Board of Directors
2020-2021 Board of Directors
CAPIO’s Board of Directors is elected by the membership each spring. Board terms are two years, with approximately half of the positions rotating each year according to the schedule outlined in our bylaws. All CAPIO members in good standing are eligible to serve on—and vote for—the CAPIO Board.
Maurice Chaney
President
Maurice Chaney is a strategic communications professional with more than 15 years of combined experience in both the public and private sectors. In his current role as Public Information Officer for the City of Roseville, Maurice manages public relations, marketing, and outreach for Environmental Utilities—a suite of community-owned utilities for a community of 130,000.
Erin Morales
President-Elect
Treasurer
Erin Morales has nearly 15 years of experience in the public sector, specifically working within the water industry. Erin joined the Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD) in 2007 and is the Government and Public Affairs Supervisor. Her areas of focus are public outreach, customer relations, marketing, and conservation programming. She has assisted in the implementation of CVWD’s Communications Master Plan and Branding Style Guide. She has also been instrumental in building CVWD ambassadors through its award winning tours program.
Cucamonga Valley Water District
10440 Ashford Street
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Amy E. Williams
Immediate Past President
With nearly 20 years of media and communications experience in the public and private sectors, Amy Williams has vast experience working in all levels of local government communications. She has developed, implemented, and managed complex communication plans and media strategies, including the negotiations and development of a downtown arena, labor relations, budget process, and emergency operations. Amy has also provided media counseling and coaching to City executives, Councilmembers, and managers.
City of Sacramento
915 I Street, Fifth Floor
Sacramanto, CA 95814
Tom Christensen
Vice President – Conference
Tom Christensen has been a communications specialist with the County of San Diego since 2006. He coordinates and monitors nearly 100 accounts as part of the County’s nationally-recognized social media efforts and writes stories for CountyNewsCenter.com. He was part of the team that won the 2018 CAPIO Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader Team Award and has worked on crisis communications during several wildfires, a county-wide blackout and an outbreak of hepatitis A.
County of San Diego
1600 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
Teresa Collins
Vice President - Awards
Teresa Collins has been in the communications field for over 18 years, holding various jobs in both the private and public sector. She started off her career by writing copy for radio commercials and found her way to a role as the marketing director for a local non-profit. She eventually ended up as a professional government communicator.
City of Escondido
201 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025
Christine Brainerd, APR
Education and Development Chair
Christine is a seasoned, award-winning communications
professional with nearly 20 years of experience in government
communications, public relations, and journalism. As
communications director, she manages the city’s comprehensive
communications program, including news media relations, public
information, and community relations.
City of Folsom
50 Natoma Street
Folsom, CA 95630
Sarah Macdonald
Communications Chair
As Director of Strategic Communications for Western Municipal Water District, Sarah serves a dynamic organization that directly impacts the quality of life for customers and the region. She is proud to be a part of an innovative, results-driven team with a vision of being the definitive leader in water and sewer services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust while delivering a best-in-class customer experience.
Western Municipal Water District
14205 Meridian Parkway
Riverside, CA 92518
Christina Byrne
Social Media Chair
Christina Byrne is the Public Outreach Department Manager at the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and recently served as the 2019 CAPIO Conference Publicity Co-Chair. Christina previously served on the CAPIO Conference Awards Committee and has presented at several previous CAPIO conferences on a variety of topics.
Orange County Transportation Authority
550 S. Main Street
Orange, CA 92863
Michelle Adams
Website Chair
Michelle Adams has nearly 15 years of experience in the communications and public relations industry – having served in the public, private, and NGO sectors. She specializes in strategic and integrated communications planning, brand management, and digital communications. She also enjoys expressing her creative side through graphic design.
Western Municipal Water District
14205 Meridian Parkway
Riverside, CA 92518
Thomas Reeves
Central CA Regional & Membership Chair
As the top communications official for the 17th largest city in California, Thomas has direct leadership over Modesto’s public information, social media, community engagement, and marketing projects. Prior to city work, he worked as a lead public affairs liaison for the largest investor-owned utility in California and as head of the public affairs and community relations divisions for a regional passenger rail agency.
Community and Media Relations Officer
City of Modesto
1010 10th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
Pam Allen
Membership Chair - Northern CA
Pam Allen is a marketing and communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors. She has worked at the City of Roseville managing communications and marketing for Parks, Recreation & Libraries for more than a decade.
Pam’s focus in Roseville includes media relations, marketing plan development/implementation, community relations, strategic planning, public engagement, internal and external communications, and brand management.
City of Roseville
316 Vernon Street
Roseville, CA 95678
Rhea Salvador
Northern CA Regional Chair
Rhea Salvador is a vibrant communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in public information, strategic communications, public affairs, and media relations.
Rhea has worked for the City of Sacramento for more than a decade and is responsible for managing a comprehensive communications program, including news media relations, public information, community relations, and strategic communications.
City of Sacramento
915 I Street, Suite 2000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Grace Cardenas
Southern CA Regional & Membership Director
Grace Cardenas is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with experience in both the public and private sectors. She is currently a Senior Strategic Communications Representative for the Western Municipal Water District. Her specialties include branding and marketing, social media management, content development, emergency communications, and community engagement.
Western Municipal Water District
14205 Meridian Parkway
Riverside, CA 92518
Amy Orr
Association & Conference Manager
Amy Orr began working with CAPIO in 2010 as conference manager. In 2015, her role expanded to association management, and she now handles the day-to-day operations of the organization in addition to managing the annual conference under the direction of the conference committee and Board leadership.
P.O. Box 8840
Chico, CA 95927