Alvar Escriva-Bou is a senior fellow at the PPIC Water Policy Center. His research explores integrated water, energy, and environmental resources management. Since joining PPIC in 2015 his research has explored the options and consequences of transitioning to groundwater sustainability in the San Joaquin Valley, analyzed California’s water accounting system, studied urban drought resilience, and investigated energy and climate policies related to water use, among others. Previously, he worked as a civil engineer, managing and developing large infrastructure projects for local and regional governments and consulting firms in Spain. He holds a PhD and MS in water and environmental engineering and a BS in civil engineering from the Polytechnic University of Valencia in Spain, as well as an MS in agricultural and resource economics from the University of California, Davis.

Ellen Hanak is vice president and director of the PPIC Water Policy Center and a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, where she holds the Ellen Hanak Chair in Water Policy. Under her leadership, the center has become a critical source of information and guidance for natural resource management in California. She has authored dozens of reports, articles, and books on water policy, including Managing California’s Water. Her research is frequently profiled in the national media, and she participates in briefings, conferences, and interviews throughout the nation and around the world. Her other areas of expertise include climate change and infrastructure finance. Previously, she served as research director at PPIC. Before joining PPIC, she held positions with the French agricultural research system, the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, and the World Bank. She holds a PhD in economics from the University of Maryland.

Maria Gallegos Herrera is the Central California regional director of external affairs for the Office of Governor Newsom. In this role, Maria serves as the regional liaison to local stakeholders, business, community, and elected officials. Maria previously served as a community development manager at Self Help Enterprises (SHE), a nationally recognized community development organization dedicated to working with low-income families to build and sustain healthy homes. Prior to working at SHE, she served as the community advocacy director for the Community Water Center. Maria has tackled water contamination and shortages through community organizing, advocacy, legislation, and technical assistance. Maria also served on the California Water Commission from 2015 to 2019.

Eric Limas is the general manager of the Lower Tule River and Pixley Irrigation Districts, as well as the Tea Pot Dome Water District. Limas also manages the Lower Tule River and Pixley Irrigation District groundwater sustainability agencies. Eric has worked for the districts since 2002 as a controller, business manager, and assistant manager, and finally as general manager. In 2000, he earned his certified public accountant license while working for M. Green and Company, CPAs. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1998 with a bachelor of science degree in agribusiness. Eric grew up on a family farm in Tipton.

Caitlin Peterson is associate director and research fellow at the PPIC Water Policy Center. She is an agroecologist whose research spans climate-smart agriculture, soil health, diversified cropping systems, agroecosystem resilience, and multi-benefit agricultural landscapes. In her previous work, she explored irrigation and soil ecosystem functions in California almond and tomato systems, crop-livestock integration in Brazilian soybean-beef systems, and small farmer adaptation to climate change in Colombia, Tanzania, and Ghana. As a consulting agroecologist, she led programs linking farmers across the US to emerging soil carbon marketplaces. She holds a PhD in ecology and an MS in international agricultural development from the University of California, Davis.

Nicole Montna Van Vleck is president and CEO of the family-owned and operated Montna Farms in Yuba City, California. Currently, she serves on the California Rice Industry Association Board; the California Rice Commission Board of Directors, where she is chair of the Rice Producers Group; and several national boards and committees for USA Rice. She serves an officer for two local water districts and on the Northern California Water Association Board of Directors. She also serves on the UC Davis Dean’s Advisory Board for agriculture and environmental sciences and the Board of Directors for River Valley Community Bank. Nicole graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles. A third generation rice farmer, she was born and raised in Sutter County.