Get to Know the CASA Staff: Jessica Gauger
Jessica Gauger manages CASA’s state legislative advocacy initiatives and is our lead advocate in the California Legislature. She regularly 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 legislative committee activities and all external and membership initiatives related to our legislative advocacy programs. Prior to joining CASA, Jessica was employed with 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. Jessica lives in Sacramento with her husband Josh and two sons, Griffin (8) and Cooper (6). In her free time Jessica enjoys cycling, cooking, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Jessica beyond the office:

  • What’s your favorite holiday or special occasion, and how do you usually celebrate it? Halloween is hands-down my favorite holiday to celebrate. My birthday and one of my children’s birthdays are Halloween adjacent making it a special time of year in general. There’s something so whimsical and fun about the costumes and spookiness and little bit of mischief of the holiday. We always go big on the Halloween decorations and host a costume party for the kids, and of course go trick or treating on Halloween night. And to top it off we like to spend months planning elaborate family themed costumes. This year we’re planning to be Ghostbusters ☺
  • What is one thing you cannot live without? Grocery delivery. I started getting groceries delivered during the pandemic and I’ll never go back. Actually, any kind of delivery service really – I’m all about efficiencies.
  • If you could have any animal as a pet, real or fictional, what would it be? I’m a big softie for animals and I sometimes daydream of owning a little farm in retirement where I’d collect a menagerie of impractical farm animals with funny personalities like pygmy goats, miniature donkeys and a couple alpacas.
  • What’s your favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon? I really like to cook and find it relaxing so I’d say a lazy Sunday is best spent slowly cooking some elaborate meal and then enjoying it together with my family.

 

Registration is Open for the Excellence Unveiled Webinar
Register today for an exclusive webinar on June 25 from 11:00am – 12:15pm, as we delve into past CASA Awards of Excellence winning projects. This virtual event offers a unique opportunity to gain invaluable insights directly from the minds behind these exceptional projects. From harnessing biomethane as a renewable energy source to engaging the public through effective outreach and education programs, each project offers a unique perspective and important lessons for other CASA agencies. Our esteemed presenters, each a recipient of a past CASA Award of Excellence, will take you on a journey through their innovative projects, sharing the challenges and triumphs that defined their process.

For those of you who have seen our Awards of Excellence presented at the CASA Annual Conference and wanted to know more about the projects being honored, now is your opportunity! This webinar promises to be a rich source of knowledge and inspiration, with plenty of time to engage with the presenters during the Q&A period. You won’t want to miss it! Register here!

 

CASA Annual Conference in Monterey: Hotel Block Nearing Capacity!
CASA’s Annual Conference is only two months away, and the hotel block is almost sold out, so be sure to register today and reserve a room! Set to take place from July 31 to August 2 at the Monterey Marriott, this year’s program offers an array of speakers and panels geared towards providing our agencies with the necessary tools and information to foster collaboration and achieve our common goals. We will host three different tracks this year with opportunities for high-level policy discussions as well as deep technical dives, and some excellent networking opportunities! As always, our committee leaders and subject matter experts will be on hand to provide all the latest information on legislative and regulatory proposals that will impact your agency. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on what we have in store. Register now and make your reservations to lock in the best hotel rates. We hope to see you this summer in Monterey!

 

Come Grow with Us!
CASA is delighted to announce the continuation of the CASA Mentoring Program for 2024-25 after another successful year. Join us as a mentor or mentee to inspire others, share knowledge, and drive change!

This 11-month comprehensive program, kicking off in October and concluding in August 2025, connects clean water professionals from across California. Partnering with Core Consulting, renowned for their experience in developing mentoring and training programs for public agencies, CASA will match mentor/mentee pairs based on their professional goals, preferences, and experience. The program is open to both associates and agency members. Interested in learning more? Join our virtual information sessions on:

Be sure to visit the CASA LEAD webpage! If you’re already interested in participating in this program for the upcoming year, please email Alyssa Downs so we can add you to our interest list.

 

In Memoriam: Thomas R. Handley
CASA is saddened to share the news that Union Sanitary District (USD) Director Thomas R. Handley, 72, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Director Handley served the customers of Union Sanitary District for 24 years with distinction and dedication. Tom first served as a USD Director for seven years beginning in 1995 before a job transfer took him out of state in 2002. He was appointed in 2007 to fill a retiring Director’s seat, then ran uncontested in 2008 and served consecutive terms until his passing. As a USD Director, Tom modeled being a good fiscal steward with ratepayers’ interests in mind. He prioritized USD’s delivery of services in a cost-effective manner while ensuring the District met all environmental regulations and focused on maintenance of USD’s infrastructure as key to protecting the environment while being fiscally conservative. Tom recognized the need to balance business interests while meeting environmental standards, encouraging collaboration with business customers to develop mutually agreeable and cost-effective guidelines and timeframes.

During Tom’s tenure, he provided guidance and direction through major District initiatives and upgrades to USD’s Union City treatment plant. The latest program benefiting from his support is the District’s Enhanced Treatment and Site Upgrade Program (ETSU), the largest capital improvement program in USD’s 106-year history. Tom’s many years of leadership have been integral to important programs that will serve the District’s customers now and for decades to come. CASA extends their deepest condolences to the Handley family and the USD community.