CHERYL
SUDDUTH
for WATER
CATALYST for CHANGE
“Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realise we cannot eat money.”
-Native American proverb
WATER is LIFE
Agua es la Vida
Dr. Cheryl...
Mamí. Mentor. Scientist/Biochemist. Mujerón.
Labor-endorsed. Community-rooted. Catalyst for Change.
Proven Leadership. Real Results. A Stronger Future.
As a Scientist and Negotiator who has closed deals from Silicon Valley to Paris, London, Munich, Sydney & Colombia to DC,
delivering solutions is one of the things I do best.
Whether through our fights to hold local companies and refineries accountable for the damage they have caused in
polluting our air, soil, water, food and the disparately harming our fenceline and frontline communities;
or exposing the unsafe living conditions in Richmond Public Housing which led to the ongoing battle to relocate residents
to safe, clean affordable quality housing with working water and sanitation systems;
or one of the leaders of the successful advocacy to BAAQMD to pass the nation's most stringent and health-protective air
regulations and GHG reduction measures;
or successfully lobbying local & state governments to mandate use of renewable energy sources, fuels and energy-efficient
or electric vehicles;
or successfully lobbying state & local organizations and government entities to incorporate non-meat (beef/pork) menus
in official meetings/events to underscore water scarcity and commitment to conservation;
or helping to lead public education efforts;
or working on the Richmond & Oakland 'Resilient by Design' teams on ways to protect our shorelines from sea-level rise;
or travelling throughout California or the nation to be informed of conditions that impact communities in need of more
resources and opportunities to thrive - in all I do, I have endeavoured to keep the People's work foremost, realising
it is always about the People.
Working in collaboration with other community leaders & organizations, labor groups, & systems operators, we have
made many transformative changes in our environmental, economic, educational, housing, health, transportation, & other
systems that reflect our collective values. Yet, there's still so much more to do.
En las palabras del filósofo urbano, Kendrick Lamar, "They not like us,"... porque
Yo soy de otra cría.
Lo que poseo no se compra...
no se toma prestado...
ni se quebranta.
Manos a la obra.
{I'm built different. What I Have cannot be bought, or borrowed, or broken. Let's get to work. }
Leadership ~ Experience ~ Vision
“Building a Better Tomorrow Together”
ME...
Water underpins everything. Every job, every business, every community, every life. And yet most of us couldn't tell you the price of a gallon of it. We know the cost of oil to the penny. We track it on the news, in the markets, in our daily lives. Water, the thing we cannot survive without, barely registers.
That paradox sits at the heart of my environmental work … and the crux of my determination to change the way our communities look at water and handle the conundrum.
"No river can return to its source, yet all rivers must have a beginning." ~Tribe Unknown
Reliable water/wastewater services protect public health, safeguard our environment, and supports community resilience.
I’ve worked to safeguard these priorities and strengthen the systems. That means seeing beyond pipes, pumps, and treatment plants, to see opportunities to build systems that are models of fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and benefit community while also honoring public trust and supporting local jobs and businesses.
As Board Director/President, I employ +25y of environmental science, public administration, and multi-jurisdictional (environmental policy/legal & regulatory/housing/transit/justice) expertise to ensure public monies are spent responsibly and every policy serves our long-term interests.
I’ve been proud to lead transformative work -- innovative resource recovery, infrastructure modernization, energy innovation, environmental protection, regenerative community development, and economic growth -- producing real results that don’t just ‘sustain’ us, yet building resilient, empowered communities that are structurally and economically sound for the long-term.
“Service is the price we pay for our room here on Earth” – Muhammad Ali
From balancing biennial budgets that balance technological needs and innovation, community service needs and affordability with fair wages & benefits for workers and contractors in a constrained labor market; to approving Comprehensive Energy Services Projects that focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and improved reliability; to oversight of capital improvement plans that prioritize modernization and reduced energy use, I have worked diligently to position the District as an industry leader and employer of choice.
