Frank Toriello, President

Retired Machinist and Woodworker

"The genesis of my current activism and participation in W.A.T.E.R. sprang from my outrage at the 2000 election combined with my anti-war beliefs that resurfaced from this country’s response to 9/11.  The disingenuous actions of corporations and governments that W.A.T.E.R.’s work has revealed have been greatly motivating and, along with the solidarity and growing friendships in W.A.T.E.R., keep me committed to our endeavor."

Geneva M. Omann, Ph.D. (Biochemistry), Secretary

Retired, formerly on Faculty at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Departments of Surgery and Biological Chemistry

“I believe that grass roots efforts are the only thing that will bring positive change.  I am deeply inspired by the dedicated and talented people in the W.A.T.E.R. core leadership team and others who work with and support us.”

Board of Directors

Bruce Hillman, Treasurer

Retired Printing Industry Worker  

“Since my college days I have been active in movements for economic, racial and environmental justice.  In 2013 I heard of Crystal Geyser’s plan to open a plant with no environmental review required, and realized that this issue was where 'local meets global.'  I could not ignore the effects of this plant on the water, air, plastic pollution, and global warming. We then organized the W.A.T.E.R. group to take on these issues.”

Daniel Axelrod, Ph.D. (Physics), Member

Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Michigan

“My political perspective is the glue that holds together and sustains all the political work in which I have been involved over many decades. This fundamental problem of private corporate power, of course, goes far beyond any local issues in the rural Mt. Shasta area.  But even our small region sees the shadow of a system based on concentrated private wealth, in the form of a multinational pharmaceutical company trying to privatize water resources here without regard to environmental or community concerns.”

Former Board Members

Roslyn McCoy

Roslyn McCoy was a founding member of W.A.T.E.R. and Treasurer of the Board from the day of our incorporation through 2019.  As Treasurer, she set up and maintained the financial records and oversaw fiscal matters.  As an astute resident of Mt. Shasta she brought insight into City and County affairs and

Brian Stewart

Brian Stewart was a founding member of W.A.T.E.R. and officially joined the board of Directors in June of 2015.  As a construction contractor and member of the McCloud community, Brian brought expertise on local ordinances and building regulations and current and historical knowledge of the water

contributed many comments at many City and County hearings and meetings.  Her document research skills and insightful analyses of City and County ordinances and regulations have been instrumental in furthering our mission.

issues in McCloud.  Brian resigned from the board in December of 2015 because of his busy work schedule.  He remained a strong supporter of W.A.T.E.R.’s work until his untimely death in March of 2020.

Raven Stevens

Raven Stevens was a founding member of W.A.T.E.R. and served as the liaison for the Gateway Neighborhood, the residential area surrounding the Crystal Geyser Water Company properties.  She officially joined the Board of Directors In April of 2018.  In addition to her many contributions to W.A.T.E.R.’s work,  

she initiated an on-going groundwater elevation study in the area surrounding the Crystal Geyser Water Company site, and  spearheaded the installation of a water bottle refill station in downtown Mt. Shasta City’s Parker Plaza.  She stepped down from the Board on July 1, 2022.

Diane Lowe

Diane Lowe was a founding member of W.A.T.E.R. and had previously worked on the successful campaign (2003-2009) in McCloud to turn away the Nestle Corporation when they wanted to build one of the world’s largest water bottling plants using water from the McCloud Community Service District’s springs.  She brought

to the W.A.T.E.R. team the lessons learned from the Nestle days, and as a McCloud resident continued to keep us informed of and engaged in thwarting the subsequent efforts by additional corporations to exploit water resources crucial for the ecology of the McCloud River.  She officially served on the W.A.T.E.R. Board of Directors from January 2019 through May 2022.

Mark Kennedy, Member

Local Business Owner

As a youth, my time in the forest led me to become an environmentalist. I had the opportunity to explore nature and learn about the land, sky and water. At Humboldt State University, I received a BS in Natural Resource Planning, with an emphasis in Appropriate Technology and Environmental Ethics. After almost 20 years of creating environmental programs for government and business, I moved up to Mt Shasta and started my own business. Last year, I had an epiphany that water is sacred and I wanted to help protect and honor it. I feel honored to be on the Board of W.A.T.E.R. and I look forward to working with the community on the important role water plays in our lives.