Staff

Adam D. Link, Executive Director

Adam brings over 10 years of experience dealing with wastewater regulatory, legislative, and legal issues to managing the association and ensuring that CASA fulfills its mission of providing trusted information and advocacy on behalf of California clean water agencies. Prior to joining CASA in 2013, Adam was a practicing attorney focusing on water quality, environmental and local government issues, and previously worked in the California Legislature and for the business consulting firm Accenture. Adam holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Greg Kester, Director of Renewable Resource Programs

Greg is CASA’s subject matter expert on matters pertaining to renewable resources. He manages emerging issues at the local, state and federal level and within the private sector on all biosolids, renewable energy, recycled water, climate change mitigation and related issues.

Greg has been with CASA since 2007. Prior to joining CASA, he served as the state biosolids coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, where he represented all states in the nation, by their election, to the USEPA on all biosolids issues.

Greg holds a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin and is a registered professional engineer.

Maile Lono-Batura, Director of Renewable Resources

Maile Lono-Batura joins CASA as the incoming Director of Renewable Resources. As a subject matter expert on renewable resources, Maile will focus on keeping a pulse on developments that impact the beneficial use of bioresources in communities across California and beyond our borders. Given CASA’s active presence in regulations, research, and engagement, she will work diligently to identify opportunities to bolster circular water economy alliances across sectors.

Before her joining CASA in October 2024, Maile was the Director of Sustainable Biosolids Programs at the Water Environment Federation (WEF), serving as a central coordinator and network leader for WEF’s biosolids programs, finding synergies across organizations (within and outside the biosolids sector) to elevate impactful movements such as growing a circular economy and addressing the social stigma that surrounds what we all flush. Before her biosolids role at WEF, Maile led Northwest Biosolids as Executive Director for 22 years. Under her direction, this multi-state biosolids network leveraged over $3.9M in biosolids research, galvanized stakeholders to support biosolids recycling, and facilitated numerous outreach initiatives.

Maile earned her Bachelor’s in Community & Environmental Planning with an Environmental Studies Minor from the University of Washington. She received her Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University. Maile is a Certified Compost Facility Operator through the Washington Organic Recycling Council and a Board-Certified Environmental Scientist with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists Board (AAEES). She was also recognized as an AAEES 40 Under 40 Rising Stars Class of 2022.

Jessica Gauger, Director of Legislative Advocacy & Public Affairs

Jessica Gauger manages CASA’s state and federal legislative advocacy initiatives in California and Washington D.C.  In her role, Jessica is CASA’s lead advocate in the California Legislature and interfaces with elected officials, legislative staff, and other stakeholders to advance CASA’s public policy priorities.  She also works in conjunction with our professional consultants in Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of issues of interest to the wastewater community.   Jessica oversees CASA’s state and federal legislative committee activities and all external and membership initiatives related to our legislative advocacy programs.

Prior to her employment with CASA, Jessica was employed with the contract lobbying firm, Michael F. Dillon & Associates, where she represented CASA as a contract legislative advocate, and previously worked on staff in the California State Senate.  Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from San Diego State University.

Shacara Gamboa, Manager of Association Services

Shacara manages a full spectrum of both financial and administrative functions on behalf of the association. In her role Shacara performs the roles of accounts receivable and payable, budgets, banking, payroll and purchasing, recordkeeping and office management. She supports membership strategy, onboarding and retention.

Joining the CASA team in 2023, Shacara brings a background as the Director of Operations in the emergency restoration and construction industry, managing administration and financials. She also has five years of experience in Hospitality Management and strives to exceed customer service expectations. Shacara holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from California State University of Monterey Bay.

Cheryl MacKelvie, Meetings and Membership Coordinator

Cheryl MacKelvie supports the association’s membership, conference, accounting and meeting programs, including planning, organizing, and overseeing the operations and administration of the CASA office.  She represents CASA’s programs, projects, and services to member agencies and the public, assists in the administration of various membership programs and performs other duties as needed.

Prior to joining CASA in 2015, Cheryl worked for a prominent lobbying and association management firm supporting legislative advocates and clients, providing support to their Board of Directors for meeting planning, Board meetings, and related functions.

Cheryl attended Gonzaga University and Bryman Dental School.

Sarah Deslauriers, Director of Air, Climate, and Energy

Sarah serves as CASA’s subject matter expert on issues pertaining to climate change. She tracks and coordinates responses to regulatory issues and policy initiatives that impact the wastewater sector and proactively engages state agencies in discussions on both mitigation and adaptation related issues to create opportunities for the wastewater sector in building resilient communities.

