Staff and Board of Directors

Devin Strecker, LPM

Executive Director

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

Events & Placemaking Manager

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.

Chris Evans

Public Space Manager

Chris Evans is the founder of SacNav, consulting with Property and Business Improvement Districts to implement a policy of Compassionate Compliance for their unhoused populations. He has managed the River District’s Public Spaces Team since the first year it was implemented, working with the team members to develop their career and housing goals while keeping our district clean and safe. He is certified as a practitioner of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which he utilizes in his work with the River District Public Spaces Team. He has served as a presented at the West Coast Urban District Forum. As a Sales Expert and serial entrepreneur, Chris is widely regarded as one of the leading experts in the field of sales & marketing. He has been featured nationally on Hour Magazine, Fox News, Clear Channel Radio Hawaii, and ABC featured Chris as a business training expert on its hit investigative show, 20/20 with Elizabeth Vargas.

Maurice Scott

Business Community Liaison

Maurice Scott serves as the River District’s Business Community Liaison, 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 our business ambassador, 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

President

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.

Greta Lacin

Vice President

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

Treasurer

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.

David Padgham

Secretary

David Padgham and his partners at Separovich/Domich Real Estate Development purchased the vacant 80,000 square foot office complex located at 444 N 3rd Street in 2015. At present the property is 85% leased, with 50,000 square feet occupied by the Sutter SeniorCare PACE program. During David’s time as a landlord, and member of the River District Board, he has witnessed dramatic change, and has great optimism regarding both the short, and long term future of the area. Originally from Santa Barbara, David graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a B.A. in economics. David's career began in property management, and upon moving to Sacramento, became a broker with Bishop Hawk before joining Separovich/Domich in 1987. Since then David has overseen the development and ongoing operations of several medical and office buildings.

Gina Albanese

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

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.

Eric T. Crane

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.

Andrea Durham

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

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

Ernie has over 37years 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.

Kesha Harris

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!

Lisa Nava

Lisa Nava is the Chief of Staff for Supervisor Phil Serna. She has been closely involved in the River District, having worked on the formation of the River District PBID in 1999(?). Through her contacts and resources with the county, Lisa hopes to add to the Board’s efforts to make the River District the best it can be. She believes the River District is experiencing a resurgence and hopes to be a part of that. During her free time, Lisa enjoys live music, attending sporting events, and the arts. Lisa also has an adventurous side having skydived and having hopes to do it again.

Josh Kohlenbrener

Josh kohlenbrener is the Head of Development at Bauen Capital; he has a background in Civil and Environmental Engineering with years of experience working with the nation’s largest general contractors. Josh has spent multiple years developing multifamily projects throughout the country. As a board member, Josh hopes to see the River District come to life with residents and retail shops. He believes the River District has the potential to become the next Wynwood Miami or LA Arts District. He envisions a future where you can walk down 16th street at night and see a busy, thriving ecosystem all around. In his free time, you will find him outdoors hiking, golfing, or traveling. Fun fact: the one food Josh does not like is cilantro - it tastes like soap to him.

Ryan Robinett

Ryan Robinett is an associate principal with ZGF Architects LLP, as the on-site architect for the new Richards Boulevard Office Complex in the heart of the River District. As such, he is invested in making the inevitable transformation of the River District into a success for the neighborhood and the Sacramento Region. He relocated to the Sacramento area when the RBOC project started construction and since has been strengthening his ties to the region while contributing to the growth and development of the area. Ryan brings over twenty years of experience working as a designer, planner and creative problem solver. He has worked on many different projects at all kinds of scales and understands how new development can be utilized to transform neighborhoods while working toward a collective vision. He is a proponent of public transit, bicycle infrastructure, creating adequate and distributed parks and open spaces, strong public schools, and the smart increase of housing density.