Staff and Board of Directors

Devin Strecker is certified as a Leader in Place Management (LPM) by the International Downtown Association (IDA). He serves as executive director of the River District, a property based improvement district (PBID) on the northern rim of downtown Sacramento. A 2022 graduate of the IDA's Emerging Leader Fellowship, Strecker has over two decades of experience in the place management industry, previously serving as Vice President/Interim Executive Director for the Hollywood Partnership. He has been a speaker at the West Coast Urban District Forum three times, graduated from the Los Angeles Police Department's Citizen Police Academy, and twice served as a candidate for the American Cancer Society's Real Men Wear Pink campaign. He has volunteered for the Stray Cat Alliance, People Assisting the Homeless, and The Center in Hollywood. He received a merit award from the IDA for Sunset & Dine, the annual Hollywood food festival he produced from 2012-2019. A graduate of Fort Hays State University, Strecker grew up in rural Paradise, Kansas, where his parents were involved in a fourth-generation family farm operation until they both returned to college to receive their Master's degrees in education.

Cristina Navarro is a graduate of San Francisco State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration. She has previous experience as an outdoor educator, facilitator, and resource coordinator. Born and raised in Southern California, Cristina enjoys spending time outdoors and is a fierce advocate for parks and open spaces. An avid volunteer since high school, Cristina believes in the importance of giving back to her local community. Through her work, Cristina hopes to create healthy, vibrant communities here in The River District.

Maurice Scott serves as the River District’s Business Development Manager, connecting our business owners and managers with the greater community and the resources available to them in the way of grants, programs and assistance. A graduate of Las Vegas High School, Maurice attended Cosumnes River College and joined the Sacramento Inclusive Economic Development Collaborative in 2022. In addition to his role as Business Development Manager, Maurice also created and maintains the River District’s TikTok account and assists with events and outreach. He is fluent in Spanish and is technologically savvy, and prides himself on his exceptional customer service.

Ahmed Hamdy is the Business Development Manager for Matriscope Engineering. With over 15 years of experience in commercial real estate and development in public and private agencies throughout northern California, he hopes to assist in creating a sense of place and stimulating economic growth here in the River District. Ahmed spends his free time on home-improvement projects and enjoying the culinary scene here in Sacramento or wine tasting with friends in Napa. A little-known fact about Ahmed, he can name all the U.S. states in alphabetical order in under 20 seconds and he also helped launch the spirit brand, Fireball, in Northern California.

Eric Crane currently serves as a Government Affairs Representative on SMUD’s Regional and Local Government Affairs team. Prior to joining SMUD, he spent 4 years at Downtown Sacramento Partnership as DSP’s Policy Advocate and previously worked on regional and local political campaigns in Placer, El Dorado, and Santa Clara Counties. Growing up in the Bay Area and working for a San Jose City Councilmember after attending U.C. Santa Cruz, Crane relocated to Roseville in 2013 and currently resides in West Sacramento with his dog, an Australian Shepherd. In addition to his experience within the realm of local government, Crane enjoys economic development, business attraction and the vibrant culture of the Greater Sacramento restaurant and entertainment scene.

Greta Lacin is Trustee of the Lacin Family Trust; she began her career in television news and used her skills in research and writing to ask important questions. Greta has been contributing to the work of the River District for decades as a Board Member and currently serves as the President of the Board. Greta is focused on developing the River District into a respected and vital center for businesses and residents as well as the revitalization of the riverfront to make it more accessible for residents and visitors and reclaiming its function as a natural habitat. In her free time, you will find her tinkering in her garden, creating habitats for birds, native bees, and butterflies. Fun fact: Greta and her husband ran a commercial photo studio that specialized in food shoots.

George Bernabe is the Director of Engineering at Blue Diamond Growers; he has over 30 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies in various roles in manufacturing and engineering. His current role at Blue Diamond Growers includes overseeing capital projects, environmental management, packaging, automation, and corporate facilities across three sites in the Central Valley. As a board member, he hopes to promote Blue Diamond as an employer of choice, while serving the community it conducts business in. George spent his entire childhood through high school living on different US Navy bases in the Pacific; he did not live in the U.S. until he began college at Cal State San Luis Obispo. During his free time, you will find George on a hike or behind a camera. His hobby landed him a gig as a photographer for an event in Hollywood capturing the Walking Dead for an international program.

Gina Albanese is Vice President, Asset Management, with First Pointe Management Group, which manages the residential community at Track 281 Apartments in the River District. Gina has over thirty years’ experience in the multifamily property management industry and has served on many boards and committees during her career. Her top priorities including improving the area economically, aesthetically, and with regards to safety to make the River District a place that residents, business owners, city officials and visitors are proud of.

