Board Members

Mark Coats
Board President

Highlands Mutual Water Company Board of Directors President Mark Coats is a retired contractor and volunteer assistant fire chief.

Mark leads the Board with the goal of continuing to supply reliable, safe water to Highlands’ shareholders at the lowest rate possible. With a deep understanding of, and interest in, both construction and fire safety, Marks brings his professional experience to benefit Highlands’ shareholders and employees.

The father of two and the grandfather of two, he enjoys traveling and camping. He is a member of the Elks Lodge.

Robert Kraft
Vice President

Highlands Mutual Water Company Board of Directors Vice President Robert Kraft has served on the Board for more than 15 years. Robert has owned a muffler and auto shop for about 30 years and is a well-known and well-liked member of the community.

Robert aims to help make decisions that improve Highlands, benefit its shareholders and ensure that its employees are safe and treated well. He makes it a priority to listen to and understand employees’ concerns and suggestions and support their goals.

A Lake County resident since 1956, Robert graduated from Lower Lake High School in 1973 and joined the U.S. Navy as an equipment operator in the Navy Construction Battalion, better known as Seabees. Robert enjoys car races, spending time with his family and being a support to his community — whether it’s lending an ear or fixing their cars.

Jessica Chernoh
Secretary

Highlands Mutual Water Company Board of Directors Secretary Jessica Chernoh is a dedicated 5 th generation Lake County resident and a long-time business owner and volunteer in the community. For more than 25 years, she and her husband, Josh, have owned Chernoh Excavating, Inc., where she handles operations including office duties, payroll and human resources.

Water supply is important to everyone and, as such, the process of bringing safe, reliable and affordable water to people is one that deeply interests Jessica. She is committed to working on behalf of shareholders to ensure Highlands is providing the service it promises, and she appreciates the opportunity to represent shareholders on the Board.

A mother of three, Jessica has volunteered much of her time to community organizations that include the Lower Lake Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, the Lower Lake High
School Site Council, the Lower Lake Sober Grad Committee and the Lower Lake Community Action Group and Scholarship committees.

Kathryn Davis
Treasurer

Highlands Mutual Water Company Board of Directors Treasurer Kathryn Davis joined the Board in 2012. A branch manager and senior escrow officer at First American Title, where she has worked for about 30 years, Kathryn has deep roots in the community and a family history in
water.

When she was young, her mother worked as an office manager at Cal Cities Water, which is now Golden State Water. Her father owned his own backhoe service and worked with local water companies in the area. During summers, Kathryn worked with her father installing sewer and water lines. Her interest in water led her to take water treatment classes in the mid-1980s
and earn a T2 Water Treatment License.

As a Highlands Board member, Kathryn supports the Company’s vision, mission and goals and works to represent and protect shareholders’ interests. She focuses on collaborating with her
colleagues and Highland management to ensure that the Company continues to provide safe, reliable and affordable water.

Kathryn, who has three grandchildren, is or has been a member of the Lake County Board of Realtors, the Clearlake Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club of Clearlake and the Clearlake Planning Commission.

Rachelle Sapeta
Member

Highlands Mutual Water Company Board of Directors Member Rachelle Sapeta is a long-time Lake County resident and works in the Adventist Health Clear Lake Emergency Department assisting doctors with patient care.

Rachelle takes a vested interest in Highlands and its many complex systems that must work together to ensure a safe, reliable and affordable water supply. She has enjoyed learning about all the important pieces that go into running such an efficient water system and being a part of the team representing shareholders. As a Board member, Rachelle prioritizes supporting Highlands’ daily operations and working to ensure improvements are completed in a timely manner.

A Lake County resident for more than 30 years and a Clearlake resident for 25 years, the mother of four has dedicated much of her time to volunteering for various organizations. They include the Lower Lake Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, the Lower Lake Community
Action Group and the Lower Lake High School Sober Grad Committee. Outside of work, she enjoys water sports, snow skiing, gardening and all things do-it-yourself.

 

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