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For Immediate Release
May 11, 2011
Contact: Rick Cole, 805-658-7740
Jenny Roney 805-654-7852

City of Ventura Announces Ventura Water General Manager

The new Ventura Water department has its first General Manager.  Ventura City Manager Rick Cole announced today that Shana Epstein has been hired as the new Ventura Water General Manager.  Epstein recently served as Environmental Utilities Manager for the City of Beverly Hills and was selected through an open recruitment process.

Ventura Water has been organized from the former Water and Wastewater divisions of the City's Public Works Department and will eventually include stormwater operations as well.  The new department accounts for more than $40 million in annual revenue and employs nearly 100 staff members serving more than 40,000 customers.

"Shana offers both operational experience and big picture understanding of Ventura's goal of remaining self-sufficient in water through environmental leadership," said City Manager Rick Cole.  "She's been the very first person to hold the job in three out of her last four positions.  She's a pioneer with a great track record and we have a great opportunity to better serve our customers with the new Ventura Water operation she'll be leading."

After a national search that yielded more than 90 applicants, Epstein was one of two finalists interviewed by a panel of City directors and environmental and business leaders, including the Ventura Chamber of Commerce and the Surfrider Foundation Ventura County Chapter.

During her tenure at the city of Beverly Hills, she led a staff of more than 70 employees and was responsible for providing water, wastewater, solid waste and storm water services. Prior to taking the position in Beverly Hills, Epstein served in the public utilities department for the City of Anaheim. Epstein holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from George Washington University and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.

For more information, please contact City Manager Rick Cole at 805-658-7740.

This release can be found on the City of Ventura's website at www.cityofventura.net. ###