Spencer Applegate is Senior Vice President at Colliers and is a leading broker in Commercial Real Estate in the Northern California area. He has 12 years of experience in assisting with leasing and sales of commercial properties with a focus on industrial facilities. He is a Sacramento Native and has seen the River District grow into a bustling commercial district with the redevelopment of older properties. Spencer’s focus for the River District is to ensure the area continues to be business friendly and help to design a community that attracts new projects from developers and business owners. He hopes that the visions of all the members of the district can come together to create a safe and economically strong region for the City of Sacramento.

Andrea Durham is the Executive Director of the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC). Andrea provides a strong background in building communal destinations for learning and exploration. After starting her career in the engineering and technology industry, she found her true calling in museums. Andrea started her museum career at the Museum of Science in Boston, where she had a hand in a variety of groundbreaking exhibit work, such as The Science of Pixar and Natural Mysteries. Her leadership at MOSAC will help promote STEAM learning throughout the Greater Sacramento Area while serving as a resource to promote the River District as a vibrant place for locals and travelers.

Mark Dutrow is the President and CEO of U.S. Glass, Inc. He is also President of Northern California Allied Trades, representing the owners and managers of over 250 Union companies. Mark received his degree in Engineering from University of California Berkeley. He has over 40 years of experience in commercial construction and hopes to use his experience to steer the River District in a positive direction for both businesses and residents. Mark spends his days boating, and has recently made the switch from sailboats to steamboats.

Ernie Gallardo has over 37 years in development and investment experience in the River District, representing investments valued over $100 million, including 300 Richards Boulevard. Ernie is a Member and Director of Real Estate at the Grove River District, LLC and River District Campus, LLC. Ernie currently serves on the Board of Directors of the River District. He hopes to help guide the future growth and development of the River District to make it an important part of the greater downtown and central city fabric, while uplifting programs that will benefit the community long-term. In his free time, you will find Ernie reading histories, biographies, and spending time with his family.

Sam Greenlee is the Executive Director of Alchemist Community Development Corporation (Alchemist CDC). With a deep commitment to inclusive economic development and community well-being, Sam is actively involved in shaping the future of the River District. As a property owner in the district, Alchemist CDC is spearheading the development of Alchemist Public Market at 341 N. 10th Street, a transformative $13+ million project aimed at fostering economic opportunity, food access, and community engagement. Sam's expertise spans nonprofit management, policy-making, and community development, with strong relationships across various levels of local government. Sam’s vision for the River District prioritizes creating a healthy, equitable, and vibrant neighborhood. He is committed to enhancing pedestrian and bike infrastructure, fostering connectivity between communities, and ensuring the district thrives as a diverse and inclusive space for residents and businesses alike.

Kesha Harris is Founder of July Forward, a non-profit organized to operate as a resource provider for low-middle income individuals in the Sacramento Region. She also serves as a consultant to individuals and businesses whose work focuses on equitable and inclusive solutions. Kesha holds a Real Estate Sales License and over 15 years experience in managing market rate and affordable housing. She continues to be committed to her professional advancement and is actively working towards a commercial real estate brokers license. It is her mission to assist the River District board by increasing opportunities for economic wealth, green technology and representation through action. Kesha is often found leading a group workshop or event, taking a walk in the park or listening to classical music and motivational audio books!

Diane Ortega is a dedicated advocate for the growth and activation of the River District, bringing over a decade of experience working and living in the heart of Sacramento. As the General Manager of Sacramento Pipeworks and a representative of Touchstone Climbing, Touchstone Brewing Co., and Showers by Touchstone, she is passionate about fostering community engagement and enhancing the district’s appeal. Diane’s expertise in event organization, attention to detail, and community building makes her a valuable asset to the board. Her top priorities include improving safety, expanding pedestrian and bike access, and ensuring the River District continues to thrive as a welcoming and dynamic destination.

Patrick Stelmach is a commercial real estate broker dedicated to driving investment and redevelopment in the River District. With a strong track record in sales and leasing, he has played a key role in several projects in the neighborhood. Passionate about Sacramento’s urban renaissance, Patrick is committed to transforming the River District into a vibrant, walkable destination that attracts new businesses and residents while supporting existing stakeholders. As an active member of the community—whether at Pipeworks or on the Two Rivers Bike Trail—he brings both firsthand local insight and deep expertise in development, city planning, and market conditions. His priorities include improving public perception, strengthening connections to Downtown and Old Sacramento, enhancing bike and pedestrian access, and addressing homelessness with collaborative solutions.