Board

Rick Gomez has served on the Inland Empire RCD (IERCD) board since 2015. He was recently reappointed in 2018. He comes to the IERCD with an extensive background in real estate development as well as over 30 years of city planning and management. Most recently his work includes community development for the cities of Adelanto, Pomona, and the City of Rancho Cucamonga, with specific experience in governmental contracts, intergovernmental relations, urban development, and the federal/state legislative processes. He provides insight and perspective on IERCD outreach methods and land management/mitigation need through service on both the Mitigation and Lands Committee and the Public Education and Outreach Committee. In addition to his professional background, Rick is a docent at the Ontario Museum of History and Art as well as a member of the Rancho Cucamonga Rotary Club. Director Gomez has been appointed to the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) Board of Directors, serving as the representative to the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).  In this role, he will serve as the California representative in NACD and will work to increase connection between the two associations and the districts they serve.

Donald Butz is currently the Fire Chief for the Lakeside Fire District since October 2016. Chief Butz is an active member in the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association currently serving as the President as well as serving on the boards of other civic and leadership organizations. Prior to joining Lakeside Fire District, Chief Butz served with several large regional fire protection agencies as well as served as the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians’ Fire Chief and Tribal Administrator. Chief Butz holds a Master’s in Leadership with an emphasis in Disaster Management, Bachelors of Art in Management as well as an Associates of Science in Fire Technology. As the President of the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County, which works in partnership with the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County (RCD), Chief Butz felt that he could further support the efforts of both organizations in helping to support forest health, watershed and habitat protection, fire prevention education, and community outreach by joining the Board of the RCD.  He currently is the Board President for the RCD and is the Vice President of the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts.

Peter is a retired State Parks Administrator. He is the current president of the North Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council, a four county nonprofit that focuses on economic development and resource conservation. Peter also serves on the board of the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) representing the North Coast Region. Peter holds a bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State University.