Central Valley Flood Protection Board

Board Members

1. Brian J. Johnson, Board Secretary

   

   Brian Johnson is the Secretary of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. He was appointed by Governor Newsom as the attorney member of the Board in January 2020 and reappointed in 2024. Through his tenure at the Board, Brian has been deeply engaged in the development of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan and its Conservation Strategy.

   Brian is a water and natural resources advisor at The Freestone Group LLC, which he founded. He worked for Trout Unlimited, the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater conservation organization, where he was Senior Policy Advisor for Western Water (2024-2025), California Director (2011-2024), and director of the California Water Program (2005-2011).

   Brian has been a board member for the Klamath River Renewal Corporation since 2016. He worked as an attorney at the public interest law firm Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger from 2000 to 2005, representing local governments, tribal nations, and community groups on natural resource and land use law, permitting and CEQA, complex negotiations, and intergovernmental law.

   Before law school, Brian was the Communications Director at the White House Council on Environmental Quality from 1993 to 1997.

   He was the co-founder and first project manager for EPA’s “Energy Star” program from 1991 to 1993.

   He graduated from Duke University and Stanford Law School.

2. Betty Andrews, Board Member

   

   Governor Newsom appointed Elizabeth (Betty) Andrews, of Santa Rosa, to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board in June 2024.

   Betty has had more than thirty years’ experience in hydrology, hydraulics, flood management, floodplain and wetland restoration, and water resources management. She is a licensed engineer in the State of California and has operated a sole proprietorship since 2021. She held multiple roles at Environmental Science Associates (ESA) from 2010 to 2021, including Vice President/Principal Engineer and Project Director. Prior to ESA, Betty held multiple roles at Philip Williams and Associates, Ltd. from 1990 to 2010, including Principal, Project Manager, Staff Engineer and Chair of the Board of Directors. She was a Graduate Student Intern at the California Department of Water Resources from 1988 to 1989. Betty was Conservation Director of Friends of the River from 1981 to 1987. She is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Salmonid Restoration Federation and the Floodplain Management Association.

   Betty earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology and Human Affairs from Washington University in St. Louis.

3. Joseph Countryman, Board Member

   

   Joe Countryman was appointed to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board by Governor Brown on April 2, 2012. He was reappointed in 2020.

   He is a Registered Civil Engineer in California and Nevada, a Diplomate with the American Academy of Water Resource Engineers, and received the Award of Distinction from San Jose State University, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

   Joe comes to the Board after a noteworthy career with the U.S. Army Corps of
   Engineers, MBK Engineers, and sole proprietorship in Civil Engineering consulting,
   with many years of experience in the fields of hydrology, hydraulics, flood control, flood operations and floodfight management, water supply, water resources development, engineering analysis, and design of flood control and multiple purpose projects.

   Mr. Countryman’s work and expertise on water projects and studies, as well as his keen analyses and decision-making during critical times of flood management have been invaluable in furthering water management in California, and protecting the public and its property from devastating flooding.

4. Mary Jane Griego, Board Member

   

   Governor Newsom appointed Mary Jane Griego to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board on July 7, 2020. She has been a resident of Yuba County since the early 1960’s when her parents moved from Sacramento to Olivehurst to run their own restaurant, Duke’s Diner. She attended local grade schools, graduated from Marysville High School in 1975 and attended Yuba College. Mary Jane has always been involved in her community, raising money or awareness for worthy causes for children, seniors and veterans. Mary Jane continues these efforts through the Duke’s Memorial Golf Tournament which funds thousands of dollars for such causes.

   Mary Jane is married to Jeff Schneider who is a retired veteran of the United States Air Force. Between them they brought three children into the marriage and are now the proud grandparents of three beautiful granddaughters, Moira, Olivia and Adeline.