Under my leadership, we have maintained sound, transparent and fiscally responsible policies and practices that meet, and often exceed, regulatory standards - earning the District several awards of Distinction. Our Board has empowered WCW staff to innovate and develop operations for a future that benefits all of us, resulting in operations that not only blend infrastructure modernization, energy innovation and environmental protections, yet enhanced service reliability and substantial contributions to regional sustainability goals.
The efforts are reflected in the results…
"We will be known forever by the tracks we leave." ~Dakota
-
Chair of Legislative & Finance Committees. Served as Chair/Vice-Chair for West County Agency (JPA with City of Richmond): ensuring fiscal prudence, fair contracts, wise measured spending of the Peoples’ money, balanced operating & capital budgets, and significantly reduced unfunded liabilities has resulted in improved credit ratings and saved +$4M due to better interest rates.
-
60+ advocacy visits to Sacramento & D.C., helping to enact 79 bills (57 state-endorsed & 22 federal-endorsed) into laws.
-
Advocated for, and delivered, ~$770M funding (+$20M local/$750M statewide) for infrastructure improvement and environmental protection projects, including $1.35M for WCW’s levee, and local jobs.
-
Led creation, adoption, and updating of District’s first and subsequent 5-Year Strategic Plans (2021, 2026), Debt & Reserves Policies - focused on infrastructure resilience, environmental stewardship, resource recovery, and fiscal responsibility.
-
Reduced reliance on outside consultants helping expand local jobs and internal promotions.
-
Led negotiation/renewal of Project Stabilization Labor Agreement (PLSA) (incl. community benefits and training programs).
-
Championed initiatives for projects that don’t just focus on sustaining the status quo but that actively restores and continuously improves local resources and quality of the environment and the local community and natural habitats - - i.e., the Richmond levee, the shoreline and watershed projects, and the revised agreement with the City of Richmond that will generate revenue from biosolids drying/disposal.
-
Led the Board’s adoption and funding of its PIPES (Public Incentive Program for Efficiency of Sewers) rebate program to help West County residential and commercial property owners with the costs of repairing and/or replacing their damaged sewer laterals.
-
Clean water and a healthy environment aren’t optional - they’re essential.
-
That’s why I’ve been a strong proponent for investing in infrastructure projects, including championing our Clean & Green project. I was the chief advocate for the Board’s adoption, including $79M revenue bonds to fund the initiative. It has generated hundreds of good-paying jobs while modernizing wastewater systems.
-
Under my leadership, the Board adopted its first series of published management plans positioning WCW as a sustainability and innovation leader: Climate-Energy Action Plan| Assets Management Plan | Fleet Management Plan | IT Strategic Plan | AI Policy| EV Charging Policy | Technology Action Pan.
“The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~Chinese Proverb
I’ve led the call for sustainable energy, solar, and recycled water solutions, resulting in significant savings. We have taken proactive implementation of measures to reduce overall sewer overflows, increase environmental protections, ensure water quality permit compliance, while also decreasing the District’s environmental footprint.
"Leadership is best taught by a leader." ~Ugandan Proverb
This is what Accountability looks like…
This is what Leadership looks like…
I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished, and while statistics are important, there’s more of the People’s work to be done. Know that we are more than just people elected to do a job. We are your neighbors and we are part of this community too. So, every choice, every decision, every investment we make is a choice, a decision, an investment for all of ‘us’. Together, we are building systems that are innovative, resilient, affordable, and ready for the future.
While this isn’t a ‘glamorous’ role, it is an important one, and I intend to continue working to deliver proven leadership, real results, and resilient future.
Let’s keep the momentum going.
What We Do...
West County Wastewater is governed by a five (5) member Board of Directors, publicly elected or appointed.
The Board makes all policy determinations through the enactment of ordinances, codes, and resolutions related to Board of Directors meetings and procedures; personnel; solid waste collections; connections and fees; uniform plumbing code; sewage and discharge regulations; and ordinance listing.
The Board has final authority in the implementation of these policies. The Board determines how the District will obtain and spend funds and reviews and approves the District’s Operating and Capital Budget. The Board also appoints the General Manager and Legal Counsel, as well as the members of the District’s standing committees.
