General Manager & Board Secretary Jeremiah "Jer" Camarata
Mr. Camarata holds two degrees in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, a BLA and MLA, with honors. Academic studies focused on social and natural resource problems that demanded place-based, systemic solutions. He worked in the private, domestic and international high-tech geospatial sector for nine years, working out of Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Bend, Oregon. Jer spent two years helping implement and market a fish and debris screen known as ‘The Farmers Screen’ for irrigation and hydropower diversions within the Pacific Northwest Cascade and Western Rockies ranges. The patented water screening technology is owned by Farmers Irrigation District (FID) in Hood River, OR where Jer served as the General Manager (GM) for over 5 years. At FID, Jer helped the District climb out of a financial and operational crisis caused by a major natural disaster, built two major water pipeline projects, and re-powered a 3MW hydroelectric facility. Jer has experience designing, balancing, and managing operational budgets up to ~$6.5M and overseeing individual projects of equal value. Throughout his career in water resources, Jer has been directly responsible for managing small and large-scale irrigation and hydropower assets valuated at ~$66M.
As GM at Swalley ID, Jer strives to achieve environmentally and economically sustainable energy and irrigation service for the common good. As Swalley's executive officer, Mr. Camarata has charge of the staff, oversees all District field and office operations, proposes and manages all budgets, spearheads strategic planning, and is responsible for implementing and interpreting policy as well as engaging in and executing District negotiations, contracts, and agreements. Jer also serves as Swalley's Board Secretary.
Mr. Camarata is a board member for Oregon Water Resources Congress, the Board Secretary for the Deschutes Basin Board of Control (DBBC), and serves on numerous energy and water committees throughout the state. Jer and his wife, Kira Camarata are active community members.