AC26 Confident Conversations: Interviewing Skills for Water and Wastewater Professionals

Helen Hu is the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manager II with the Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer). In this role, Helen oversees a workforce of about 200 technical and administrative staff in supervisory and non-supervisory positions that are responsible for the 24/7 operation and maintenance of the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility (EchoWater Facility).

Helen has over 22 years of experience in the wastewater industry, including operation and maintenance; regulatory and compliance in areas of process safety, air quality and climate change, NPDES, recycled water, and solid waste management; budget administration and audit; workforce and organization development; training and labor relations.

Helen started her career in 2002 with SacSewer as an Assistant Civil Engineer at the EchoWater Facility and continues to advance to her current position. Helen was inspired to pursue the field of wastewater during a high school field trip that showed the process of treating dirty water to clean water and being able to put it back to the environment for beneficial reuse. Helen pursued her interests in wastewater at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering. While at Cal Poly, Helen worked at Smucker’s fruit processing plant in Oxnard, CA as a Pre-treatment Plant Operator to “get her feet wet” in the field.

Helen is a licensed Civil Engineer with the State of California and is actively involved with California Water Environment Association (CWEA). Helen currently serves as the Vice Chair on CWEA's Northern Regional Committee and Conference Co-Chair for the 2026 Annual Conference. Helen also serves as a Facilitator in the Sacramento County's award-winning Leadership Development Academy program.

Outside of work, Helen is a wife and mother of two kids, enjoys cooking, crocheting, watching crime shows, and reading.

Norman Woods is the Assistant Public Works Director of Utilities and Environmental Services for the City of Roseville, California, where he oversees comprehensive utility operations including water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, recycled water systems, and water quality management. In this role, he manages multimillion-dollar budgets, directs capital improvement projects, and provides leadership for a skilled team, ensuring regulatory compliance and the delivery of high-quality services to the community. Previously, he served as Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator V (Chief Plant Operator) and held earlier positions as Lead Operator (Grade IV) and Operator II/III, gaining extensive hands-on experience in SCADA systems, process control, laboratory analysis, equipment maintenance, and emergency response planning. Across all roles, Norman has demonstrated expertise in staff development, performance evaluation, operational optimization, and sustainable infrastructure management.

Norman holds a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in Government and Public Policy from California State University, Sacramento. His educational background in business and public policy complements his technical expertise, enabling him to lead complex municipal utility operations with strategic insight and efficiency. With a career grounded in public service, Norman is dedicated to advancing infrastructure, promoting environmental sustainability, and mentoring the next generation of utility professionals while fostering a collaborative, results-driven work culture.

Christina Winnicki is a dedicated HR Management Analyst and Board Clerk at Ross Valley Sanitary District. With over a decade of experience spanning finance, human resources, and office management, Christina brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. She holds SHRM-CP and CLRM certifications and earned her Bachelor's degree in Accounting. She is currently working towards her Master’s in Public Administration.

In her current position, Christina manages recruitment and onboarding, supports HR operations, and performs board clerk duties. Before transitioning to public service, she worked with small businesses, helping them streamline operations, recruit talent, and achieve profitability.

Born and raised in the East Bay, Christina is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She co-founded East Bay Women for Good, a giving circle that supports local non-profits, and volunteers with The Bread Project, an organization dedicated to empowering disadvantaged individuals with the skills needed to enter the workforce.

In her free time, Christina enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children, camping, baking, and exploring new podcasts.

John Vogel has been an active member of the California Water Environment Association since 2011 and a dedicated volunteer since 2017. He currently serves as Vice President of the CWEA State Board of Directors and is a past Chair of the Technical Certification Program (TCP) Committee, where he led statewide exam revalidation efforts and supported workforce development across all certification grades. John has also served as TCP Vice Chair, OPS Financial Committee member, and liaison to multiple committees, sections, and local chapters, and on program committes such as the Planned Program and Development committee, the CWEA Audit committee, and the Executive Committee.

Professionally, John is an Operations Supervisor at Ross Valley Sanitary District, where he oversees data-driven asset management, CMMS optimization, CCTV, maintenance, remote flow program, pump stations, and collection system performance. He is a frequent CWEA conference presenter, having presented at Annual Conferences on topics including sewer data management, CMMS utilization, remote monitoring, and I&I reduction. John is passionate about practical leadership, certification excellence, and advancing the wastewater profession through education and service.

Nichole Morgan was appointed as the civil engineer to the State Water Resources Control Board by Governor Gavin Newsom in June 2021. Ms. Morgan most recently served as an Assistant Deputy Director in the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Financial Assistance, where she worked on projects providing funding for drinking water, wastewater, storm water and groundwater infrastructure improvements. During this time Ms. Morgan also oversaw the management of a variety of additional programs including the Lead in Child Care Centers, Fish Advisories, and Drinking Water and Wastewater Operator Certification programs.

From 1999 to 2009 Ms. Morgan worked for public agencies and engineering consulting firms. Her responsibilities included planning, designing, and overseeing the construction of drinking water, wastewater and recycled water treatment and conveyance facilities throughout California. Ms. Morgan joined the State Water Resources Control Board in 2009 where she worked as staff in the Division of Financial Assistance, Delta Water Master’s Office, and the Division of Water Rights. Ms. Morgan worked as a manager at the Central Valley Regional Water Board from 2012 to 2018, where she managed the region’s NPDES program. She returned to the State Water Board in 2018 as the head of the Office of Sustainable Water Solutions and was promoted in 2019 to an Assistant Deputy Director with the Division of Financial Assistance.

Ms. Morgan has a Bachelor in Science in Civil Engineering from California State University, Sacramento.

Sonny Lunde is the Director of EchoWater Operations at the Sacramento Area Sewer District and leads over 350 SacSewer staff responsible for the operations, maintenance, engineering, construction programs, and laboratory services at the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility. Sonny has over 25 years of public service. Prior to his role as the Director of EchoWater Operations, Sonny served as the Engineering Design Manager for SacSewer's Collection System Operations, and the Engineering Manager and Operations and Maintenance Manager for SacSewer's EchoWater Operations. Sonny holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from California State University, Sacramento. He has been a licensed engineer since 2004.

Operations and Maintenance Manager – Ross Valley Sanitary District
With 26 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry, I’ve built my career across the full spectrum of collections, distribution, and treatment plant maintenance. My background includes extensive hands‑on and supervisory work with the City of Daly City and Central Marin Sanitation Agency, where I supported critical infrastructure and operational reliability.
I currently serve as the Operations and Maintenance Manager for Ross Valley Sanitary District, home to California’s oldest sanitary collection system. In this role, I oversee system performance, maintenance programs, field operations, and long‑term asset stewardship to ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible service for the community.

Alexandra Ikeda, Deputy City Manager for the City of American Canyon, holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure Management from California State University East Bay, and brings more than 20 years of public service expereience. With a diverse background in parks, recreation, public communications, and administration, Alexandra prides herself on fostering strong community connections and partnerships. She has a strong foundation in public information and storytelling, staff development, and city leadership. Alexandra is also known as a motivated, solutions-oriented leader who creates welcoming and collaborative team environments that gets things done. With hands-on field experience and a visionary approach, she enjoys bringing innovative ideas to life and empowing teams to achieve successful outcomes for the organization and the community.