Gary Petersen

Gary is currently a Senior Advisor to the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA). In this capacity, Gary works with various groundwater users throughout the 106-mile long basin to implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the most significant change in California water law in over a hundred years.

Gary’s work in managing four airports, multiple forest fires, and a Public Works Department has prepared him well for the level of work required to cooperate across a landscape with numerous groups of stakeholders, most with differing needs.  Gary has also managed his own organizational development practice for 20 years and participated with multiple not-for-profit organizations in leadership roles. 

Gary served nearly ten years as the Board Chair of Veriditas, an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring personal and planetary change and renewal through the labyrinth experience. 

Gary has received awards of distinction as California Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year, the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year, and Airport Manager of the year from the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives.

Gary currently serves as the Board Chair for the Legacy Labyrinth Project and was recently elected to serve as a City Councilperson for Nevada City, California, where he resides with his wife Christine Bottaro.