Community ENHANCEMENT Collaborative (CEC)
The Community Enhancement Collaborative (CEC) is responsible for making all final recommendations after reviewing the projects that are recommended by the Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
Community ADVISORY Committee (CAC)
The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is a committee charged with assisting in community outreach, project vetting, project recommendations, and any other duties they may be assigned at a later date by the CEC.
Nisha was born and raised in Blythe, California and grew up working on her family's farm. Upon graduation from Palo Verde High School, Nisha attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she obtained a degree in Agriculture Business. She then attended Arizona State University College of Law and is a member of the Arizona and California State Bars.
Since 2013, Nisha has worked as the Managing Director of Nish Noroian Farms and helps run the day to day operations with her mom, Linda, along with their great team. Nisha was first elected as a Trustee to the PVID Board of Directors in 2022 and also enjoys serving on several local committees and boards.
nisha noroian
CEC Co-Chair, PVID
Cynthia Kurtz
CEC Co-Chair, MWD
Current committee appointments:Chair - Ad Hoc Committee on Ag and Tribal PartnershipsMember − Executive Committee; Legal and Claims Committee; One Water and Adaptation Committee; Subcommittee on Imported Water
Professional and community activities: Cynthia Kurtz has held numerous positions in the public and non-profit sectors, including city manager for the city of Pasadena, interim city manager for the cities ofCovina and Santa Ana, chief operating officer for River LA, and president of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership.Kurtz served as an adjunct professor in the University of La Verne graduate program for public administration where she taught public and nonprofit ethics and collaborative decision making.
Desi Alvarez
CEC MWD Member
Current committee appointments:Vice Chair Budget - Finance, Affordability, Asset Management, and EfficiencyMember − Engineering, Operations and Technology Committee; One Water and Adaptation Committee; Subcommittee on Long-Term Regional Planning Processes and Business Modeling; Subcommittee on Imported Water; Ad Hoc Committee on Executive PerformanceAlternate − Executive Committee
Professional and community activities:Director Alvarez was elected to the Board of Directors of West Basin Municipal Water District in 2020 representing the Cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Lomita, West Torrance, and West Carson. Director Alvarez has a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Loyola University, Los Angeles and master’s in water resources and environmental engineering from University California, Davis. He is a California Registered Engineer and consultant providing engineering support in water system management, water supply development, acquisition strategies, project implementation/program management, and project financing.
grant chaffin
CEC PVID Member
David D. De Jesus
CEC MWD Member
Current committee appointments:
Member − Audit Committee; Legal and Claims Committee; Subcommittee on Imported Water
Professional and community activities: Until his retirement in late 2023, Director De Jesus served as president and chief executive officer of Covina Irrigating Company, David De Jesus was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the primary water provider for the city of Covina. He has served as a director at Three Valleys Municipal Water District since 1997. De Jesus served on numerous water boards, including the Main San Gabriel Basin Water Master, the San Gabriel River Water Committee, the San Gabriel Valley Water Association and continues to serve as the voting alternate on the Chino Basin Water Master. De Jesus also served as an alternate to the Colorado River Board to represent California water interests on behalf of Metropolitan from 2016-2024.
Debra Stroschien
CEC PVID Member
President, Research 2000 | Agricultural Consultant | Industry Leader
Debra Stroschein is an accomplished agricultural consultant and business owner with deep roots in California’s farming communities. She divides her time between Blythe, where she manages a 1,400-acre alfalfa farm, and Chico, where she operates her company, Research 2000.
Debra began her agricultural journey working on her family’s farm, which sparked a lifelong passion for the industry. She earned her degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1986, followed by a Masters Degree from UC Riverside in 1988. After a decade in agricultural research, she launched Research 2000 in 2000 to provide specialized consulting and field research services.
Over the years, Debra has held key leadership positions across several industry organizations. She is a past President, Secretary, and President-Elect of the Weed Science Society of California, and currently serves as the Chapter President of the Palo Verde California Women for Agriculture (CWA) was Southern District Director. She was elected State President of CWA for 2024 and 2025.
Debra has also been a committed member of the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC) for over 30 years. She has served two terms as Treasurer, contributed to the Government Affairs Committee since 2014, and was elected President of the NAICC Executive Board in 2015. She is served a second term as NAICC President in 2024.
Debra Stroschein is an accomplished agricultural consultant and business owner with deep roots in California’s farming communities. She divides her time between Blythe, where she manages a 1,400-acre alfalfa farm, and Chico, where she operates her company, Research 2000.
Debra began her agricultural journey working on her family’s farm, which sparked a lifelong passion for the industry. She earned her degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1986, followed by a Masters Degree from UC Riverside in 1988. After a decade in agricultural research, she launched Research 2000 in 2000 to provide specialized consulting and field research services.
