CMUA Names Deputy Executive Director, Announces Two Other Staff Promotions
Monday, March 2, 2020
Section: CMUA News




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matt Williams, CMUA Communications Director, mwilliams@cmua.org, (916) 326-5805


(Sacramento, Calif., March 2, 2020) — The California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) has promoted three of its staff members to positions of greater responsibility in recognition of their excellent performance and service to the association and its members.

Danielle Blacet-Hyden has been promoted to the new position of CMUA Deputy Executive Director. In this expanded role, Danielle will continue to lead CMUA's water advocacy team. She now also will be responsible for the implementation of CMUA's strategic plan, with a focus on establishing and holding the organization responsible for accomplishing important tasks across the association that take CMUA to new levels.

Since joining CMUA in 2014 as the association's Director for Water, Danielle has been instrumental in elevating and growing CMUA's water advocacy program. Under her stewardship, CMUA has greatly improved the profile and effectiveness of its advocacy at the State Capitol and with regulatory agencies. Danielle also spearheaded efforts to increase water agency membership, which has resulted in the addition of 16 new CMUA members since 2014. As part of that effort, she designed a new dues structure for water members to help ensure CMUA's continued effectiveness. Danielle is CMUA's lead staff member on four co-sponsored bills in 2020; She also had four sponsored or co-sponsored bills in 2019.

Matt Williams has been promoted to Director of Communications. Since joining CMUA in 2017, Matt has worked diligently to implement several projects that are reinvigorating and expanding the association's brand, including new communications products for CMUA members and the California water and energy audience. In 2018, Matt managed the launch of the association's California Water & Power magazine and the weekly e-newsletter, CMUA News & Views -- both quickly became popular and valuable for members and stakeholders. His other noteworthy accomplishments include the redesign and modernization of CMUA's logo and the production of educational materials that describe CMUA's value and the benefits of publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies. Matt also is responsible for managing CMUA's social media and content on the relaunched cmua.org website.

Jonathan Young has been promoted to Senior Regulatory Advocate. Since joining CMUA in 2017, Jonathan has significantly increased CMUA's profile on state regulatory matters and improved the association's engagement in regulatory proceedings at both the state and federal levels. He also created and is lead staff for CMUA's member-led Environmental Justice Working Group, helping to build bridges among key stakeholders. His efforts have been instrumental in bringing more water agencies into CMUA membership. Jonathan has greatly improved CMUA's communication to members on regulatory affairs through weekly Regulatory Update emails and new quarterly reports.

“While I’m proud of Danielle, Matt and Jonathan for their accomplishments,” said Barry Moline, CMUA executive director, “I’m gratified by their member focus, collaboration, and high-level responsiveness. Each makes CMUA better and I’m eager for them to take the association to new levels.”

 
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The California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) represents 71 publicly owned electric utilities and water agencies statewide. Together, CMUA members provide water service to 70 percent of Californians and electric service to 25 percent of the state. For more information, visit https://www.cmua.org