Board of Directors and management team

John J. Entsminger oversees the operations of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which is responsible for acquiring, treating and delivering water to local agencies that collectively serve 2 million residents and more than 40 million annual visitors, and the Las Vegas Valley Water District, which serves more than 375,000 customer accounts. He was appointed general manager by both agencies' Boards of Directors in early 2014, having previously served as director of environmental and water resource law and senior deputy general manager. Entsminger joined the organization in 1999 as an attorney.

Entsminger has spent his career addressing the unique water challenges facing Southern Nevada. He has been instrumental in developing inter basin and international agreements protecting Lake Mead water elevations, including the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines and Minutes 319 and 323 to the 1944 U.S. - Mexico Water Treaty. In April 2014, he was appointed by Governor Sandoval to serve as Nevada's lead negotiator on Colorado River matters.

On the national front, Entsminger serves on the Boards of Directors of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and the Water Research Foundation, and the Desert Research Institute Foundation Board of Trustees.

Committed to public involvement, Entsminger works closely with a committee of community stakeholders tasked with making recommendations on issues related to funding, planning and facilities construction and maintenance. These recommendations will guide future organizational initiatives, including a renewed commitment to maintaining its vast water systems.

Entsminger is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado and of the University of Colorado School of Law, where he was awarded the Charles N. Woodruff Natural Resources Law Fellowship. He and his family have been in Las Vegas for 25 years.

Andy Belanger is the Deputy General Manager of Administration for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District. He oversees the Information Technology, Human Resources, and Environmental Health, Safety and Corporate Security departments.

A Las Vegas native, Andy began his career at the district in 1997. He has been involved in several community outreach efforts, including public engagement activities on rates and charges, integrated water planning, and capital infrastructure. Additionally, Andy has represented the organization at the Nevada State Legislature since 2001.

In 1998, Andy graduated from the Honors College at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a bachelor's degree in political science. He also holds a master's degree in political science. Andy serves as Vice Chair of the State Board for Financing Water Projects and as a member of Honors College Advisory Board.

Andy is married with three children.

Colby Pellegrino is the Deputy General Manager of Resources for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District. She oversees the Public Services, Water Resources, and Customer Care & Field Services departments.

After joining the agency in 2003, Pellegrino served as an instrumental part of the Water Resources division, supporting Colorado River modeling efforts to anticipate changes caused by climate change, reduced flows, and other inputs.

In her current capacity, she is responsible for the management of the Water Authority’s water resource portfolio, which includes protecting Nevada's interests and rights to Colorado River water through interstate negotiations, developing regional water conservation programs, managing groundwater resources, and water resource planning.

Pellegrino also serves on the Trustee Advisory Board for ImpactNV, a nonprofit organization that fosters collaboration between Nevada’s public and private entities to drive sustainable practices and positive impact across the state.

A native of Las Vegas, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.

Pellegrino has two children and is an avid cook, hiker, and outdoors enthusiast.

Doa Ross is the Deputy General Manager of Engineering & Operations for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

Ross has been with the organization since 2000 and manages four departments with more than 750 employees within the Engineering, Operations, Infrastructure Management, and Water Quality and Treatment departments. These departments are primarily responsible for the planning, design, construction, asset management, treatment and distribution of hundreds of millions of gallons of safe drinking water within Southern Nevada to 2.4 million residents and visitors every day.

With over 25 years of experience related to water supply management, Ross brings a passion for innovation in the areas of smart water technology and water loss management, and incorporates innovative solutions into the projects and management of the system. She is responsible for executing the design and construction of the critical water projects included in the Water Authority's Major Construction and Capital Program and the District's Capital Improvement Plan.

Ross graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is a licensed professional engineer, and has served on multiple committees and boards in the areas of water reliability, innovation, engineering design, and construction best practices. She is a member of the American Water Works Association, WateReuse Association, American Public Works Association, U.S. Water Alliance, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, Water Environment Association, American Society of Civil Engineers and Society of Women Engineers. In recognition of her leadership and expertise in the field of public works, the American Public Works Association has named Ross one of the Top 10 Public Works Leaders of the Year for 2025.

Paul Johnson is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

Paul is an experienced CFO with over 25 years of senior-level leadership in fiscal management, public education funding, and organizational operations. He has been recognized statewide for shaping education funding policy, delivering impactful financial oversight, and serving on key Nevada fiscal panels and advisory committees.

Prior to joining LVVWD/SNWA, Paul served as the CFO for the White Pine County School District in Ely, NV, where he led fiscal operations and oversaw all financial, administrative, and operational procedures. His expertise includes strategic financial planning and analysis, budget development and oversight, public sector compliance and reporting, risk and asset management, and legislative fiscal policy.

Paul holds a Master of Science in Management & Leadership and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Western Governors University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Accounting Emphasis from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to public education and financial leadership. He has also served on various professional affiliations and leadership roles such as the Nevada Commission on School Funding, Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, and the Committee on Local Government Finance (CLGF).

Gregory J. Walch serves as General Counsel for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

As a member of the Water Authority and Water District Executive Teams, he oversees the Legal Department of both agencies.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University in 1985, Walch spent the next four years as an engineer with Layne Western Company, designing and overseeing construction of water well systems for industrial and municipal clients.

In May 1992, Walch received his Juris Doctor from the Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law. He has practiced environmental, water, land use, mining, eminent domain and administrative law, and has regularly appeared before the Nevada State Engineer and other state agencies and administrators, various federal agencies, and state and federal courts in Nevada. In 1996, Walch co-founded the law firm now known as Holley, Driggs, Walch, Puzey & Thompson. Walch has been recognized by Chambers USA, Mountain States Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell for his work in environmental and natural resources law.

Walch and his wife, Shauna, have two sons, Rowan and Quin.