   Mary Jane ran for the position of Yuba County Supervisor 3rd district as a direct result of the 1997 flood. Her campaign had one simple message: flood control. Mary Jane won her election in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012. During her four terms in office she founded the River Levee Improvement Authority and served as Chair until Jan 2017. The South Yuba County in the RD 784 area now has the best levee system in the state. Mary Jane has also served on many commissions over her 16 years in office. Some of the more noteworthy commissions include the Yuba County Water Agency, CALAFCO Executive Board, Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), California Council of Governments, Feather River Air Quality, Yuba LAFCO, First 5 Yuba Commission, Honorary Vice Chair of the Metro Chamber Capitol to Capitol (2016). Most recently she was appointed to the Board of Directors for Olivehurst Public Utility District (OPUD) serving on the Water/Waste Water Committee. Mary Jane also serves on the executive Board for Ampla Health. She accomplished all this while running the family business, Duke’s Diner, of which she is now the proud owner.

5. Keely Bosler, Board Member

   

   On August 17, 2022 Governor Newsom appointed Keely Bosler, of Sacramento, to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. Bosler was Director of the California Department of Finance from 2018 to 2022. She was Cabinet Secretary in the Office of the Governor from 2016 to 2018, Chief Deputy Director for Budget at the California Department of Finance from 2013 to 2016 and Staff Director for the California State Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee from 2010 to 2013. She was Associate Director, Fiscal Services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Budget Management Branch from 2009 to 2010 and a Consultant for the California State Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee from 2004 to 2009. Bosler served as a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the California Legislative Analyst’s Office from 2000 to 2004. She earned a Master of Science degree in Applied Economics from Cornell University.

6. Vacant

   This position is currently vacant.

7. Vacant

   This position is currently vacant.

1. Senator Josh Becker, Board Member

   

   Josh Becker is a California State Senator representing most of Silicon Valley, including innovation hubs such as Stanford University and Sand Hill Road.

   In the Legislature, Senator Becker is a leader on climate, natural resources, workforce issues, and economic innovation. He currently serves as Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, Chair of the Senate Human Resources Committee, and Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Economic Development and Innovation, where he focuses on policies critical to California’s environmental stewardship, workforce readiness, and long-term economic competitiveness.

   Senator Becker is the author of multiple bills advancing California’s transition to clean energy and climate resilience while prioritizing affordability, consumer protection, and innovation. His legislative work reflects Silicon Valley’s role as a global engine for technological advancement and economic growth, paired with California’s responsibility to lead on sustainability and equity.

   Before entering public office, Josh Becker was a nationally recognized clean energy and innovation thought leader. He helped mobilize the clean energy business community as a co-founder of Cleantech for Obama and the Clean Economy Network.

   As Founder of New Cycle Capital, Josh was a seed investor in pioneering companies including Opower, Renew Financial, People Power, One Block Off the Grid, and TerraPass.

   In 2000, he founded the Full Circle Fund, a community leadership and policy innovation organization that supports nonprofits driving positive change across the Bay Area, and he served as project lead for the Fund’s Energy and Environment Circle.

   A JD/MBA from Stanford University, Josh has served as a longtime board member of the Cleantech Open, was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the California Workforce Development Board and was a founding Trustee of the University of California, Merced Foundation Board of Trustees, where he served as Chair from 2013 to 2015.

   Josh began his career at ICF International, a Washington, D.C.–based environmental consulting and engineering firm, where he helped launch the first Clean Air Marketplace Conference and advised companies such as General Electric on energy and environmental strategy.

2. Assemblymember Diane Papan, Board Member

   

   Diane Papan was first elected to the California State Assembly in November 2022. She represents the 21st Assembly District, which includes the entire Bayside of San Mateo County from Brisbane to East Palo Alto.

   In the Assembly, Papan serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks & Wildlife and serves on the Committees on Transportation and Governmental Organization & Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials.

   Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Papan served as mayor and city councilmember for the City of San Mateo where she was a recognized regional leader championing investment in infrastructure, transit and climate adaptation among many policy pursuits.

   As a member of the State Assembly, Diane is focused on investing in strategies to address climate change and the related challenges of flooding, drought, and wildfires, as well as water quality, women’s health, accessible and quality healthcare services, gun safety, affordable housing, and access to quality public schools.

   Papan is a native of San Mateo County, raised in both Daly City and Millbrae, California. She earned a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1985 and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1988. Her career experience includes working as an attorney in several different firms, including her own private practice representing small businesses. She also works as an executive director of the nonprofit John’s Closet in Daly City, providing new clothing to children in need.

   Papan and her husband Dan are proud parents of a teenage daughter.