Central Valley Flood Protection Board

The Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB – formerly known as the State Reclamation Board), has been in existence since 1911. CVFPB is the state’s regulatory agency charged with the mission of reducing the risk of catastrophic flooding to people and property within the California central valley – the most flood prone area of the state.

The seven voting members of the Board are Governor-appointed and Senate confirmed. Board members bring expertise in the areas of flood control, engineering, water law, hydrology, and environmental stewardship, providing a balanced review and discussion of flood management issues brought before them.

Central Valley Flood Protection Board Members (click on Board Member name for a biography):

  • Jane Dolan, Board President

    Jane Dolan was appointed to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board on December 30, 2011 by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., and reappointed and confirmed in 2014 for a new term. In 2022, she was reappointed to the Board by Governor Newsom, as well as appointed as Board President.

    Jane Dolan is a fourth generation native of Butte County. Ms. Dolan served on the Butte County Board of Supervisors from January 1979 to January 2011, serving eight terms representing the 2nd Supervisorial District, encompassing portions of the Chico urban area stretching to the Sacramento River. As County Supervisor, Ms. Dolan has been involved with Sacramento River issues for decades.

    As a Supervisor, Ms. Dolan was known as one who worked diligently on constituent needs, neighborhood planning, land use matters, numerous areas of public policies and sound fiscal budgeting. She was instrumental in establishing protections for the prime agricultural lands of Butte County, known locally as the Greenline. Ms. Dolan has served on numerous local, regional and state Boards and Committees. Ms. Dolan led the effort to begin the Butte Regional Habitat Plan. In addition to service as County Supervisor, she has been an active member of organizations, including the Chico State Alumni Association, PTA, the Library Advisory Board and the Chico High School Sports Boosters.

    Ms. Dolan has received numerous recognition and awards for her community service including Special Recognition from the Butte County Farm Bureau, Recognition Award from the Northern California Water Association, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to the Community from the Chico Chamber of Commerce, the Circle of Service Award from the County Supervisors Association of California, and has been inducted into the CSU, Chico University Leaders, the Chico Education Hall of Fame, the Distinguished Alumni of Pleasant Valley High School and Distinguished Alumni of Notre Dame School.

    Ms. Dolan serves as the Executive Director of the Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum, an organization working to identify solutions to the diverse issues along the upper Sacramento River corridor and supporting local private property actions of habitat conservation, agricultural sustainability, protection of critical infrastructure, community safety and recreation opportunities.

    Ms. Dolan and her husband, Bob Mulholland, live in Chico.

  • Mike Villines, Board Vice President

    Mike Villines was first appointed to the Board in 2011  by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.  He was reappointed in 2014 and 2018 and 2022. He was elected to the California State Assembly in 2004 to represent the 29th Assembly District, which includes the counties of Fresno and Madera. Known as the heartland of California, this region is an agriculturally rich and ethnically diverse part of California. After serving six years in the California State Assembly, which is the maximum service allowed under California’s Constitution, Mike went back to his private sector roots and opened the Villines Group, a Corporate and Government Relations consulting firm with offices in Sacramento and Fresno California.

    Mike served as one of the longest serving Minority Leaders in recent California history. As one of the “Big 5” (four Legislative Leaders and the Governor), Villines played many important roles, including negotiating 4 state budgets, a state water bond and a state “rainy day” fund.
    His leadership skills set the tone for his many Bi-Partisan public policy advances, major high-tech tax code reform; major reform in California’s healthcare policy for those with pre-existing conditions; the formation of public/private partnerships to bring public works projects online faster; reform in categorical school funding; and balancing environmental protection with economic development by streamlining regulations that allowed growth in our economy, energy infrastructure and the protection of our natural resources simultaneously.

    Mike has given Keynote speeches and lectured on leadership, budget/economics, government and accountability at some of our country’s greatest forums, including at the John F. Kennedy Library, “The Rotunda” at the University of Virginia, The Emerging Leaders Program for the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and throughout California at universities and business forums.

    Mike, along with three of his Bi-Partisan colleagues, was the 2010 recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, the nation’s most prestigious honor for an elected public servant. He was also awarded the Legislator of the Year award from the American Legislative Exchange Council.
    Villines currently serves as Vice President of Corporate and Government Affairs for the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, independent national organization committed to providing specialized educational and enrichment programs for the leaders of our state legislatures. In addition, Mike serves as a Gubernatorial Appointee on the California Central Valley Flood Protection Board, which deals with the state’s Levee management policies, and as an Ex Officio Member of the California Bay-Delta Conservancy.

