Meet the Board

Overview

Zone 7 Water Agency is overseen by a seven-member Board of Directors. Our board members are elected by the Tri-Valley community to four-year terms. The board provides strategic guidance and planning for Zone 7’s policies, programs and finances, and represents the public in an open and transparent process.

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Profile

Dennis Gambs

President

Dennis Gambs

Board Member Since: 2018

Current Term Expires: June 30, 2026

FY 2024-25 Committee Assignments: Liaison Committee

Background: A Livermore resident, Civil Engineer and former water resources manager at Zone 7.

(925) 454-5756
Profile

Catherine Brown

Catherine Brown

Board Member Since: 2024

Current Term Expires: June 30, 2026

FY 2024-25 Committee Assignments: Finance CommitteeLegislative Committee

Background: A Pleasanton resident for 20+ years. Retired Environmental Scientist with over 30 years’ experience working for the US Environmental Protection Agency. Managed environmental cleanup at five Superfund Sites, including PFAS contamination.

(925) 454-5750
Profile

Kathy Narum

Kathy Narum

Board Member Since: 2023

Current Term Expires: June 30, 2028

FY 2024-25 Committee Assignments: Finance Committee, Liaison Committee

Background: A Pleasanton resident with a BS in chemical engineering, currently managing family commercial property business located in Iowa with prior service on the Pleasanton City Council

(925) 454-5753
Profile

Sarah Palmer

Sarah Palmer

Board Member Since: 2006

Current Term Expires: June 30, 2026

FY 2024-25 Committee Assignments: Legislative Committee, Water Resources Committee

Background: A Livermore resident with a Ph. D. in biochemistry, a retired science teacher, has worked in cancer research at UC Berkeley, as well as in the medical diagnostics industry.

She is also active in the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA).

(925) 454-5752
Board Committee Assignments

About Board Committees

Each three-member Board Committee reviews matters before making recommendations to the full board. 

  • Administrative CommitteeReviews administrative topics such as major facility needs and safety and security measures; oversees Independent District Study. 

  • Finance Committee: Reviews budgets, proposed financial plans, proposed rate changes and connection charge changes for Zone 7.

  • Legislative Committee: Reviews legislation and regulatory policies affecting Zone 7 and communicates, updates, and makes recommendations on those issues to the Board of Directors.  

  • Liaison Committee: Discusses topics of mutual interest between Zone 7, the cities and retail water agencies, including rate change issues.

  • Water Resources CommitteeAddresses both water and flood protection matters.

Board Committee Assignments

Administrative Committee

FY 2024-25

Reviews administrative topics such as major facility needs and safety and security measures; oversees Independent District Study. 

  • Dawn Benson
  • Sandy Figuers
  • Laurene Green
Board Committee Assignments

Finance Committee

FY 2024-25

Reviews budgets, proposed financial plans, proposed rate changes and connection charge changes for Zone 7. 

  • Kathy Narum
  • Dawn Benson
  • Catherine Brown
Board Committee Assignments

Legislative Committee

FY 2024-25

Reviews legislation and regulatory policies affecting Zone 7 and communicates, updates, and makes recommendations on those issues to the Board of Directors.

  • Laurene Green
  • Catherine Brown
  • Sarah Palmer
Board Committee Assignments

Liaison Committee

FY 2024-25

Discusses topics of mutual interest between Zone 7, the cities and retail water agencies, including rate change issues.

  • Dennis Gambs
  • Dawn Benson
  • Kathy Narum
Board Committee Assignments

Water Resources Committee

FY 2024-25

Addresses both water and flood protection matters. 

  • Sarah Palmer
  • Sandy Figuers
  • Laurene Green
Policies & Principles

Policies & Principles

Compensation and Expense Reimbursement Policy

Board of Directors Compensation and Expense Reimbursement Policy

Guiding Principles for Board Members

Guiding Principles for Board Members

Board Policy on Conducting Business

Board Policy on Conducting Business

Ethics & Anti Harassment Training

California Government Code Section 53235 (AB 1234)

California Government Code Section 53235 (AB 1234) requires ethics training for specified local government officials within one year of assuming office and every two years thereafter. Below are the current training completion and expiration dates for each member of Zone 7’s Board of Directors: 

Board Member

Completion Date 

Expiration Date 

Dawn Benson

September 4, 2024

September 4, 2026

Catherine Brown

August 7, 2024

August 7, 2026

Sandy Figuers

August 22, 2024

August 22, 2026

Dennis Gambs

August 23, 2024

August 23. 2026

Laurene Green

October 1, 2024

October 1, 2026

Kathy Narum

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2025

Sarah Palmer

June 9, 2023

June 9, 2025

AB 1825 and AB 1661

AB 1825 and AB 1661 makes anti-harassment prevention training mandatory for officials receiving any compensation. This legislation requires employers to ensure that all officials receive at least two hours of anti-harassment prevention training every two years. Below are the current training completion and expiration dates for each member of Zone 7’s Board of Directors:

Board Member

Completion Date 

Expiration Date 

Dawn Benson

September 22, 2024

September 22, 2026

Catherine Brown

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2026

Sandy Figuers

September 5, 2024

September 5, 2026

Dennis Gambs

November 7, 2022

November 7, 2024

Laurene Green

September 27, 2024

September 27, 2026

Kathy Narum

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2025

Sarah Palmer

June 12, 2023

June 12, 2025