Over the years, Debra has held key leadership positions across several industry organizations. She is a past President, Secretary, and President-Elect of the Weed Science Society of California, and currently serves as the Chapter President of the Palo Verde California Women for Agriculture (CWA) was Southern District Director. She was elected State President of CWA for 2024 and 2025.
Debra has also been a committed member of the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC) for over 30 years. She has served two terms as Treasurer, contributed to the Government Affairs Committee since 2014, and was elected President of the NAICC Executive Board in 2015. She is served a second term as NAICC President in 2024.
Leslie Jessop-Watkins
CAC Chair; Community Member Rep.
Leslie Jessop-Watkins and her husband Rory own several small businesses in Blythe. Their businesses and employees have been acknowledged many times at the local, state, and federal level for their exemplary service. Leslie and Rory are active in many community endeavors and support many of the valley’s events and organizations, especially youth sports and agriculture.
Leslie is a veteran of the USN where she received many awards for her work in Quality Assurance. She holds an MBA and is an adjunct professor at Palo Verde College. Leslie also serves on the college’s Foundation Board of Directors and is chair of the Finance and Scholarship committees.
Leslie are Rory are outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy traveling, boating, fishing, camping, and exploring our vast desert. Leslie also enjoys outdoor photography, especially when they travel to new areas.
“It is an honor to serve on the CAC and be part of this very important grant process for our valley! I look forward to working with everyone and reviewing projects that will benefit our community.”
Leslie is a veteran of the USN where she received many awards for her work in Quality Assurance. She holds an MBA and is an adjunct professor at Palo Verde College. Leslie also serves on the college’s Foundation Board of Directors and is chair of the Finance and Scholarship committees.
Leslie are Rory are outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy traveling, boating, fishing, camping, and exploring our vast desert. Leslie also enjoys outdoor photography, especially when they travel to new areas.
“It is an honor to serve on the CAC and be part of this very important grant process for our valley! I look forward to working with everyone and reviewing projects that will benefit our community.”
Rachel Angel
CAC Member, Palo Verde Unified School District
Rachel Angel was born and raised in Blythe, California. She hails from a family of educators, from her great-grandfather, all the way down to her parents and siblings. This is Rachel’s 26th year in the Palo Verde Unified School District. She has served the district as an elementary teacher for 14 years. She moved on to serving as a Teacher on Special Assignment in a Dean of Students capacity. Next, she became the Acting Administrator. Then, Rachel took on an educational challenge, she became the Principal of Twin Palms High School and the Child Welfare and Attendance Coordinator for the district. During Rachel’s second year at Twin Palms, she was needed to fill in as Principal of Ruth Brown and continued her other two roles at Twin Palms High School and CWA. Her third year, Rachel began as Principal of Twin Palms and served as interim principal of Palo Verde High School. For the next five years, Rachel continued as the Principal of Palo Verde High School. Currently, Rachel is the Director of Business Services for Palo Verde Unified School District. Rachel is an enthusiastic administrator with superb leadership and communication skills. She easily cultivates trusting and productive relationships with students, parents, teachers, administration, and community members which she feels is the most important aspect of being an administrator. The one thing she loves about working in the educational field is having the ability to inspire others to achieve their goals. The payoff for Rachel is when students return for a visit, and she can see the pride they carry within themselves because they have succeeded and knowing she had a part in that is the best!
Michael has lived in Blythe his whole life, except for 4 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. He is also an alum of Palo Verde Community College, where he currently teaches as a Welding Instructor.
In addition to Michaels professional life, he is a husband and father. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family outdoors. Michael’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, and hiking.
In addition to Michaels professional life, he is a husband and father. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family outdoors. Michael’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Michael Calabrese
CAC Community Member Rep
Mallory Crecelius
CAC Member, City of Blythe
Mallory Crecelius started her career with the City of Blythe in 2005. Mrs. Crecelius worked in the Finance and Administration departments before her appointment to the position of Interim City Manager in June of 2017. She has also served as the City Clerk since 2009. Mrs. Crecelius has focused her time as Blythe’s Interim City Manager on streamlining the City’s development process, the recruitment of business and industry to the City and improving the City’s fiscal position. She was instrumental in the City’s campaign to “Save Chuck” and has facilitated many public improvements such as the grant funded Beautify Blythe and Palo Verde College Reservoir projects. Mallory also serves on the Public Entity Risk Management Authority’s Board of Directors and the Coachella Valley Association of Government’s Finance Committee.
