictions… In 1978 he became a partner in Financial Service Associates in San Francisco, a firm specializing in tax and financial planning for U.S. expatriates. As a partner in Financial Service Associates, Mr. Walsh was a licensed securities broker and an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service and represented clients in tax related matters with the IRS and U.S. Tax Court.

In 1981, Mr. Walsh began his career in the real estate development and construction industry. From that time until 2012, Mr. Walsh became a seasoned management professional with experience in acquisition “workouts” with major banking institutions; has negotiated financing for numerous multi-million dollar commercial and residential real estate projects; was instrumental in preparing and funding private placement offerings for a variety of real estate developments; managed the entitlement process for major residential and commercial development projects; and, has been the project manager for the development and construction of a variety of residential and commercial real estate projects. He has successfully managed human resources and accounting departments as well as the marketing and finance divisions for several companies including both a mid-sized residential builder and a commercial real estate developer in northern Nevada. During his career, Mr. Walsh has developed solid banking relationships with both community, regional, and national banking institutions and has personally arranged for more the $725,000,000 in commercial real estate financing.

Mr. Walsh is married, and has lived in Gardnerville, Nevada since 1991.

Professional Affiliations

Douglas County Planning Commission, Member – 2002 – 2005

Douglas County Redevelopment Agency Citizens Advisory Board,  Member – 1998

International Council of Shopping Centers, Member – 2000 to 2010

Douglas County Building Industry Association, Member – 1991 to present, member Executive Board – Past President (1995)

Northern Nevada Development Authority, Member – 1991 to 1999

National Association of Home Builders, Member – 1991 to 1999

Jack Jacobs serves on the CWSD Board as an Agricultural representative of Douglas County.

-Registered Civil Engineer with over 50 years of service to the water industry as a utility manager and consultant and life member of American Society of Civil Engineers, Water Environment Federation, and American Water Works Association

-Owner/Manager of Jacobs Family Berry Farm since 2010

-Produces fresh berries and berry products for on-farm sales

-Provides a venue for weddings and other events

-Owner of Clear Solutions International since 2010, a consulting firm providing technical and professional services

Recent Carson Valley Agricultural and Professional Achievements

-2018 Conservation Award for work to advance agriculture in the Carson Valley

-Produced a report in 2017 on Agricultural Trends in Douglas County

-Champion for Agrihoods on the Douglas County Economic Vitality Plan Update 2017-19

-April 2018 received listing of Lampe Ranch on the National Register of Historic Places recognizing agriculture in Carson Valley

-Board Member Carson-Douglas Farm Bureau

-Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce Board 2017 to present and President-Elect 2019

-2016 Douglas County Entrepreneur Spotlight Award

Steve Thaler serves as on the CWSD Board as a representative of Douglas County.

Steve Thaler has been a resident of Douglas County for over 38 years and a resident of Minden for the past 27 years. Steve’s wife, JoAnn, is a Carson Valley native and has been a Minden resident for 64 years. Together they have three children and three grandchildren. Jeff, their oldest, works for the State Gaming Control Board as a background Investigator. Jeff’s wife, Sara, is owner of The Refinery Hair and Skin Studio in Minden.  They have two children, Kolton who is 11 and Karly who is 7. Melody, the middle child, lives in Gardnerville and works for Kids Kind of Place Child and Day Care. Sean, the youngest, works for Washoe County I. T. and lives in Reno with his wife Brittney and son, Henry, who is 1 ½ .

Steve grew up in Moraga, California and attended college in Sacramento. In 1976 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After serving four years, he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. Steve moved to Nevada to start his career in Law Enforcement and worked the next ten years for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Steve then spent the next five years working for the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office as their Special Investigator. Steve left the DA’s office in 1995 to manage the China Spring Youth Camp. He has since retired as the Director of Juvenile Camp Services after 16 years and 30 years with Douglas County.

In 2008 Steve was appointed to the Minden Town Board and subsequently elected to that same board in 2012. In 2014 Steve was elected to the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners representing District 2 and served honorably for four years.

In his spare time, Steve likes to spend time with family, restore old cars, work in his garden, sail and gives much time to St. Gall Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus.

In an effort to keep in touch with the community, Steve remains active with the following boards and/or is a member of:

1. Nevada Association of Counties NACO (Commissioner Emeritus)
2. Carson Water Sub-Conservancy District
3. Suicide Prevention Network
4. Knights of Columbus-Immaculate Heart of Mary Council
5. Carson Valley Kiwanis Club
6. W.A.V.E. Welcome All Veterans Everywhere

Barry Penzel serves on the CWSD Board as a representative of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners.  Barry and his wife of nearly 50 years, Cindy, have lived in Douglas County since 1992.  He is a retired Colonel, US Army with 25 years of service as a Ranger, Aviator, and Combat Leader.  He has owned and operated businesses in Douglas County since 1993. He has served in many civic organizations including the Greater Genoa Business Association, the Carson Valley Renewable Energy Committee, and the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Currently, he is on the board of the Suicide Prevention Network of Douglas County, and also acts as a volunteer.  He recently retired from a successful business in the geothermal industry and wants to continue his commitment to public service in our community.  Barry is familiar with many aspects of Douglas County since he & Cindy have lived in Tramway Village at the Lake, in Sunridge, in Minden, and now in Saratoga Springs.

