Erik Christeson, General Manager
Mr. Christeson holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University, a Bachelor’s degree in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego and is a California licensed Professional Engineer. During his more than 20 year career, Mr. Christeson has worked extensively with regulators, state and local government agencies, both in the private and public sectors. Mr. Christeson also served as Planning Commissioner and on the Tri-County Technical Advisory Committee for Amador County from 2004-2006.
Rick Ansel, Assistant General Manager
Rick Ansel has been working for the District since 2006 and was with Kirkwood Mountain Resort for 6 years prior to that. He lives in Gardnerville with his wife Marcie.
Jessica Austin, Clerk of the Board, Customer Service
Jessica Austin started in October of 2015 and will be assisting with both Customer Service and Accounts Payable. Jessica grew up in Santa Cruz, CA but has lived on and off in the Sierras for many years. She recently worked for the KCA and brings to the District her knowledge of Kirkwood and our customers. Jessica and her husband live in Woodfords and love outdoors, and hiking with their 3 dogs Woka, Bear, and Goldilocks.
Ed Benson, Propane Operator
Certifications: 4.2 Vapor Distribution System Installation, Fusion Instruction, Propane Dispenser Operator Training, Airgas SAFE
Ed has been a Kirkwood powerhouse operator since 2001, and currently works the swing shift. He is responsible for routine maintenance of the CAT and Volvo generators, and is also our main propane technician. Ed is a full-time Kirkwood resident who enjoys snowboarding and is a new Dad to daughter Hazel.
Kathy Beyer, Accounts Receivable, Customer Service
Kathy Bayer works in the front office for the District where she mainly handles Accounts Receivables & Customer Service. Kathy has been working for the District since August 2011. Previously, Kathy was a Special Education Teacher in San Diego for 7 years and also worked for Kirkwood Mountain Resort in The Lodge for a year before she started to work for the District.
Derek Dornbrook – Superintendent Wastewater Treatment Plant
Certifications: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade IV, Water Distribution Operator Grade III, Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade I, Vector Control Technician Categories A and B
Derek Dornbrook began working in the District’s Water and Wastewater Plant in 2002. Derek grew up in western Montana and graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. In 2010, Derek was promoted to Superintendent of the WWTP. Derek is an avid San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants fan and visits the Bay Area whenever he gets a chance.
Brandi Benson, Electric/Propane Manager
Certifications: Airgas SAFE, Eas Y gen-3000 Genset and LS-5 Breaker Control Training, Fusion Instruction
Brandi is our Electric/Propane Manager who joined the KMPUD in February of 2012. Brandi is a Mississippi native who moved to Kirkwood in 2005 and previously worked for Mountain Utilities. Brandi is a homeowner in Kirkwood and is mom to daughter Hazel.
Dan Fine, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
Certifications: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade II, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I
Dan Fine was born and raised in Sutter Creek, CA. He went to Amador High School and worked with his Dad in the tree service/land clearing business before coming to Kirkwood. Dan bought his first season pass to Kirkwood in 1999 and began working for KMR during the 2007/08 season in the Snow Making/Snow Removal department. Dan began working for the KMPUD in 2008 doing Snow Removal and then became a full-time employee in the Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2011. Dan spends his free time snowboarding, playing disk golf and 4-Wheeling.
Sean Kennedy, Powerhouse Operator
Certifications: Airgas SAFE
Sean Kennedy has been at the powerhouse since September 2012. A long time Kirkwood resident, Sean spends his weekends snowboarding and visiting family.
Kelly McBride, Accounting Manager
Kelly McBride has been working for the District since June 2012 and has recently been promoted to the Accounting Manager position. She is responsible for monthly financials, monthly billing and office administration. Kelly has been living in Kirkwood since 2008. Prior to working for the District, Kelly worked for Kirkwood Mountian Resort for 4 years in the accounting department and before that was the Office Manager for a Diagnostic Medical Office in Florida for 7 years.
Steve Neff, Powerhouse Operator
Certifications: Airgas SAFE, Fusion Instruction, Propane Dispenser Operator Training
Steve Neff is a journeyman electrician who started working at the powerhouse in 2009. He is a day-shift powerhouse operator and Electric Distribution System Supervisor. Steve is an avid softball fan and enjoys coaching his daughter’s summer team in Gardnerville, NV.
Kimberly Norton, Staff Accountant/H.R. Representative
Kimberly Norton joined the District in September of 2015 as a Staff Accountant. Kim is originally from Alameda, CA and has lived in South Lake Tahoe since 2001. She recently worked for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency in the accounting department. She is an avid outdoorswoman and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and cross country skiing.
Joe Pellerin, Snow Removal Supervisor
Joe Pellerin was raised in Livermore, California and came to Kirkwood in 1999 working in Parking and as a Mechanic for the Resort. Joe began working for the District in 2005 as the seasonal Snow Removal Supervisor and in 2012 became the Supervisor of Snow Removal and a year-round employee.
Amie Pfeiffer, Staff Accountant
Amie Pfeiffer has been working as an Administrative Assistant for the District since October 2011. Amie was recently promoted to Staff Accountant and is responsible for Accounts Payable and various other duties including monthly meter reads, billing, and accounting. Amie comes from an extensive electrical background, performing administrative and warehouse work for a long established Bay Area commercial electrical contracting company for 10 years.
Michael Sharp has been working for the District since 1996 and was with Kirkwood Mountain Resort for years before that serving in their Property Management division. Michael and his wife Kathy moved from Kirkwood in 1994 and now call South Lake Tahoe their home.
Drew Meteer, IT Representative, Customer Service
Drew Meteer was raised in Ohio and Florida and came to South Lake Tahoe in 1995. He has been in Kirkwood since 2006 and began working for the District in 2007 . Drew spends his time fishing, riding dirt bikes, camping, and snowboarding.
Shawn Trevett, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Fire Chief
Certifications: Water Distribution Operator Grade II; Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I, Water Treatment T-1, CA State Firefighter I, EMT I
Shawn Trevett grew up in Salinas, CA and moved to Kirkwood in 2005 where he began working for the KCA. He began working full-time for the KMPUD Wastewater Treatment Plant in October of 2011. Shawn also works as a Volunteer with the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department serving as the Fire Chief. In his free time, Shawn likes to fish, bike and snowboard.
David Waddle, Field Operations Manager
David Waddle was raised in Coffeeville, Kansas, moved with his family to South Lake Tahoe in 1985 and began working in the Kirkwood area shortly thereafter. David has been with the District since 2002 where he worked in the Wastewater division and then ultimately became the District’s Snow Removal Manager. In July of 2012 David was promoted to Field Operations Manager.
Greg Wallace, Snow Removal
Greg Wallace was raised in Prunedale, California and came to Kirkwood in 2004 where he worked in the Resort’s Facilities Department. Greg came to work for the District in 2009 and is now working full time in the Snow Removal Department. Greg welcomed his daughter, Eleanor, into the world in October 2012.
Spencer Patterson, Field Operations, EMS Firefighter, Snow Removal
Certifications: Firefighter I
Spencer was born in Lancaster, CA and then later raised in Amador County. Spencer started working for Kirkwood Ski Resort during the 2013/14 winter season in the Snowmaking and Snow Removal Departments. Spencer then came to work for the District in 2014/15 for the Snow Removal Department and Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department. In April 2017, Spencer became a full time employee of the District as a Field Operator. Spencer’s hobbies include fishing, riding dirt bikes, and spending time with family and friends.
Updated October 17, 2017