Management

Washington County Water Conservancy District is governed by an appointed board of trustees in accordance with the State of Utah’s legislative policy. Board members are county-wide representatives who oversee district activities. The board generally meets monthly at the district offices, 533 E. Waterworks Drive in St. George. The public may address the board at the scheduled meetings after all agenda items have been addressed. Daily operations of the water district are overseen by the district’s executive team.

Board of Trustees

Mr. Bowler has more than 30 years experience in the land title and escrow industry in Washington and Kane counties. He serves on several irrigation boards, including the Santa Clara River System. He was appointed to the board in 1998 and currently serves as chair. His present term expires in 2019.

Mr. Renstrom is a commissioner in Washington County. He’s served as an attorney for Lincoln, Gustafson & Cercos and was a former principal owner at the engineering firm of Bush and Gudgell. He was appointed to the board in 2015. His present term expires in 2019.

Mr. Pike is the current mayor of St. George and the regional operations director for SelectHealth, the health insurance division of Intermountain Healthcare. He serves as a board member for the Dixie State University, Dixie Applied Technology College and chair of the Fifth District Judicial Nominating Commission. He was appointed to the board in 2015. His present term expires in 2019.

A lifelong resident of Washington County and current mayor of Washington City, Mr Neilson is a sales manager for HD Supply White Cap, the nation’s largest supplier of tools and specialty materials for professional concrete contractors. He was appointed to the board in 2015. His present term expires in 2019.

Mr. Bracken is a third generation rancher of a family-owned farm in Enterprise. He has served on the National Potato Board and been involved with many of the water projects related to the Enterprise Reservoir and Canal Company. He was appointed to the board in 2002. His present term expires in 2021.

Mr. Hart is the current mayor of Ivins and president of Signature Enterprises, Inc. a land development company. He’s a member of the Southern Utah Home Builders Association and Utah State Home Builders Association. He was appointed to the board in 2017. His present term expires in 2021.

Mr. Tervort serves on the Hurricane City Council and owns and operates Quail Lake Chevron, a convenience store and gas station in Hurricane. He serves on the boards for the Ash Creek Special Service District, Hurricane Valley Fire District and Southwest Mosquito Abatement Control. He was appointed to the board in 2017. His current term expires in 2021.

Ronald Thompson General Manager

Ronald Thompson is the general manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this capacity, he oversees all operational and financial activities performed by the district and its employees. Prior to joining the district in 1983, Thompson served as an attorney for Washington County and in private practice. He’s a current member of the Utah State Bar and serves in various capacities on the following boards: Utah Water Finance Agency, Colorado River Water Users Association, National Water Resources Association, Utah Water Development Commission, St. George Washington Canal Company and St. George Valley Irrigation Company. Past board appointments include president of the Utah Water Users Association, president of the Colorado River Water Users Association, second vice president and chairman of the National Water Resource Association, vice-chairman of the Utah Water Finance Agency and member of the Statewide Association of Prosecutors, Utah Association of Counties, State of Utah Drinking Water and the Utah Association of Special Districts. He was also the former Utah representative for the National Water Resources Endangered Species Task Force. Thompson received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and his law degree from the University of Utah.

Barbara Hjelle Associate General Manager and Counsel

Barbara Hjelle currently serves as the associate general manager and counsel of the Washington County Water Conservancy District, overseeing in-house legal work, records management, customer service and providing general assistance to the general manager. She joined the district in 2000 with more than 30 years legal experience. She’s currently serving as the chair of the National Water Resources Association Policy Development Committee and is a member or past member of the State and Institutional Trust Lands Advisory Board, Southern Utah Bar Association, Utah State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the American Association of University Women. Hjelle received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from the University of New Mexico and her juris doctorate, where she graduated cum laude, from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Corey Cram Associate General Manager, Project Development

Corey Cram is the associate general manager of project development for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. He manages current projects from the preliminary planning phase to construction and operation. Prior to joining the district in 2004, Cram was a hydrogeologist and watershed manager for the State of Pennsylvania. He has a bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University in physical science and geology, a master’s degree in hydrogeology from Pennsylvania State University and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He is a licensed professional geologist.

Brie Thompson Associate General Manager, Field Operations

Brie Thompson is the associate general manager of field operations for Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this capacity, she manages the operations at the district’s water treatment plant, reservoirs, hydropower plants, pipelines, dams and wells. Thompson joined the district in 2006. She’s a licensed professional engineer and certified grade IV water treatment operator in the State of Utah and a member of the American Water Works Association, Utah Water Quality Alliance and Rural Water Association. She has a master’s in business administration from Southern Utah University and a bachelor’s of science in chemical engineering from the University of Utah.

Roberta McMullin Secretary/Treasurer, Office Manager and Administrative Assistant

Roberta McMullin has worked for the Washington County Water Conservancy District since 1981. Her current responsibilities include serving as the secretary/treasurer of the board of trustees, office manager and administrative assistant to the general manager, Ron Thompson. She also serves as the secretary for the Policy and Development Committee of the National Water Resources Association. Prior to joining the district, McMullin served as a secretary for the Washington County Attorney’s office. She has a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from Dixie State University.

Karry Rathje Public Information Manager

Karry Rathje is the public information manager for Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this position, she manages all communication, education, branding and outreach activities with the media, elected officials and general public. Rathje has more than a decade of experience in the communications industry. Prior to joining the district in 2013, she managed several accounts representing the development, higher education and non-profit industries for a Las Vegas-based public relations and government affairs agency. In 2013, Rathje was appointed to serve as the Utah representative on the Colorado River Water Users Association Public Affairs Committee. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications with a special emphasis in public relations from Brigham Young University.

Doug Wilson New Project Development & Information Systems Manager

Doug Wilson works closely with developers, contractors, engineers and other government agencies to manage development as the Washington County Water Conservancy District’s special projects coordinator, a position he’s had since 2004. His portfolio features multi-million dollar projects including reservoirs, diversions, pipelines and water tanks. Prior to joining the district, Wilson served as city manager and mayor of La Verkin, Utah and as a system administrator for Iron County, Utah. He has a master’s degree in business management from Colorado Technical University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern Utah University. Wilson also has graduate level certificates in project, change and business management and is a graduate of Leadership Dixie.

Julie Gillins Water Conservation Manager

Julie Gillins has been with the Washington County Water Conservancy District since 1995 and currently serves as the district’s water conservation manager. In this capacity, she collaborates with other agencies to implement conservation programs and special events throughout the county. Gillins has a master’s degree in professional communication from Southern Utah University and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Dixie State University. She currently serves as the vice-chair of the Utah Water Conservation Forum Board and is on the communications and member service council for American Water Works Association, Intermountain Section. Gillins is also a certified landscape irrigation auditor.

Tina Esplin Legal/Administrative Assistant

Tina Esplin is this legal/administrative assistant for Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this capacity, she manages the administration of water rights, wastewater and legal work as directed by counsel, general manager and/or associate general managers. Prior to joining the district in 2006, she worked for law firms in Salt Lake City and St. George. She has an associate degree from Utah Valley University and is certified in Utah’s water rights and regulations through Rural Water Association of Utah.