Fred Stodieck serves as an agricultural representative on the CWSD Board appointed by Douglas County.  Fred is a lifelong farmer from Carson Valley.  Fred operates Stodieck Farm with the help of his wife, daughters, and grandsons.  Stodieck Farm has been in his family since his great – grandfather bought it in 1868 for $2,600 in gold coins.  Mentored by his father, Cecil (who was also Federal Water Master for the Carson River), and uncles, Elven and William, Fred learned animal husbandry, equipment management, ditch maintenance, water law, and many other ranching skills.  Fred has also worked as a road surveyor and in construction, and all of these practical skills have helped him remain successful in the difficult task of cattle ranching.

Stacey Giomi serves on the CWSD Board as a representative of the Carson City Board of Supervisors.

Brad Bonkowski serves on the CWSD Board as a representative of the Carson City Board of Supervisors.  Hehas lived in northern Nevada for 35 years, has been a business owner in Carson City since 1986 and a Supervisor since 2012.  Brad owns a commercial real estate brokerage and has extensive experience with industrial, commercial and investment properties, redevelopment and economic development transactions, as well as land development and entitlement.  Prior to his successful career in commercial real estate, Brad owned and operated photo labs in Carson City, Reno, and Incline Village.

Brad loves to hunt, fish, bicycle, run, snowshoe, hike and kayak with his partner, Andie Wilson and their three children Zachary, Kyle and Mallory.

Austin Osborne is the County Manager for Storey County.  He serves in an advisory capacity on the CWSD Board.  Austin has a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. Austin likes to travel across the Nevada desert for weeks in search of historic ghost towns, mining sites, and natural wonders.

Ken Gray serves on the CWSD Board as a representative of the Lyon County Board of Commissioners.

Carl Erquiaga serves on the CWSD Board as a representative of the Churchill County Board of Commissioners.  Carl is a lifelong resident of Churchill County, where he operated a family agriculture business for many years.  Carl divides his time serving as a Churchill County Commissioner, traveling with his wife, enjoying his children and grandchildren, hunting, shooting, and volunteering in wildlife enhancement programs.

Ernie Schank serves as an agricultural representative on the CWSD Board appointed by the Churchill County Board of Commissioners.

Ernie was born and raised in Fallon, Nevada. He was educated in the local schools and attended and graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Animal Science. He served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand. Ernie has been married to his sweetheart, the former Carmen Sorensen, since 1972. They enjoy their three sons and one daughter, as well as 13 grandchildren.

Ernie owns and operates a family farming/ranching business. He has worked as an instructor for the Western Nevada Community College, served on the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, and served as President of the Newlands Water Protective Association. In 1978, he was named Outstanding Young Farmer/Rancher of Nevada by the Farm Bureau.

Ernie was first elected to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District (TCID) Board of Directors in 1978. He served four years at that time. In 1998, he was again elected to the Board until he retired from the Board in 2018 after 24 years of service. He served for 20 years as the President of the Board of Directors. In his capacity as President he represented the TCID before congressional committees, has been involved in negotiations on all kinds of water related issues and has been a witness in many legal proceedings. From 1982-1984, he was appointed and served on the Governor’s Select Committee to study the feasibility of building additional dams on the Carson River. In 1994, he represented the Newlands Water Protective Association on the second-generation negotiations for implementation of P.L. 101-618. He also currently serves on the Carson Truckee Water Conservancy District Board of Directors.

He has done extensive research on the Newlands Reclamation Project history in preparation for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Project’s authorization and construction which occurred in 2003. He has spent many years putting together a picture history of the building of the Truckee Canal from collections at TCID, Churchill County Museum, Nevada State Historical Society, and Bureau of Reclamation. He has enjoyed the opportunity to make historical presentations on the building of the Newlands Project before many organizations, clubs, and groups. He has also written many articles on water-related issues for local newspapers, Nevada Policy Research Institute, and for In Focus, a Churchill County Museum publication.

Major accomplishments at Truckee-Carson Irrigation District:
• Improved relationships and communication with governmental leaders
• Committee structure of the Board of Directors
• Passage of Public Law 106-265-Transfer of Headquarters from US to TCID
• Long-term lease with Sierra Pacific Power Company
• Purchase of New Lahontan Hydro Plant
• Improvements and modernization of Old Lahontan and V-Line Hydro Plants
• Bonding of Truckee Canal Conduit Rehabilitation Project