As a Director, my specific responsibilities have been to ensure governance of the District in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations in the best interests of its ratepayers; attend all regular, special and emergency Board and Committee meetings as scheduled; develop the District’s mission, vision; and goals; direct District policies; inform and adopt the District’s master plan, strategic plan and other planning documents; oversee the District’s finances and adopt its budget; appoint and direct the General Manager and General Counsel; and ensure personal compliance with annual Ethics Training (per Assembly Bill 1234) and Leadership Training.
I have a responsibility to be well-read and well prepared for all meetings (Board, training, public) so as to intelligently discuss and represent the District, including making proper motions, seconding motions, debating and voting on matters before the Board; working in concert with the General Manager, the Executive Team, and the General Counsel to respond to inquiries, questions, and/or requests for information; maintaining confidentiality of all privileged information received from the General Manager, General Counsel and any other source.
Priorities
Responsible Fiscal Management. Integridad Fiscal y Responsabilidad.
Reasonable Rates & Fair Labor Contracts. Tasas Razonables y Contratos Laborales Justos.
Implementing Contracting Policies for local hire, training, and suppliers.
Implementación de políticas para la contratación local, formación y uso de proveedores.
Environmental Stewardship. Cuidado del medio ambiente.
Environmental Justice & Improved Public Health. Justicia Ambiental y Mejor Salud Pública.
Maximize Resource Recovery. Reduce Toxic Emissions. Continue Modernizing Infrastructure.
Transparent, Accountable Governance. Gobernanza transparente y responsable.
Continue advocacy to local, state, federal legislators on environmental justice.
Support legislation to improve water, wastewater, resource recovery.
Employee Engagement, Training & Education. Entrenamiento y Educación de los empleados.
Community Outreach, Public Education, Career Programs.
Alcance Comunitario y Educación Pública y Programas profesionales.
Continuing the Work...
In my next term as Director, I will focus on continuing to lead the Board and District leadership teams to drive current strategic plan goals to forward progress and deliver the priorities we designed together (the Board, the staff, the community) including prioritizing equitable investment in communities when making decisions regarding infrastructure, just environmental action, and increasing workforce development opportunities.
My plans align with the current Board-adopted strategic plan to continue improving and modernizing the District’s infrastructure and to promote environmental stewardship throughout the District and our community by maximizing resource recovery, reducing carbon emissions, minimizing our environmental footprint, and making significant strides toward becoming a carbon-neutral enterprise while engaging with our community through awareness efforts to inform and educate about wastewater, water, and community health issues (Goal 1).
I will continue to work with local leaders to enhance the District’s image, continue advocacy to local, state, federal legislators on matters of environmental justice and supporting legislation to improve conditions affecting wastewater and related resource recovery matters (Goal 2, Goal 6). Promoting real-time information across its media platforms, the District can expand its public outreach to more specifically target regions and audiences.
I will also continue to encourage fiscal responsibility and prudent financial policies and practices that support sustainability, integrity, innovation. and responsible resource allocation. Encourage participatory budgeting process (with workforce & public) to underscore accountability and transparency (Goal 3). Emphasize equity in contracts awards; unbundling contracts where practical so local businesses are able to bid on projects within their capacity.
With your partnership, we can keep the momentum going on these and other important initiatives.
Ma Salaama.
CONTACT ME
1191 Solano Ave-#6050, Albany, CA 94706, USA
510.426.5908 | Online: @CSudduth-Politica
Donate. Volunteer. Join the Movement.
WATER IS IMPORTANT
Built Differently.
Success is relative.
“It’s tempting to look at what I’ve done and marvel at the accomplishments. I would rather the focus and amazement be on how many times I’ve fallen and gotten back up; how many times I’ve failed and failed and failed and never quit.” -C. Sudduth
My ‘Buela and Mamí taught us that life is all about perspective and that our reality is shaped by how we choose to view the world.
I remember hearing that a simple shift in view (change how you look at things and what you ‘see’ will change) completely alters how we process information and experiences. They taught me that life is about the ‘try’, about the constant resistance of the urge to quit. That our perspectives and outlooks on life are shaped by our choices, emphasizing our attitudes dictate our perceptions and affect our vision, our expectations, our actions, and results.
