Speakers

The current General Manager of SPMUD, Herb Niederberger, is a Rocklin resident and SPMUD customer since 1988. Herb has extensive experience in the planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance and management of municipal utilities throughout California. He is a registered Professional Engineer and Licensed Land Surveyor as well as a certified Water Distribution and Treatment operator. He holds a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Civil Engineering as well as Masters in Business Administration. In the past, Herb served on the City of Rocklin Board of Appeals in the early 90’s followed by service on the Planning Commission in the late 90’s.

Mr. McGowan is a Program Manager at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), where he leads the Response Technology program. This program includes: Best Achievable Technology, Applied Response Technology, Fishery Closure, Oiled Wildlife Care, the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, and OSPR’s Geographic Information Systems team. He oversees a diverse group of technical experts including spill response professionals, spatial analysts and programmers, veterinarians and wildlife care experts. He has responded to incidents across the U.S. and abroad. Mr. McGowan joined OSPR following a career of more than 23 years as a professional ecologist, during which he led an Incident Response and Recovery Team responding to spills across North America. For fun, he plays in a local band and enjoys traveling with his family.

As director of the Office of Economic Development, Sherri Conway provides vision and leadership in planning, growing and managing economic development programs and projects in Placer County. She managea staff responsible for economic and business development, film production coordination, and workforce and job development efforts.

Sherri has extensive experience in economic development and she has demonstrated tremendous skill in working with the business community and partners throughout Placer County to capitalize on the many opportunities present.  She previously served as planning director for the City of Colfax, as well as planning director for the Village of Lake Placid, New York; an economy heavily based on tourism, similar to North Tahoe.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science from the State University of New York, College at Plattsburgh, and a Master of Science degree in resource management and public administration from Antioch University in Ohio.