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<br /> <br />Brian Kirsch PhD <br />STAFF CONSULTANT <br />Senior Consultant <br /> <br />PROFILE <br />Brian has a background in water resources management and possesses extensive <br />analytical skills. His expertise lies in the areas of systems analysis and economic <br />modeling. He has performed significant research in the field of water resources in <br />which he has utilized aspects of engineering, policy analysis, risk management, <br />economics, and market analysis. <br /> <br />KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE <br />City of Oceanside (CA) <br />The City of Oceanside (City) requested that Raftelis conduct an organizational <br />assessment of their water and wastewater utility. Brian is assisting in this effort by <br />conducting interviews with staff and conducting a benchmarking exercise with <br />the City’s peers. <br /> <br />Montecito Water District (CA) <br />The Montecito Water District (District) asked Raftelis to conduct a salary <br />benchmarking study in order to remain competitive in the recruitment and <br />retention of staff. Brian served as the Lead Analyst, collecting and analyzing data <br />from peer utilities, and state and national survey data. Based upon this analysis, <br />Brian made recommendations for salary adjustments in several job positions. <br /> <br />City of Corona (CA) <br />As part of an Operational Assessment of the City of Corona’s (City) water and <br />wastewater utilities, Brian conducted an on-site facilities review and interviewed <br />staff. The review showed that facilities were well-maintained, but interviews with <br />staff indicated the potential for improvement in areas of maintenance and wastewater operations, as well as capital <br />project delivery. <br /> <br />Southern California Edison (CA) <br />Southern California Edison (SCE) is primarily an electric utility, but they also own and operate a small water utility that <br />serves Catalina Island. While most customers are located in the City of Avalon, SCE serves customers spread throughout <br />the island. The water utility is beset with a limited rate base, aging infrastructure with difficult accessibility, scarcity of <br />water supplies, high operating costs due to its island location, and a stringent regulatory environment. Raftelis conducted <br />an Operational Assessment for them, which involved extensive staff interviews, document reviews, and an on -site <br />assessment of their facilities. Brian was part of the team that made recommendations for improved asset management, <br />capital project review and delivery, and dedicated resources within the larger SCE organization. In a follow-on project, <br />Raftelis was asked to produce a memo in support of the water utility’s general rate case. Brian analyzed a variety of <br />alternative funding mechanisms that the water utility could use as revenue generation mechanisms. <br /> <br />Specialties <br />•Rate studies <br />•Financial planning <br />•Risk management <br />•Economic analysis <br />•Water resources management <br />•Data analysis <br />Professional History <br />•Raftelis: Senior Consultant (2018- <br />present); Consultant (2014-2017) <br />•Colorado School of Mines: <br />Postdoctoral Research Fellow <br />(2011-2014) <br />•University of North Carolina - <br />Chapel Hill: Research Assistant <br />(2001-2010) <br />Education <br />•Master of Science & Doctorate - <br />University of North Carolina at <br />Chapel Hill (2004 & 2010, <br />respectively) <br />•Bachelor of Science in Chemical <br />Engineering & Bachelor of Arts in <br />Environmental Engineering - Rice <br />University (2001)