They emphasized the importance of recognizing the dignity and humanity of every person - no matter what their socioeconomic status. We come from a family and a culture that just because you have, doesn’t mean your neighbor does, so if your neighbor needs - give, without them having to ask or without them knowing or without you seeking credit for the deed. If your neighbor is afraid to speak up, then you step up and step in and speak up on their behalf. Yet, taking intentional care to not make it about you.
They also taught us that, no matter the challenges, the ugliness, the negativities, the obstacles that life presents - and there were a lot of them - that beauty and greatness can arise from the darkest of places if you focus on the possibilities, the ‘coulds’, and the blessings, rather than the ‘aints’, the ‘nots’, and the ‘cants’.
My ‘Buela, Mamí, Papí, Tías, y Tíos, all held public office and community leadership positions. So, we grew up with a mandate – to whom much is given, much is expected. Public service, participating in community, and giving back was not a luxury, but a requirement. It was steeped in a deep understanding that life is for living but also for giving - to others.
Our family principles centered on leadership, being a Leader, and being a positive example for others: Si puedes verla, puedes ser ella. (If you can see her, you can be her.) I was a Girl Scout from first grade through high school then became a junior leader and ambassador through college. I was a student leader, leader on every athletic team that I participated, and in class government every year through college, before transitioning to community leadership, appointed and elected office starting in graduate school.
I’m built differently. I already knew my calling was to service - even from a young age. Convenience, ease, popularity was never my concern, so those were not the routes I chose. Instead, I opted for the ways that would bring truth and right, relief and equity to the People.
I found my activism wings early. It’s evident in my fearless want to speak truth and seek justice. Not everybody can; not everybody will.
In the 80s, before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was a national holiday, my Mamí called it a school holiday for us. She would write a note to our elementary school and advise that we would not be attending school that day. When the teacher said I did not qualify for the perfect attendance award because I was absent on that day, I protested. My Mamí got involved and they reversed the decision and every year after, until the national holiday was declared in 1986, that absence was excused and we always had perfect attendance and received that certificate.
When we were young, I didn’t think the Pledge of Allegiance represented all of us and that pledging allegiance to a flag seemed contrary to our faith. So, my Mamí never forced us to participate because she agreed that we don’t pledge allegiance to man or objects - only our Creator. I grew up in a military family, so we would stand in respect to the men and women who served the country, yet not hold our hand over the heart or use God’s name in relation to the flag or hold the belief that the United States (or its citizens) deserved more reverence than other countries (or people).
In the mid-1980s, I heard Bishop Desmond Tutu speak about apartheid in South Africa. I was bothered. I was horrified. So, while my classmates were playing games, eating McDonald’s, and drinking Coca-Cola products, I was organising anti-apartheid boycotts on companies like these that did business in South Africa, calling for them to divest and cut ties with South Africa until racial segregation and discrimination ended. After California Congressman Ronald Dellums introduced the Anti-Apartheid Act, our movement exploded amongst other students at other schools and we targeted more companies, as well as our state and local entities.
I also led our student movement for the release of Nelson Mandela, who had been serving over twenty years in prison at the time. In 1990, the hard work of every activist and protestor across the world resulted in his release. He was then elected as South Africa’s first Black head of state and the first person elected in a fully representative democratic election (1994). It was a moment of extreme pride for all of us who fought for justice.
When I was young Girl Scout, I witnessed a horrible accident. Several of us were walking to our troop leader’s house and, as we crossed the street, a driver came speeding through our subdivision entry and one of our friends was hit. She died a short while afterwards. We were all traumatized. The sound of her body hitting the front of his car and being thrown still shudders me nearly fifty years later. I worked with my Mamí, my troop members and their other Moms, to lead an effort to get a stop light installed at the front of the subdivision. I was in first grade. Later, I joined Students Against Drunk Driving (S.A.D.D.) and was a commissioner with the state and governor’s office on safe driving and teen driving. That incident changed my life. It activated my want to make change.
I’m Built Differently though because Service is in my DNA.
I am grateful to represent and reflect our community.
Gracías y Ma Salaama, Dr. Cheryl
