Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group Board of Directors
Jim Busher
Vice President
First elected: 2006
Current term expires: 2012
Re-elected for a third term in January 2010.
Mr. Busher is an entrepreneur and team leader for several projects. He is the co-creator of Androgiennei & A. Meliora Ranch, which offers equine assisted learning therapies to veterans and “at risk” youth; while also working with his wife, Ajen, in the development of a horticultural based self-therapy program. He has worked closely with the Cal-Trans Highway Clean-Up Program and is the owner of RPA Trucking, a freight delivery service company serving Northern California.
Mr. Busher holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology-Sustainability from Northern Arizona University and has worked closely with the American Indian Vietnam Veterans Project (AIVVP) and structured interviews with Navajo Vietnam Veterans for PTSD Studies. Possessing more than thirty years of experience in the Emergency Services and disaster response fields, Mr. Busher has gained a substantial background in disaster management. He co-founded, developed and maintained many Air/Med-Evac and EMT programs in the Hopi Nation, Fiji Islands and parts of Northern California.
While working with the United States Forest Service, Mr. Busher created a special service transportation company, Del Norte Transportation Services (DNTS) and collaborated with Type I, II, III Fire Suppression Management Teams having extensive ICS experience. Mr. Busher also worked with the United Nations World Youth Assembly in New York City, and the United Nations Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary services in Paris, France. During this time he served as administrative liaison for funding sources and established a relationship for Eastern European conference coordinating counterparts.
Today, Mr. Busher seeks to collaborate with others in efforts to educate and improve actions on ecological and socio-economic issues locally and beyond. He sees the gathering storm of water issues as an increasing threat to the well- being of community stability in the coming years. Thus, he is committed to proactive watershed management to preserve the water resources of his own community for the posterity who will inherit the resource.
Vice President
First elected: 2006
Current term expires: 2012
Re-elected for a third term in January 2010.
Mr. Busher is an entrepreneur and team leader for several projects. He is the co-creator of Androgiennei & A. Meliora Ranch, which offers equine assisted learning therapies to veterans and “at risk” youth; while also working with his wife, Ajen, in the development of a horticultural based self-therapy program. He has worked closely with the Cal-Trans Highway Clean-Up Program and is the owner of RPA Trucking, a freight delivery service company serving Northern California.
Mr. Busher holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology-Sustainability from Northern Arizona University and has worked closely with the American Indian Vietnam Veterans Project (AIVVP) and structured interviews with Navajo Vietnam Veterans for PTSD Studies. Possessing more than thirty years of experience in the Emergency Services and disaster response fields, Mr. Busher has gained a substantial background in disaster management. He co-founded, developed and maintained many Air/Med-Evac and EMT programs in the Hopi Nation, Fiji Islands and parts of Northern California.
While working with the United States Forest Service, Mr. Busher created a special service transportation company, Del Norte Transportation Services (DNTS) and collaborated with Type I, II, III Fire Suppression Management Teams having extensive ICS experience. Mr. Busher also worked with the United Nations World Youth Assembly in New York City, and the United Nations Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary services in Paris, France. During this time he served as administrative liaison for funding sources and established a relationship for Eastern European conference coordinating counterparts.
Today, Mr. Busher seeks to collaborate with others in efforts to educate and improve actions on ecological and socio-economic issues locally and beyond. He sees the gathering storm of water issues as an increasing threat to the well- being of community stability in the coming years. Thus, he is committed to proactive watershed management to preserve the water resources of his own community for the posterity who will inherit the resource.
Judy Huddleston
Treasurer
First Appointed: 2009
Current term expires: 2011
Appointed to fill a vacant seat on the board of directors in 2009, currently serving her first term.
Drawing on over 20 years experience in Office Management, Accounting and Payroll, Ms. Huddleston acts as Treasurer for CCWG. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Business from San Mateo Junior College. For ten years Ms. Huddleston acted as sole owner of Barcaglia Trucking, Inc., a cement hauling business which operated in Northern California and Western Nevada.
As a business owner she participated in the California Trucking Association, working with lobbyists assisting other truck ownersto promote leadership in the California motor carrier industry, advocating sound transportation policies to all levels of government. She also helped organize and also participated in the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference for several years.
