Investing in Your Organization Through Education, Communication, and Development

Karla Romero Related Seminars and Products

Director of Finance

Coachella Valley Water District

Karla Romero is the Director of Finance for the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD).  Karla previously served as the Finance Director/City Treasurer for the cities of La Quinta and Brawley and began her career at the City of Indio.  She serves on several CSMFO Committees and is the 2025 CSMFO President-Elect.  Karla has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business administration.  She enjoys learning, seeing others succeed, and is passionate about mentoring and sharing knowledge.  In her free time, she enjoys reliving her childhood with an active son named Titus, traveling, and staying connected with family and friends.  

Samantha Lopez Related Seminars and Products

Controller

Coachella Valley Water District

Samantha Lopez is the Controller at Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), bringing 19 years of diverse experience in private and public finance.  She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration with a focus on accounting.  Samantha’s expertise includes processing and supervising financial transactions across accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger accounting.  She has also spearheaded internal control assessments, regulatory compliance initiatives, and financial system upgrades.  Her extensive background equips her with the skills to effectively manage and optimize financial operations in complex and changing environments. 

Jose Villalobos Related Seminars and Products

Accountant

Coachella Valley Water District

Jose Villalobos was born and raised in the Coachella Valley, and he has always been passionate about contributing to his community.  With a B.A. in Business Administration with an Accounting Concentration from California State University, San Bernardino, it was always his lifelong goal to work for Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) where he currently holds an Accountant role.  He specializes in financial analysis, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.  With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy, he supports the district’s financial health and sustainability.  His role involves preparing financial reports, managing accounts, and providing insights to optimize financial performance.  He has used his experience gained in the payroll department to help steer the current ERP implementation both in the payroll & HR areas.  His goal is to continue growing within CVWD and deliver exceptional service to customers and colleagues, and applying his skills and knowledge to better his community. 

Laura M. Nomura Related Seminars and Products

Deputy General Manager

Retired

Laura Nomura is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of experience in the public and private sectors.  She is passionate about mentoring and training local government professionals and is considered an expert in Organization and Leadership Development.  Laura recently retired from Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD), a recognized leader in the water industry, as the Deputy General Manager overseeing all administrative functions including finance, human resources, information systems, and customer service.  Prior to joining EMWD, Laura served as the Assistant General Manager for Finance & Administration at Riverside Public Utilities (RPU).  Before serving in her role at RPU, she served as the Finance Director for the California cities of Hemet and Irwindale and Controller for the City of Riverside.   

Laura is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a BA degree in accounting from California State University, Fullerton, and an MS degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Redlands.  She is actively involved in the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers Association (CSMFO), served as past president and board member and received their Distinguished Service Award.  She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Women in Water, Energy and Environment (AWWEE).  She volunteers as a mentor for both the CSMFO and AWWEE mentoring programs.