Mrs. Crecelius has twenty years of municipal government experience in Administration, Finance, Planning and Public Works. She earned a Master of Business Administration from California Baptist University in Riverside, California where she also received an undergraduate degree in Marketing. Mallory is a proud Yellow Jacket and lifelong Blythe resident. Aside from her rewarding career in municipal government, she has a beautiful family with husband Zach, children Cole, age 8, Clay, age 5 and dog Violet. The Crecelius family loves spending time on the river, going to concerts and beach vacations in San Diego and Mexico.
Troy Fabanich is a proud resident currently living in the City of Blythe and has for approximately 24 years. Married over 34 years with 2 grown children. He is recently retired from the police department after a 24-year career as a police officer. His last assignment as Sergeant, he was assigned to handle many responsibilities including traffic, administrative duties, and quality of life issues within the community. Troy is familiar with the many challenges within the city and is excited to share his experiences with others.
troy fabanich
CAC; Community Member Rep.
Lisa Acero ireson
CAC PVID Representative
Lisa Acero Ireson was born and raised in Blythe, California. She began her career at Palo Verde Irrigation District in 2007. She has over 18 years of work experience with duties that include utility clerk, payroll, HR and now she serves as the PVID Office Manager.
In her down time she enjoys hanging out with my husband and our three daughters. The Ireson family enjoys all activities from backyard swimming, Linda Faulkner dance and local sports.
She is excited to join CAC and looks forward to being able to give back to the community that has given her so much growing up in a small town.
In her down time she enjoys hanging out with my husband and our three daughters. The Ireson family enjoys all activities from backyard swimming, Linda Faulkner dance and local sports.
She is excited to join CAC and looks forward to being able to give back to the community that has given her so much growing up in a small town.
Dr. Bruce Moses
CAC Member, Palo Verde College
Dr. Bruce Moses brings more than 35 years of leadership experience in higher education to his role as Superintendent/President of Palo Verde College. Prior to his current position, he served as President of Allen Community College in Iola, Kansas (2022–2024) and as Vice Chancellor for Educational Services and Institutional Integrity at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona (2015–2022).
Since 2006, Dr. Moses has served as a Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission and is a proud graduate of the League for Innovation's Executive Leadership Institute (Class of 2017). He is widely recognized for his visionary leadership, strategic insight, and ability to cultivate meaningful relationships across diverse constituencies. He has a demonstrated track record of transforming institutional culture to support continuous quality improvement and collaborative engagement.
Dr. Moses’s unwavering commitment to equity and student access is evident in his ongoing efforts to expand educational opportunities for historically underserved populations. Driven by a passion for student success, he is especially focused on advancing persistence, retention, and completion rates. He holds a Doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in Higher Education from Eastern Michigan University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Management and Business Administration, also from Eastern Michigan University.
Since 2006, Dr. Moses has served as a Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission and is a proud graduate of the League for Innovation's Executive Leadership Institute (Class of 2017). He is widely recognized for his visionary leadership, strategic insight, and ability to cultivate meaningful relationships across diverse constituencies. He has a demonstrated track record of transforming institutional culture to support continuous quality improvement and collaborative engagement.
Dr. Moses’s unwavering commitment to equity and student access is evident in his ongoing efforts to expand educational opportunities for historically underserved populations. Driven by a passion for student success, he is especially focused on advancing persistence, retention, and completion rates. He holds a Doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in Higher Education from Eastern Michigan University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Management and Business Administration, also from Eastern Michigan University.
Jason Rollo
CAC MWD Representative
Jason Rollo is a Program Manager in the External Affairs group for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Jason spends time in the Palo Verde Valley involved with community interests and funding of community programs by the Metropolitan Water District. Jason also serves as a non-voting director on the Palo Verde Valley Community Improvement Fund.
Jasons other aspects and job assignments include Colorado River, Basin States initiatives, and external communication at the state and federal level. Jason holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a minor in Public Sector Management and Leadership from California State University, Northridge, CA, and Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with a minor in Finance from the University of Redlands, CA.
Jason is a longtime resident in Lakewood, CA and involved with several non-profit organizations in Southern California, as well as serving on several boards in his free time.
Summer Spraggins
CAC Member, Blythe Chamber of Commerce
Summer Spraggins, a proud product of the Palo Verde Valley, brings over 23 years of experience in real estate to the Palo Verde Valley/CAC. As a newly elected City Councilwoman for the City of Blythe, Summer is deeply involved in the community, actively participating in organizations such as California Women for Agriculture (CWA), Soroptimist, Friends of the Fair, Community Improvement Funds, and the Blythe Chamber of Commerce.
Summer works at Allison James Estates and Homes. Known for her networking skills and dedication to community improvement, she is eager to leverage her expertise and collaborative spirit to support the committee's initiatives. When she's not working, Summer enjoys vacationing at the beach, with San Diego's shores holding a special place in her heart. She is also the proud mother of Season, who is pursuing her passions and making her own unique mark in the world.