While serving in the various accounting and financial positions, she has worked with others in constructing and implementing finance-related policies and procedures. Also working to oversee the monthly receipt and disbursement of funds, our relationship with the outside accounting firms and monthly financial statements.
As Treasurer, Ms. Huddleston works closely with the Executive Director in order to maintain and assure sound financial management of CCWG. She is working to streamline internal accounting procedures, being fiscally conservative, while fully supporting the CCWG mission.
Treasurer
First Appointed: 2009
Current term expires: 2011
Appointed to fill a vacant seat on the board of directors in 2009, currently serving her first term.
Drawing on over 20 years experience in Office Management, Accounting and Payroll, Ms. Huddleston acts as Treasurer for CCWG. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Business from San Mateo Junior College. For ten years Ms. Huddleston acted as sole owner of Barcaglia Trucking, Inc., a cement hauling business which operated in Northern California and Western Nevada.
As a business owner she participated in the California Trucking Association, working with lobbyists assisting other truck ownersto promote leadership in the California motor carrier industry, advocating sound transportation policies to all levels of government. She also helped organize and also participated in the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference for several years.
While serving in the various accounting and financial positions, she has worked with others in constructing and implementing finance-related policies and procedures. Also working to oversee the monthly receipt and disbursement of funds, our relationship with the outside accounting firms and monthly financial statements.
As Treasurer, Ms. Huddleston works closely with the Executive Director in order to maintain and assure sound financial management of CCWG. She is working to streamline internal accounting procedures, being fiscally conservative, while fully supporting the CCWG mission.
Rick Ortega
Director
First Appointed: 2010
Current term expires: 2012
Appointed to fill a vacant seat on the board of directors in 2010, currently serving his first term.
Mr. Ortega is an ambitious, results oriented individual who is eager to contribute to the community. He possesses a unique background with respect to the areas of business development, medical care, airport management and development, agriculture and ranching.
Mr. Ortega is retired from the U.S. Army and served as both a Commissioned Officer and NCO during his 30 year military career. He speaks fluent Spanish had was trained as a Foreign Area Officer by the U.S. Army and has worked closely with U.S. Embassies and various Latin American Armies.
He holds a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration from California State University at Long Beach and additionally holds a Paralegal Certificate from Cerritos College. He has managed three separate law offices engaged in California Labor Law Practice. Mr. Ortega continues to make appearances throughout the State of California representing these interests in both Probate and Civil courts as well as before the Compensation Appeals Board.
Mr. Ortega currently serves as the Vice President of the Quailridge Homeowners Association #2 and volunteers his time with Angel Flight as a Pilot. Angel Flight is a non-profit organization that arranges free, non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions. He is a member of the Elks Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Director
First Appointed: 2010
Current term expires: 2012
Appointed to fill a vacant seat on the board of directors in 2010, currently serving his first term.
Mr. Ortega is an ambitious, results oriented individual who is eager to contribute to the community. He possesses a unique background with respect to the areas of business development, medical care, airport management and development, agriculture and ranching.
Mr. Ortega is retired from the U.S. Army and served as both a Commissioned Officer and NCO during his 30 year military career. He speaks fluent Spanish had was trained as a Foreign Area Officer by the U.S. Army and has worked closely with U.S. Embassies and various Latin American Armies.
He holds a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration from California State University at Long Beach and additionally holds a Paralegal Certificate from Cerritos College. He has managed three separate law offices engaged in California Labor Law Practice. Mr. Ortega continues to make appearances throughout the State of California representing these interests in both Probate and Civil courts as well as before the Compensation Appeals Board.
Mr. Ortega currently serves as the Vice President of the Quailridge Homeowners Association #2 and volunteers his time with Angel Flight as a Pilot. Angel Flight is a non-profit organization that arranges free, non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions. He is a member of the Elks Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Standing Committees of the Board of Directors
Nominating Committee
Employee Committee
Sustainability Committee
Finance Committee
Employee Committee
Sustainability Committee
Finance Committee
If you are interested in becoming involved as a member of our Board of Directors please download our the CCWG Board of Directors Application and return it to our office for consideration.
