Officers of the Administration
Chairman – James Rizzuto
Federal Representative
James was appointed as the federal representative by the President in December 2014.
Vice-Chairman – Scott Brazil
Scott has been a member of the Administration since 2013 when he was appointed to the position. Scott attended the University of Southern Colorado, graduating in 1994. Scott owns and operates Brazil Farm and Cattle in Pueblo, Colorado, and has worked for Rusler Implement for over 20 years. In addition, he has served as president of the Arkansas Ground Water Users Association and on the board of the Pueblo County Farm Bureau.
Recording Secretary & Treasurer – Stephanie Gonzales
Stephanie has been the Recording Secretary & Treasurer for the Administration since she was elected in 2004. Stephanie serves as the Interim Executive Director for the Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development (SECED).
Operations Secretary – Rachel Zancanella
State of Colorado, Division of Water Resources
Rachel has worked for the State of Colorado since 2011 starting her career as a Deputy Water Commissioner and later obtaining her professional engineering license in 2013. She worked in several engineering roles at the Colorado Division of Water Resources office in Pueblo, CO before becoming the Division Engineer in December of 2022. Rachel graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Civil Engineering in 2008.
Assistant Operations Secretary – Kevin Salter
State of Kansas, Division of Water Resources
Elected in December 2006 and has worked for the Kansas Division of Water Resources since 1993. He serves as an Interstate Water Engineer with primary responsibilities related to the Compact. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Nebraska. He has previous employment experience with a large agricultural processing company and with a small consulting engineering firm.
Members of the Administration
The By-Laws of the Arkansas River Compact Administration, Article I.2. provides that “Membership of the Administration shall consist of three representatives from each of the States of Colorado and Kansas, designated or appointed as provided by the Arkansas River Compact and the law of each of such States, and, if designated by the President, one representative of the United States of America.”
Lauren Ris – Colorado Water Conservation Board Director
Colorado Representative, Administrative & Legal Committee
Lauren Ris is the Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. As a water policy expert focused on water resilience, Ris’ priorities include continuing the momentum of the Colorado Water Plan and collaborating with partners across the state to find creative solutions to water challenges. Ris holds a Bachelors in English and Environmental Science from Willamette University and a Masters in Natural Resource Policy and Conservation Biology from the University of Michigan. She previously worked as a Committee and Policy Staff Fiscal Analyst for the Colorado Legislative Council, a Legislative Liaison for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Assistant Director for Water in the DNR, and the Deputy Director of the CWCB.
Zachary Gale – Syracuse, KS
Kansas Representative, Administrative & Legal Committee
Zach was born and raised in Syracuse, Kansas. After High School, he attended The University of Kansas and received a BS in Finance. Upon completion in 2009, he returned home and began working for Frontier Dairy. In 2013, he began leasing ground in the county. Zach serves as the Hamilton County Representative for Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District #3 and serves as the current vice president of the Frontier Ditch Company.
Earl Lewis – Kansas Division of Water Resources Chief Engineer
Kansas Representative, Engineering Committee
Earl has dedicated his career to water resources in Kansas, including more than 20 years with the Kansas Water Office where has been serving as the director since December 2018. He began his career with KDA–DWR in 1992, and has been a licensed professional engineer since 1998. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kansas.
Scott Brazil – Vineland, CO
Colorado Representative, Engineering Committee
Scott has been a member of the Administration since 2013 when he was appointed to the position. Scott attended the University of Southern Colorado, graduating in 1994. Scott owns and operates Brazil Farm and Cattle in Pueblo, Colorado, and has worked for Rusler Implement for over 20 years. In addition, he has served as president of the Arkansas Ground Water Users Association and on the board of the Pueblo County Farm Bureau.
Lane Malone – Holly, CO
Colorado Representative, Operations Committee
In August 2015, Lane was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper to represent that portion of the Arkansas Valley in Colorado below John Martin Reservoir, also known as District 67. Lane received his degree in Agriculture Business from Lamar Community College. He returned to the Bristol area where he currently owns and operates an irrigated farming operation, manages a family seed business, and is involved in a livestock operation with his son. Lane serves on the Board of the Amity Mutual Irrigation Company, the Prowers County Fair Board, and is also a member of the Lower Arkansas Water Management Association.
Troy Dumler – Garden City, KS
KS Representative, Operations Committee
Troy Dumler is Vice President/General Manager of The Garden City Company, a landholding company in Southwest Kansas started in 1905. He graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University. After working 15 years as an Extension Agricultural Economist for K-State Research and Extension, he joined The Garden City Company in 2013. Troy currently serves on several surface water boards and is a board member of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program.