Keynote Speaker
David Skuodas
P.E., CFM, LEED AP
David Skuodas is an infrastructure leader, educator and communicator who has spent the last 25 years working to improve the way we design, construct, maintain and advocate for smarter waterway infrastructure and more flood-resilient communities. As Director of Education and Outreach at the Mile High Flood District, he leads efforts to inform the public, policymakers, and practitioners on nature-based design, effective project delivery, and sound floodplain management. Before his new role in education and outreach, David was the Director of Design, Construction, and Maintenance, where he oversaw $100 million in urban waterway projects.
David’s presentation will share the Mile High Flood District’s evolving approach to nature-based waterway design. Drawing on over a decade of experimentation, he will highlight how integrating geomorphology, vegetation, and community values into flood protection strategies can lead to more resilient and cost-effective outcomes. The presentation includes numerous project examples to illustrate the benefits and challenges of this integrated design philosophy, highlighting the long-term cost savings and increased community value of nature-based solutions while at the same time acknowledging the special role of context.
P.E., CFM, LEED AP
David Skuodas is an infrastructure leader, educator and communicator who has spent the last 25 years working to improve the way we design, construct, maintain and advocate for smarter waterway infrastructure and more flood-resilient communities. As Director of Education and Outreach at the Mile High Flood District, he leads efforts to inform the public, policymakers, and practitioners on nature-based design, effective project delivery, and sound floodplain management. Before his new role in education and outreach, David was the Director of Design, Construction, and Maintenance, where he oversaw $100 million in urban waterway projects.
David’s presentation will share the Mile High Flood District’s evolving approach to nature-based waterway design. Drawing on over a decade of experimentation, he will highlight how integrating geomorphology, vegetation, and community values into flood protection strategies can lead to more resilient and cost-effective outcomes. The presentation includes numerous project examples to illustrate the benefits and challenges of this integrated design philosophy, highlighting the long-term cost savings and increased community value of nature-based solutions while at the same time acknowledging the special role of context.
Speakers
Following lunch, Mr. Skuodas will be joined by a panel of esteemed experts on flood control and floodplain management and ecosystem restoration in California. Providing their unique local and state perspectives, panelists will dive deeper into the topic of enhancing community and public values in nature-based infrastructure that can also deliver greater resilience and cost-effectiveness through innovative design, strategies, and practices. They will discuss how the lessons that Mile High Flood District learned over the past decade could be applied here in the Golden State and our Central Valley. Speakers will discuss the current opportunities and challenges that flood control operators are confronting today and can anticipate in California.
Chuck Bonham
Director
california department of fish and wildlife
cHARLTON "cHUCK" BONHAM has served as the DIRECTOR OF the CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE since 2011. before HIS APPOINTMENT, MR. BONHAM led several ROLES at TROUT UNLIMITED, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA DIRECTOR.
MR. BONHAM ALSO SERVED ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DELTA CONSERVANCY,
MR. BONHAM RECEIVED HIS J.D. AND environmentAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW CERTIFICATE FROM THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF LAW OF LEWIS AND CLARK COLLEGE IN PORTLAND, OREGON. BEFORE TROUT UNLIMITED, HE WAS A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER IN SENEGAL, WEST AFRICA, AND AN INSTRUCTOR AND GUIDE AT THE NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER, IN BRYSON CITY, N.C.
Brian Johnson
Board member
central valley flood protection board
gOVERNOR NEWSOM APPOINTED BRIAN J. JOHNSON TO THE CENTRAL VALLEY FLOOD PROTECTION BOARD (CVFPB) IN JANUARY 2020. BRIAN previously served as THE california state DIRECTOR and california water program director AT TROUT UNLIMITED, THE NATION'S OLDEST AND LARGEST COLDWATER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION. BRIAN WORKED FOR FIVE YEARS AS AN ATTORNEY AT THE PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM SHUTE, MIHALY & wEINBERGER. HE REPRESENTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, TRIBES, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO PROTECT WATERWAYS, ADVISING CLIENTS ON NATURAL RESOURCE AND LAND USE LAW, PERMITTING AND CEQA, COMPLEX NEGOTIATIONS, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL LAW.
Eric Nagy, PE
PRINCIPAL
LARSEN, WURZEL AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
SINCE 1997, ERIC NAGY HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE PLANNing, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF WATER RESOURcE PROJECTS. DURING THIS TIME, HE SERVED IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS WITH A FOCUS ON CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL VALLEY. HE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE LEADING MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS OF TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FLOOD RISK REDUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROJEcTS. ERIC'S EXPERIENCE INCLUDES 13 YEARS OF SERVIcE WITH the U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (usace) IN SACRAMENTO.
Scott Shapiro
Moderator
Moderator
PARTNER
DOWNEY BRAND, LLP
sCOTT SHAPIRO IS HIGHLY REGarDED FOR HIS EXPERTISE IN FLOOD PROTECTION IMPROVEMeNT PROJECTS THROUGHTOUT the CENTRAL VALLEY AND THE WEST, AS WELL AS HIS SUCCESsFUL TRACK RECORD ON WATER RIGHTS AND WATER SUPPLIES issues. WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON MASSIVE FLOOD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, SCOTT ADVISES CLieNTS THROUGH REGULATORY, CONTRACTUAL, FINANCING AND LEGISLATIVE CHALLENGES. A former managing partner at downey brand, HE ReGULARLY INTERACTS WITH SENIOR MANaGEMENT at usace, cvfpb, and THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES.
DOWNEY BRAND, LLP
sCOTT SHAPIRO IS HIGHLY REGarDED FOR HIS EXPERTISE IN FLOOD PROTECTION IMPROVEMeNT PROJECTS THROUGHTOUT the CENTRAL VALLEY AND THE WEST, AS WELL AS HIS SUCCESsFUL TRACK RECORD ON WATER RIGHTS AND WATER SUPPLIES issues. WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON MASSIVE FLOOD PROTECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, SCOTT ADVISES CLieNTS THROUGH REGULATORY, CONTRACTUAL, FINANCING AND LEGISLATIVE CHALLENGES. A former managing partner at downey brand, HE ReGULARLY INTERACTS WITH SENIOR MANaGEMENT at usace, cvfpb, and THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES.
Location
Dante Club
2330 Fair Oaks Blvd. SacramentoDate & Time
December 16th 2025
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
Schedule
10:30 AM
10:40 AM
11:45 AM
1:00 PM
10:40 AM
11:45 AM
1:00 PM
Opening Remarks
Keynote Speaker
Lunch
Speaker Panel and Q&A
Keynote Speaker
Lunch
Speaker Panel and Q&A
