Sharon Tapia
Dams Practice Leader, Vice PresidentSharon is an experienced and accomplished leader who has worked in multiple capacities related to dam safety and business operations in California for more than 30 years. Since 2017, as Division Manager/Chief of the Division of Safety of Dams, she led a highly technical team of engineers and engineering geologists in the review of state regulated dams to ensure the protection of life and property from potential dam failures. Sharon has played a pivotal role in expanding the California Dam Safety Program, responding to legislative mandates requiring the development of inundation maps, comprehensive reevaluation studies, enhanced enforcement, and updated safety practices, and incorporating advanced risk management strategies.
Earlier in her career, Sharon gained technical experience performing complex analyses, such as hydrologic studies, hydraulic evaluations, stability analysis, and finite element modeling of concrete dams. She has also conducted dam inspections and instrumentation reviews and has experience in emergency response and recovery efforts.
Over the course of her career, Sharon has worked with a variety of local, state, and private entities, and federal agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
LOCATION
Sacramento, California
Highlights
- Licensed Professional Engineer in California
- Certified Project Management Professional
- Member and Past President of the Board of Directors for the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO)
- Past Member of FEMA’s National Dam Safety Review Board
- Past Member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Government Coordinating Council.
- Recipient of the 2022 ASCE’s Government Civil Engineer of the Year Award for making significant contributions to the profession through public service
