Kevin Hardy, Executive Director
Kevin Hardy joined NWRI in 2017 as Executive Director. He works with policymakers and stakeholder groups to continue developing regulations for recycled drinking water and water treatment facilities. NWRI's well-established expert panel program helps guide technological innovation and policies that shape the future of recycled water use nationwide.
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Hardy was with Encina Wastewater Authority, a public agency that provides recycled water and wastewater treatment services in San Diego County, for 21 years and was General Manager for the last seven years of his tenure. He is past president of both the California Association of Sanitation Agencies and the California Sanitation Risk Management Authority.
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Hardy holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University, and a JD from the University of San Diego School of Law. He is the third Executive Director of NWRI since it was established in 1991, following Jeffrey Mosher (2005-2016) and Ronald Linsky (1991-2005).
Tianna Manzon, Project Manager
Tianna Manzon joined NWRI in October 2022 as Research Project Coordinator. She has over five years of office and project management experience. She helps organize NWRI projects to be efficient and best serve our clients.
She has a business management degree from California State University, Long Beach.
Her interests outside of work include cooking, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Romeo.
Julie Abshire, Project Controller
Julie Abshire joined NWRI in June 2013. She brings her 20-year experience and a BS in Business to make sure that our spreadsheets tally and our accounts reconcile. Outside of work at NWRI, she enjoys travel, animals, reading and gardening.
Mary Collins, Communication Manager
Mary Collins joined NWRI in September 2018. She relocated to Southern California from Seattle where she worked as a technical communicator and project manager in the tech industry. Her experience also includes five years as technical editor at an earth sciences engineering firm where she worked on environmental and geotechnical engineering projects.
She has a BA in Communication from Boise State University and certification in technical writing and editing from the University of Washington in Seattle.
Ana Alcaraz, Administrative Assistant
Ana Alcaraz joined NWRI in March 2026 as an Administrative Assistant. She supports NWRI by coordinating records, meetings, communications, and Board activities.
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Ana is an MPH Candidate at UC Irvine with a passion for public health and interests in nutrition, food security, chronic disease prevention, and water quality research. She has a BS in Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology from the University of California, Berkeley.
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She is eager to apply her skills and knowledge at NWRI by collaborating with others who are also passionate about protecting public health.