ManagementBoard of Trustees & Management Team

Zach Renstrom is the general manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this capacity, he oversees all operational and financial activities for the district and its employees. Prior to joining the district in 2019, Renstrom served as a Washington County Commissioner, attorney and principal owner at a local engineering firm. He has more than 20 years of experience as an attorney and licensed professional and structural engineer.

Renstrom has specialized in complex litigation on large infrastructure projects and intellectual property rights as an attorney; developed master plans, oversaw projects for the Utah Department of Transportation and served as an expert witness as an engineer; and assisted in leading the county during massive growth while lowering the property tax rate as a county commissioner.

His background gives him insight into the complexities of water treatment and engineering systems, as well as the legal realm of government, contracts, water law and legislation. He is a member of the Utah and Nevada state bars and has served on the following boards: Washington County Flood Control Authority, American Public Works Association, Dixie Transportation Executive Council, Colorado River Water Users Association, St George Area Economic Development Council, National Water Resources Association, Utah Water Finance Agency, Utah Office of Tourism Development and the Tuacahn Center for the Arts. Renstrom is a graduate of the University of Utah and Washburn Law School.

Brock Belnap serves as the associate general manager for administrative services. Prior to joining the district in 2020, Belnap served as the Washington County Attorney from 2003 to 2020. Belnap has served on the Dixie State University Foundation, the Children’s Justice Center Advisory Board, the Washington County Drug Task Force Executive Committee, the Fifth District Victim’s Rights Committee and has been a member of the Utah State Bar since 1991. Belnap graduated from Dixie College, the University of Utah and BYU law school.

Corey Cram is the associate general manager of project development for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. He manages current projects from the preliminary planning phase to construction and operation. Prior to joining the district in 2004, Cram was a hydrogeologist and watershed manager for the State of Pennsylvania. He has a bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University in physical science and geology, a master’s degree in hydrogeology from Pennsylvania State University and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He is a licensed professional geologist.

Brie Thompson is the associate general manager of field operations for Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this capacity, she manages the operations at the district’s water treatment plant, reservoirs, hydropower plants, pipelines, dams and wells. Thompson joined the district in 2006. She’s a licensed professional engineer and certified grade IV water treatment operator in the State of Utah and a member of the American Water Works Association, Utah Water Quality Alliance and Rural Water Association. She has a master’s in business administration from Southern Utah University and a bachelor’s of science in chemical engineering from the University of Utah.

Karry Rathje is the public affairs manager for Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this position, she manages all outreach activities with the media, elected officials and general public. Rathje has more than two decades of industry experience. Prior to joining the district in 2013, she worked for a Las Vegas-based public relations and government affairs agency. Rathje serves as the Utah representative on the Colorado River Water Users Association Public Affairs Committee and is a member of the Utah Governor’s Water Conservation Team. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications with a special emphasis in public relations from Brigham Young University.

Jodi Richins serves as general counsel for Washington County Water Conservancy District, providing legal counsel and oversight of legal affairs for the district. Prior to joining the district in 2016, Richins worked as a deputy county attorney in Washington County from 2012 to 2016, and a judicial law clerk for Utah’s Fourth District Court from 2011 to 2012. She has been a member of the Utah State Bar since 2011. Richins is a graduate of Southern Utah University and BYU law school.

David Jessop is the operations manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this capacity, he oversees the operation of reservoirs, pipelines, pump stations, hydropower plants and water treatment plants. Jessop has more than a decade of experience in water system management, structural steel and administration. He is responsible for day-to-day decisions affecting water diversions, pumping and storage. He is a level IV Water Treatment Plant Operator and Water Distribution System and serves as the Virgin River Commissioner.

Morgan Drake is the reuse program manager for Washington County Water Conservancy District. She oversees planning, permitting and implementation of the Regional Reuse System. Prior to joining the district in 2019, she clerked with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division. She is a member of the Colorado River Water Users Association Resolutions Committee, Western Urban Water Coalition Legal Committee and Utah State Bar. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Suffolk University and a Juris Doctor degree from Brigham Young University.

Doug Bennett is the conservation manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. He oversees development and implementation of the district’s conservation policies and programs. He has more than 28 years experience in successful water conservation at three western water agencies and broad experience in landscape management in desert climates. He is a nationally recognized leader in his profession, accruing more than a dozen awards for his work. He has worked on projects for the Water Reuse Foundation, the Water Research Foundation, the US EPA WaterSense Program, the US Green Building Council and the American Water Works Association. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a master’s degree in business management from New Mexico State University.

Melanie Hansen is the office manager and impact fee administrator for Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this position, she oversees the daily operation of the office building, reviews and prepares documents related to impact fees, and oversees the hiring, training and mentoring of administrative employees. Hansen joined the district in 2002 and has more than 30 years of experience in customer service and an associate degree from Utah Tech University.

George Elliott is a project manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. With nearly a decade of engineering experience, Elliott specializes in constructing and operating water-related infrastructure. In addition, he has experience in drafting and design, hydroelectric development, hydrology, feasibility studies, contract evaluation and compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Elliott received his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Utah. He is a current member of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials and a licensed professional engineer in Utah.

Trinity Stout is a project manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District, helping to manage projects through the planning, design and construction phases. Prior to joining the district in 2021, Stout was a professional engineer at Alpha Engineering. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Utah State University. He is a licensed professional engineer in Utah and Nevada.

Randy Johnson joined the Washington County Water Conservancy District as a project manager in 2017. In this position, he manages the planning, design and construction of water infrastructure projects including treatment plants, pipelines, water tanks and wells. Johnson is a certified level 4 water operator in both distribution and treatment, and he has a bachelor’s degree in civil and architectural design from Southern Utah University.

Anthony Jones serves as a project manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District. In this position, he coordinates and facilitates new water supply projects to serve the district’s expanding customer base. Prior to becoming a project manager, Jones served as a field operator where he gained expertise on the district’s expansive water supply system. Jones also has more than a decade of experience in the construction industry, having owned and operated a Southern Utah-based construction business before joining the district’s team. He has a degree in agricultural business from Utah State University’s College of Applied Economics.