Prior to joining CASA’s team in July 2016, she served as the program manager for the California Wastewater Climate Change Group, representing the state’s wastewater sector perspectives on climate change issues to local, state and federal agencies. Sarah has also been employed by Carollo Engineers, Inc. serving as their Climate Change Specialist.

Sarah holds a BS and MS in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Science, a MSE in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, and a graduate certificate in the Program of Industrial Ecology from the University of Michigan. Sarah is also a registered professional engineer.

Jared Voskuhl, Director of Regulatory Affairs

Jared directs CASA’s regulatory advocacy program for water quality matters before the California EPA and the California Natural Resources Agency, including nutrient management, PFAS, microplastics, infrastructure finance, water conservation, collection systems, aquatic toxicity, and recycled water.

Prior to joining CASA in 2018, Jared worked in California water policy over three legislative sessions for a local public agency and a state trade association, and he also served as president of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students.

He holds a law degree from the University of California, Davis, a Master’s degree in Sociology from Northwestern University, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and English.

Alyssa Downs, Manager of Communications

Alyssa joined CASA in December 2019 and plays a key role in providing timely, relevant information to both members and legislators on clean water and beneficial reuse issues. Her responsibilities include developing CASA’s communication strategies, producing the CASA Connects newsletter, developing content for traditional and social media, and handling graphic design and outreach materials that support CASA’s advocacy efforts. Alyssa also manages the CASA Awards of Excellence and the CASA Mentorship programs.

Prior to joining CASA, Alyssa worked with Central Contra Costa Sanitary District’s Communications team on a variety of public outreach materials, campaigns, social media and newsletters. During her time at Central San, she developed a strong passion for the important work of the wastewater sector. Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Stanislaus.

Spencer Saks, Legislative and Regulatory Analyst

Spencer works as an analyst for CASA’s state legislative and regulatory advocacy programs. He is a key point of contact for CASA agency and associate members on legislative and regulatory issues. He directly coordinates with elected and appointed officials, legislative staff, state employees, and other stakeholders to advance CASA’s public policy priorities. He utilizes his experience and knowledge of the California Legislature and Regulatory bodies to advance CASA’s programs on many priority issues. He also writes, edits, and produces CASA’s State Legislative and Regulatory Newsletters.

Prior to joining CASA in 2022, Spencer worked as a Legislative Advocate in the Legislative and Public Policy Clinic at McGeorge School of Law. He also worked as a Special Advisor to The Gualco Group, Inc., where he worked on numerous projects for a wide variety of clients. Previously, he interned for the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein in Washington, D.C.

Spencer holds a law degree from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from University of California: Riverside.

Erin Martin, CivicSpark Fellow

Erin serves as a Fellow with the CivicSpark AmeriCorps program. She will be joining CASA for the 24-25 year to gain policy experience in the fields of water quality and climate change. In her role, Erin performs complex analyses of open environmental datasets to assist policy-related research projects and develop positions on regulatory matters to promote environmental sustainability. 

Erin graduated from Penn State University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science and Policy. With a strong foundation in earth science and an interest in civil service, Erin aims to make a meaningful impact in the field of water and climate policy.

Eric Sapirstein, Federal Legislative Advocate

Eric Sapirstein founded ENS Resources, Inc., in 1986. His firm has focused on legislative and regulatory affairs, consulting for local and regional governments as well as national organizations that serve the public’s interests. Prior to establishing ENS, Eric was a policy and governmental affairs analyst with JSCF, Inc., focusing on regulatory and legislative initiatives. He also served as an associate with LRMC, Ltd., an association management consulting firm, where he worked closely with Congressional committee members and staff. Earlier in his career, Eric represented the EPA before Congress. He advised senior agency officials on strategies regarding waste management, radioactive materials, and clean water policy issues. Eric holds a Master’s of Public Administration with a concentration in public finance, budgeting, and urban administration from The George Washington University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Boston University.

Sarah Sapirstein, Federal Legislative and Policy Analyst

Sarah Sapirstein joined ENS Resources Inc. as a Legislative and Policy Analyst and Associate in 2017 after working in both the public policy and water resources arenas. While achieving her undergraduate degree, Sarah interned for offices in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, including Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California and former-Congressman George Miller of California. In the U.S. Senate, she interned for Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy. Sarah also gained experience beyond Capitol Hill, when she interned at the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. At NACWA she assisted staff monitoring federal clean water policy and non-flushable wipes developments. At ENS Resources Inc., Sarah manages House and Senate legislative activities involving the analysis of legislative and regulatory initiatives and developing legislative strategies related to water quality, water supply, resource recovery and climate change issues. In this role, she routinely communicates with Members and their staff as well as key House and Senate environmental and natural resources committee staff. Sarah graduated with honors from the University of Vermont where she received a B.A. in Political Science and Communications.