Management and Organization
A Growing Organization
Northern Water is the largest water provider in Northeastern Colorado. Under the umbrella of our 13-member board, Northern Water is led by a general manager and four division directors. The division directors oversee their respective divisions’ operations and supervise department managers with employees ranging from support personnel and engineers, to operation, maintenance and administrative staff.
Bradley D. Wind, General Manager
Bradley Wind was promoted to general manager in 2018, the sixth general manager in the history of Northern Water. He has worked at Northern Water since 1994 serving as an engineer and deputy manager of operations. Wind has several degrees from Colorado State University - a bachelor's in civil engineering and agricultural engineering, and a master's in business administration. He also has a master's in agricultural engineering from the University of California at Davis. Email Brad
Jeff Drager, Director of Engineering
Jeff Drager has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Colorado State University and a master’s in water resources engineering from Stanford University. He is a registered professional engineer in Colorado and California. Drager has worked at Northern Water since 1995 where he has also served as project manager for the Windy Gap Firming Project, which involved a 18-year NEPA/permitting process. He has also served as project manager for other water supply projects in Colorado and California as both a consultant and owner’s representative. Email Jeff
About the Engineering Division
The Engineering Division helps ensure efficient and timely water deliveries while also planning for future water supplies and other organizational goals. Responsibilities include: water supply planning and forecasting to maximize operations; designing improvements to existing water supply and delivery systems; planning new water supply projects; protecting water supplies through water rights and permitting issues; and managing property and real estate.
Esther Vincent, Director of Environmental Services
Esther Vincent completed her master's degree in Civil Engineering in 1999 from the Grenoble Institute of Technology in France. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Colorado and has been an integral part of Northern Water since 1999. Recently, she has been spearheading Northern Water's efforts in post-fire watershed restoration following the devastating 2020 East Troublesome Fire. Her expertise encompasses water quality, watershed management, water supply planning, environmental permitting and regulations, and water conservation. In her role, she oversees critical aspects of Northern Water's operations, including water quality management, water efficiency, and flow monitoring programs. Additionally, she is responsible for environmental planning and compliance, as well as the management of environmental data systems. Esther is an active contributor to various organizations, having served on the boards of the Grand County Water Information Network, the Big Thompson Watershed Forum, and the Colorado WaterWise Council. She is also an alumna of the Water Education Colorado Water Leaders program. Esther was born and raised in Paris, France. During her free time, she thoroughly enjoys exploring Colorado's breathtaking backcountry with her family and friends, whether it be on foot, bike or skis. Email Esther
About the Environmental Services Division
The Environmental Services Division supports the development of future water supplies and the operation of existing water projects. Responsibilities include: ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and commitments; protecting existing and future water supplies; managing and protecting watershed and forest health; restoring and maintaining stream and aquatic habitat; collecting water flow, water quality and weather data; developing and supporting data management systems; and providing water efficiency education and technical support.
Jerry Gibbens, Director of Operations
Jerry Gibbens has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Colorado State University. He is a registered professional engineer in Colorado and Wyoming. In his time with Northern Water, prior to his current role, he worked on a variety of projects, including the Northern Integrated Supply Project, Colorado River Basin hydrologic modeling and policy-level planning, water resources planning and operations, watershed and forest health, and financial budgeting and planning. Prior to joining Northern Water, he was employed in consulting where he worked in water resources, environmental permitting and irrigation planning and design throughout the western United States and internationally. Gibbens and his family enjoy everything that his native Colorado and surrounding states have to offer, including vacationing, chasing extended family from place-to-place, outdoor activities and home improvement. Email Jerry
About the Operations Division
The Operations Division’s largest responsibilities include helping operate and maintain the Colorado-Big Thompson and Windy Gap projects, as well as Northern Water’s pipelines and two hydropower plants. The division is also responsible for maintaining Northern Water’s facilities and the organization's vehicle and equipment fleet. Operational responsibilities include: around-the-clock monitoring and controlling pump plants, canals, pipelines, reservoirs, hydropower facilities, buildings and grounds using a comprehensive SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system and manual operations by field staff. Maintenance activities include: constructing civil, electrical, mechanical and SCADA systems; and repairing and modernizing equipment, infrastructure and facilities via an enterprise-wide asset management system.
Sander Blackburn, Director of Finance and Administration
Sander Blackburn has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado at Denver, as well as a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and a minor in accounting from Western Colorado University. Blackburn joined the organization in 2022, after spending nearly 23 years in the electric utility industry where he focused his efforts on member relations, wholesale electric rate making and corporate financial activities. He is highly collaborative across all functions and has extensive experience in strategic planning, budgeting, risk management, financial analysis, debt management, communication and team building. Blackburn oversees the administrative, communications, contracts, cybersecurity, financial services, information technology, insurance, procurement, records and water scheduling functions of Northern Water that supports the mission of leading the region in water resource management that seeks a secure water future with a commitment to delivering a reliable, sustainable, high-quality water supply in an environmentally responsible manner.Sander also serves as Treasurer for the Berthoud Area Chamber of Commerce and is on the Board of the Colorado Special District Property and Liability Pool. Email Sander
About the Finance and Administration Division
The Finance and Administration Division provides administrative, financial and communications support to Northern Water and its divisions. Responsibilities include: managing water contracts and inclusions; administering general liability and other insurance; managing budgets, accounting, purchasing and the organization’s other financial responsibilities; administering, operating and maintaining Northern Water’s information technology (IT) infrastructure and application support; maintaining the organization’s geographic information system (GIS) data and applications; providing cybersecurity and secure IT protection; controlling and managing all official records; providing administrative services; managing and overseeing all internal and external communications; coordinating all organizational events and meetings; and managing all water scheduling activities.