Dan Keppen Biography

Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis
Upholding rural Americans' rights to grow food,
own property, and caretake our wildlife and natural resources.

Dan Keppen's biography

https://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/bio_keppen.pdf

P.O. Box 216
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601
(541)-892-6244 dankeppen@charter.net

SUMMARY: Twenty seven years of experience in association management, water resources, power and environmental policy, facilities design, planning, economic analyses and contract administration in the public and private sectors. Well-developed written and oral communication skills. Experienced in legislative strategy, media and membership communications, outreach and education, and event / meeting planning. Sixteen appearances before Congress to testify on Western water and environmental issues. Considerable experience with practical applications of state and federal environmental policies at the local level. Experienced in legislative / regulatory issues tracking, advocacy and negotiation.

EDUCATION: Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. M.S., Civil Engineering (Water Resources) University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming B.S., Petroleum Engineering

EXPERIENCE: 3/1/05 – Present President, Dan Keppen & Associates, Klamath Falls, Oregon. This corporate firm handles key water resources policy and communications work for select clients. Served under contract as the executive director for the Family Farm Alliance, a non-profit grassroots organization representing irrigation interests in 17 western states, which is now considered by many as the voice of irrigated agriculture in the West.

11/5/01 – 2/1/05 Executive Director, Klamath Water Users Association, Klamath Falls, Oregon. Responsible for asserting the rights of 5,000 irrigators through the development and implementation of policy recommendations approved by the board of directors. Coordinated association members, a multi-state team of consultants, elected officials, and state and federal agencies in efforts to improve the viability of the Klamath Irrigation Project. Focused on coalition building and public education. Provided testimony before Congress, Oregon Legislature and California State Assembly on Klamath River policy matters, and represented the association in numerous national, regional and local public forums. 9/00 – 10/01

Special Assistant to the Regional Director, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region, Sacramento, California. Advised and assisted the regional director with planning, managing, directing, and coordinating a variety of the Region’s water management activities in California, Nevada and Oregon. Actions focused on building partnerships with Reclamation customers, development of a 5-year Strategic Plan for the Region, and implementation of Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) and CALFED Bay-Delta Program activities (CALFED).

12/97 – 9/00 Director of Member and Government Relations, Northern California Water Association (NCWA), Sacramento. Engaged on policy issues, coordinated member relations and worked closely with a wide range of government agencies, water users and environmental organizations on several issues, including implementation of CVPIA, CALFED, ESA regulations, and state legislative negotiations / appropriations.

12/94 – 12/97 Water Resources Engineer, County of Tehama, Red Bluff, California. Represented the County on all water resources matters, including oversight of budgetary, technical and administrative duties for the Tehama County Flood Control & Water Conservation District. Developed a coordinated AB 3030 groundwater management plan and managed flood response and recovery efforts associated with three federal flood declarations on the Sacramento River and its tributaries.

1/89 – 12/94 Project Engineer, Klein Consulting Engineers, Forest Grove, Oregon. Provided master planning, design and construction management of dams, public water and flood control systems, and private irrigation systems.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION: Registered Professional Civil Engineer, California Past Civil Engineer and Certified Water Rights Examiner, Oregon

AWARDS:
 Klamath Water Users Association Distinguished Service Award, 2010
 John W. Keys III Award for “Building Partnerships and Strengthening Relationships”, Awarded by the Commissioner of USBR, 2009.
 Letter of Commendation, USBR “Managing for Excellence”, 2008.
 California Senate “Resolution of Commendation”, 2005.
 Tri County Courier “Person of the Year”, 2004.
 Klamath County Chamber of Commerce “First Citizen”, 2004.
 USBR Mid-Pacific Region “Quality Co-Worker” Award, 2002.
 NCWA “Resolution of Appreciation”, 2001.

APPOINTMENTS:
 Senior Fellow, American Leadership Forum of Oregon (Class XXIII)
 Oregon Governor’s Climate Change Integration Group
 Water Conservation Group, Bureau of Reclamation “Next Steps” phase of the Colorado River Basin Study process
 U.S. Water Alliance Board of Directors (2012-2014)
 Irrigation Association Board of Directors (2009-2012)
 President, Klamath County Chamber of Commerce (2015)
 Klamath Co. Chamber of Commerce Executive Board (2002-Present)
 Klamath County Natural Resources Advisory Council (Past Chair)
 Paul Harris Fellow, Klamath County Rotary Club
 Klamath Watershed Partnership Executive Committee

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