  • Brian J. Johnson, Secretary

    Photo of Brian J. JohnsonGovernor Newsom appointed Brian J. Johnson to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board in January, 2020. Brian is the California Director at Trout Unlimited, the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater conservation organization. He was director of its California Water Program from 2005 to 2011, when he became state director. Brian oversees a team working to protect, reconnect, restore and sustain California’s trout and salmon streams in partnership with farmers, foresters, tribes, and other partners.

    Brian worked five years as an attorney at the public interest law firm Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger. He represented local governments, tribes, and community groups to protect waterways, advising clients 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 1993-1997.

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

    Brian is a board member of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation created to remove four dams on the Klamath River.

    He graduated from Duke University and Stanford Law School.

  • VACANT, Board Member

     

  • Joseph Countryman, Board Member

    Joe CountrymanJoe 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.

  • Mary Jane Griego, Board Member

    Board Member GriegoGovernor 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.

  • Keely Bosler, Board Member

    Keely Bosler

    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.

The Board also consists of two legislative, ex-officio, non-voting members representing the Chairs of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Waters (Senator Henry Stern) and the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife (Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia).

  • Senator Dave Min, Board Member

    Dave Min | California Legislator TrackerAs of February 2023, Senator Min is the Chair of the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee, as well as an ex-officio Board Member of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.

    Senator Dave Min was elected in 2020 to represent Orange County’s 37th State Senate District, which includes in the cities of Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Newport, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park. As well as the communities of Anaheim Hills, Corona Del Mar, Foothill Ranch, North Tustin, and Silverado Canyon.

    In the Senate, Senator Min is focused on gun violence prevention, climate action, economic development and innovation, and investing in public education. He serves as Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, which has jurisdiction over the state’s environmental stewardship, including protection of California’s public lands and coastline, oil and gas regulation, and preserving biodiversity.

    As the only Korean American in the Legislature, Senator Min is proud to serve as Vice Chair of the California Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus which has been instrumental in the passage of the historic AAPI Equity Budget. In response to the rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, the $166.5 million investment addresses longstanding racial inequities, provides services to victims of hate crimes, and funds prevention efforts.

    Before joining the State Senate, Senator Min was a law professor at UC Irvine, where he taught and researched in the area of business law. He is one of the country’s leading experts on banking and housing policy, and has testified six times before Congress on these issues.

    A son of Korean immigrants who grew up during the Korean War and its aftermath, Dave’s parents came to the United States in 1971 and raised their two sons in the Golden State. Dave is a native Californian who currently resides in Irvine with his wife, Jane Stoever, and their three young kids.

  • Assemblymember Diane Papan, Board Member

    As of January 2022, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan is the Chair of the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife.

    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 the Assistant Majority Leader for Policy & Research and on the Appropriations; Communications and Conveyance; Judiciary; and Privacy and Consumer Protection committees.

    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 neighborhood safety, accessible, 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, California providing new clothing to children in need.

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

Board Member Committees

  • Executive Committee: A committee of executive leadership of the Board consisting of the President, Vice President, Executive Officer and Board Counsel, authorized to act in accordance with the adopted governance principles on matters of Board administration. The Board Staff contact for the committee is Executive Officer Chris Lief can be reached at (916)709-0160
  • Coordinating Committee: the Coordinating Committee provides an open forum to promote the integration of system-wide and regional flood planning throughout the six Regional Flood Management Planning areas. The Board Staff contact for the committee is Chief Engineer Michael Wright and can be contacted at (916) 952-8453. 
  • Advisory Committee: the Advisory Committee provides guidance to the Board regarding implementation of habitat-related issues articulated in the adopted 2017 Update of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (the Plan).  The Board Staff contact for the committee is Engineering and Technical Office Program Manager Ruth Darling and can be reached at (916) 224-4943.
  • Local Funding Committee: the Local Funding Committee shall make recommendations to the Board on how to provide sufficient funds to satisfy local responsibilities under law and agreements for the State Plan of Flood Control. The Board Staff contact for the committee is Engineering and Technical Office Program Manager Ruth Darling and can be reached at (916) 224-4943.

Board Member Participation on Committees and Liason Assignments

Click HERE for the policy regarding Board member participation on Committees and Liason Assignments.

Click HERE for the Central Valley Flood Protection Board Governance Principles.

Click HERE for a chronological history of Reclamation Board/Central Valley Flood Protection Board members.