District Staff Bios and Contact Info

Administration

Manager:  Patrick Fitzgerald

Pat joined Platte Canyon in 1974 and was appointed District Manager in 1975.  Through intergovernmental agreements with Platte Canyon Pat also serves as manager of Southwest Metropolitan Water and Sanitation District, Bow Mar Water and Sanitation District, and Columbine Water and Sanitation District.  He is currently chairman of the Denver Water Distributors Forum, an organization consisting of 70 contract distributors of Denver Water, and the Denver Water Rates and Fees Technical Advisory Committee, a group of eight municipalities and special districts formed to monitor and comment on Denver Water rate practices.  He is an active member of the American Waterworks Association, Water Environment Federation Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and American Public Works Association.

Assistant Manager:  Scott Morse

Scott began his employment with Platte Canyon
in 1985 as a temporary operations employee.  Upon  graduation from Metropolitan State College in 1988, he was hired as a full time administrative assistant.  He was promoted to the position of assistant manager in 2001. Scott’s numerous responsibilities include:  information technology management, including all computer networking and programming duties, contract administration, and purchasing management. 

Scott coordinated the development of the District’s computerized mapping system and automated supervisory control and data acquisition programs which allows for centralized monitory and control of District water and wastewater pumping stations and sewer flow monitoring sites.  His unique computer and problem solving skills have enhanced the efficiency of many District administrative and maintenance operations.

Financial Administrator:  Vanessa Shipley

Vanessa Shipley was hired as financial administrator for Platte Canyon and Southwest Metropolitan Water and Sanitation Districts in July 2003.  Prior to that Vanessa served as an auditor with Van Schooneveld and Company and CliftonGunderson for four years. Vanessa’s responsibilities include processing financial statements, payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable and investments for Platte Canyon and Southwest Metropolitan.

Vanessa is a licensed certified public accountant and is a member of the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Colorado Government Finance Officers Association.

Construction Coordinator/Inspector:  Dennis Morse

Denny was hired as a seasonal operations staff member in 1974.  In 1975 he became a full time employee and, over time, assumed the position of construction coordinator and inspector.  In that position Denny is responsible for review of all water and wastewater facility construction plans. In addition to “in house” review, Denny coordinates review of construction plans with other organizations such as Denver Water, City of Littleton, Jefferson and Arapahoe Counties.  Once a project moves to construction, Denny oversees facility installation, testing and documentation.  Denny has personally overseen the construction of over one half of all water distribution and wastewater collection facilities owned by Platte Canyon and Southwest Metropolitan Water and Sanitation Districts.

Denny also is responsible for utility location services provided by Platte Canyon, Southwest Metropolitan, Bow Mar, and Columbine.  The District’s are required to accurately locate water and wastewater facilities prior to any excavation work.  Denny represents all tier one water and wastewater utility members on the Board of Directors of the Utility Notification Center of Colorado.

Administrative Assistant/Website Administrator:  Barrie Brinkley

Barrie came to Platte Canyon in 2000 after serving 12 years in the U.S. Air Force and 4 years of employment with Convergent Group. Barrie’s current duties include records management,  word processing, meeting, planning, public media communications, and managing the content and administration of Platte Canyon’s and Southwest Metropolitan’s websites.  Barrie represents the District on the Customer Service Committee of the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Waterworks Association.

Administrative Assistant/Receptionist:  Alyssa Quinn

Alyssa began employment with Platte Canyon in January 2000 as a filing clerk and database administrator.  She assumed the secretary/ receptionist position in 2004. Alyssa’s duties include customer service activities, administration of the District’s extensive computerized asset management system and providing administrative support to the manager and construction supervisor.  She also serves as the District representative to the Xeriscape Colorado and WaterWise organizations.

Operations

Operations Supervisor:  Scott Hand

Scott Hand has been employed by Platte Canyon for 25 years.  He began his service as an Operator I employee, was later promoted to the operations foreman position and, in 2005, became the operations supervisor. As supervisor, Scott oversees five employees charged with operating and maintaining all water and wastewater infrastructure, vehicles and buildings owned by Platte Canyon, Southwest Metropolitan, Bow Mar and Columbine Water and Sanitation Districts.  He has obtained the highest levels of certification for water distribution system and wastewater collection system operations offered by the Colorado Water and Wastewater Operations Certification Board.  Scott is well known by many District customers as an employee that goes beyond the call of duty when responding to customer service requests, diagnosing problems and effectuating repairs.

Operations Foreman:  Armando Quintana

Armando was appointed operations foreman in December 2005 after serving six years in an
operator I position.  Before joining Platte Canyon, Armando worked for the Alamosa Water Department and served in the U.S. Marines during the Gulf War.  Armando’s duties include directing  and assisting four operations staff members in the operation, maintenance and repair of 240 miles of water main, 1,893 fire hydrants, 4,579 water valves, two water pumping stations, 230 miles of sewer main and two wastewater pumping stations.

Armando has achieved level II wastewater collection system and level III water distribution system certification through the Colorado Water and Wastewater Operations Certification Board.

Operator I:  Bruce Yarish

Bruce began employment with Platte Canyon in 1984 after working for the City of Arvada Utilities Department.  Bruce’s responsibilities include operation, maintenance, and repair of all water distribution and wastewater collection facilities serving the residents of Platte Canyon, Southwest Metropolitan, Bow Mar, and Columbine Water and Sanitation Districts.  Bruce is certified by the Colorado Water and Wastewater Operations Certification Board as a level II water distribution system operator and as a level I wastewater collection system operator.

Operator I:  Tomas Garcia

Tomas was hired by Platte Canyon in 2005 after serving 20 years as a treatment plant operator for  the City of Glendale.  As an operator I employee, Tomas is one of six staff members responsible for  operation, maintenance and repair of the extensive water distribution and wastewater collection infrastructure owned by Platte Canyon, Southwest Metropolitan, Bow Mar, and Columbine Water and Sanitation Districts.

Operator I:  John Mathias

John has been employed by Platte Canyon as a water distribution and wastewater collection
system operator since February 21, 2006.  As an operator I employee, John is one of six staff members responsible for operation, maintenance and repair of the extensive water distribution and wastewater collection infrastructure owned by Platte Canyon, Southwest Metropolitan, Bow Mar, and Columbine Water and Sanitation Districts.

Operator I: Steve McAllister

Steve McAllister also joins Platte Canyon after being employed 6½ years at Kacey Fine Furniture. Steve was born in Dallas, Texas and lived there for 10 years before his family moved to Colorado. He is a graduate of Green Mountain High School and Red Rocks Community College with a degree in Business and Accounting. Steve is currently pursuing studies in the area of financial services. He is engaged to be married this August and in his spare time enjoys playing golf. When asked what he liked most about his employment at Platte Canyon, Steve stated that he appreciated that the work was challenging and enjoyed the work environment at the District.

Operator I: Justin Roquemore

Justin was born in Farmington, New Mexico and lived there for 8 years before his family moved to Littleton.  He is a graduate of Dakota Ridge High School.  He joins the Platte Canyon staff after being employed for 6 years at Elite Auto Glass.  When asked what led him to be interested in working in the water industry he cites a tour he had made of the Grand Canyon pump station in Arizona where his relative works.  Justin is single and in his free time enjoys being in the outdoors where he participates in such activities as fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, and 4-wheeling.