Travis, Principal Management Analyst

Paying it forward.

Travis is part of EBMUD’s treasury group, which is in charge of “getting EBMUD the cash it needs and managing that cash.” He manages the work required for the District to sell bonds, so EBMUD can spend on much needed infrastructure projects while keeping water and wastewater rates for customers fair and reasonable. Debt financing through the sale of bonds is a good match for large capital projects with long, useful lives, like major improvements at EBMUD’s water treatment plants. It also creates intergenerational equity, meaning that future ratepayers will participate in the financing of these big projects over their useful life.

The significance of the price tag on the bonds the District has sold – roughly $170 million per year – is not lost on Travis. “I feel very privileged to be a part of this important and interesting work.”

His first job was in Portland working for a large public utility, which planted the seed for his ongoing career aspirations. “I quickly realized my interest in utilities, and that’s stuck with me throughout my career.” Travis later worked at a rating agency, analyzing the financials and management practices of local governments including cities, counties and special districts like EBMUD.

Travis’s expertise on what rating agencies look for helps maintain EBMUD’s strong credit rating, which allows the District to borrow at favorable rates. He underscores the importance of getting great rates on EBMUD's more than $3 billion of bonds.

"I really connect to the idea of stewardship. We’re stewards of natural resources and of our customers’ money. To manage both effectively and fairly, we have to take our work very seriously."