We make water work

Summit County, CO Property Owners

Pioneering Vision

We believe that our fundamental mission is to help facilitate and support economic growth through the development of sustainable and reliable water supplies in geographic areas lacking available water resources.
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Strategic Partner

We have a strong track record of partnering with private developers, local governments and other public agencies on successful water development projects.
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Experienced Team

We believe strongly that our team of experts begins with our employees, but also includes outside consultants with highly specialized expertise.
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Vidler Water Company, Inc.

Vidler Water Company, Inc. ("Vidler") is a private-sector water resource company focused on the development of reliable water supplies in geographic areas lacking available water resources. We provide water development solutions for end users by identifying, acquiring and developing water rights, often within fragmented agricultural markets, and over time converting these water rights to higher valued municipal and industrial uses.

Vidler has aggregated expertise and fostered a work environment that is inclusive of many professional disciplines which stimulates rigorous and innovative problem solving in the water resource area.

—Dorothy Timian-Palmer, P.E., President and Chief Executive Officer

History

The parent company of Vidler Water is D.R. Horton (NYSE: DHI). Vidler made its first water resource investment in 1995 when it acquired Vidler Water Tunnel which owned a water tunnel and associated water rights in Colorado. Vidler continued to make additional investments in water resources and water expertise with several strategic hires in the late 90’s. Vidler's technical depth includes expertise in the areas of geology, hydrology, hydrogeology, environmental permitting, project engineering, water rights and governmental relations.

Over the years Vidler has expanded its geographic presence beyond Colorado and has developed expertise, relationships and successful projects in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Projects of note include the recharge project in Harquahala Valley, Arizona, and two major pipelines in northern Nevada.

In 1996 Vidler purchased land in Harquahala Valley and after just two years of permitting and construction, started storing Excess Colorado Water via the Central Arizona Project. The recharge project was expanded multiple times and over 250,000 acre-feet of long-term storage credits were stored before mothballing the facility in 2013. In addition, Vidler started working on the Fish Springs Ranch Importation Project in Northern Nevada in 2000. After 5 years of pumping and permitting and two years of constructing 35 miles of pipe, the North Valleys area of Reno has enough water to supply 16,000 new homes. Vidler also constructed a 5.5 mile pipeline to connect Carson City and Dayton Utilities in 2009.

In 2022, Vidler merged with D.R. Horton and currently functions as the water resource expert for the nation’s #1 home builder as well as pursuing large infrastructure projects across the southwest.

Our Vision

We believe that our fundamental mission is to help facilitate and support planned economic growth through the development of sustainable and reliable water supplies in geographic areas lacking available water resources.

We believe in saying no to hundreds of projects, so that we can really focus on the few that are truly important and meaningful.

We believe that a deep and broad understanding of the scientific, environmental and regulatory aspects of water resource projects achieved through the expertise and collaboration of our employees differentiates Vidler and allows us to develop innovative solutions in a way that other water resource investors cannot.

Our Solutions

We pursue water development projects that solve a current or projected water shortage or water quality issue for end users. We have developed water assets for real estate project developers who are required to obtain an assured water supply for their projects prior to receiving local government approvals for their projects. We have permitted and constructed large pipeline projects which move large volumes of water to areas where people desire to work and live. We have also developed and permitted water storage projects that enable us to store water, in times of surplus, in an underground aquifer for recovery and use during times of water shortage.

Our Water Resource Development Process

Identification and Acquisition

Site Feasibility Analysis

Extensive due diligence

Purchase assets at attractive valuations

Permitting

Localized relationships

Public participation and support

Deep industry expertise (Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, etc.)

Development

Insuring sustainable aquifer potential managed through groundwater recharge facilities and conjunctive management of well fields

Capital investments to bridge supply and demand

Sale

Typical Buyers of Water Resources:

  • Developers
  • Energy Companies
  • Industrial Users
  • Municipal Industrial suppliers

Vidler Team

Our Management Team has an average of 20+ years in the water resource business.

We come from different expertise and backgrounds, but we share a common mission to help solve water resources issues by focusing on sustainable and reliable water resource development. Across the Company, Vidler's professionals are focused on working cooperatively with all the various stakeholders in a water project which includes local governments, public agencies, environmental groups and project developers - while at the same time working to provide a fully permitted, sustainable project with a sound financial return to our parent company and its shareholders.

We believe we have the strongest team in the business with expertise in Geology, Hydrology, Environmental Permitting, Water Rights, Project Engineering, Political Affairs, Transaction Structuring and Analysis.

—Dorothy Timian-Palmer, P.E., President and Chief Executive Officer

Dorothy Timian-Palmer

President and Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Timian-Palmer joined Vidler Water Company in December 1997 as its Chief Operating Officer and immediately started building her science focused team. She was promoted to President in April 2006 and appointed to Chief Executive Officer in October 2016. Ms. Timian-Palmer oversees the day-to-day operations of Vidler and sets the strategic direction of the Company. She has over 30 years of experience within the water resource field in the southwest United States. Prior to joining Vidler, she held the position of Utilities Director for Carson City, Nevada, having started as its Water Engineer in 1988 and previously worked for the USDA Soil Conservation Service.

Ms. Timian-Palmer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, specializing in water resources, from the University of Arizona. She also holds State of Nevada licenses for both Professional Civil Engineering and Water Right Surveying.

Donald A. Pattalock

Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Pattalock rejoined Vidler Water as its Chief Operating Officer in 2023 and brings over 30 years of experience in water and real estate development. Originally joining the Vidler team in 1999 as its Chief Geologist, Mr. Pattalock was an integral part of the Vidler team until 2012 when he departed to pursue his own land and water development projects. Mr. Pattalock directs and coordinates with the CEO in the execution and delivery of the strategic goals of the company.

In addition to his previous time with Vidler, Mr. Pattalock has held the position of CEO, President, and General Manager of several companies focused on land and water development in Nevada. As a leader on a team of professionals, Mr. Pattalock has helped lead the development of large land and water projects from acquisition and equity commitments through the entitlement process to project design and construction. Previously, Mr. Pattalock has served as a Director of Nevada Iron Ltd., a publicly traded iron mining company and held the position of Vice President of Nevada Land and Resource Company, LLC and Vidler Water. Mr. Pattalock has served as an Adjunct Professor, College of Engineering, University of Nevada Reno.

Chirag Parikh

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Mr. Parikh joined Vidler Water as the Controller in 2019 and has 20 years of experience in Auditing/Accounting and Finance. Mr. Parikh started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) before transitioning to the Mining Industry where he worked in Canada and South America before moving to Reno, Nevada in 2017.

Mr. Parikh holds a Masters in Accounting and Bachelor of Arts (Accounting) degree from the University of Waterloo. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) registered in Ontario, Canada.

Greg Bushner

VP of Water Resource Development and Chief Hydrogeologist

Mr. Bushner has over 35 years of experience within the water resource development field focused primarily in the southwest specializing in hydrogeology, artificial groundwater recharge and water well drilling. As Chief Hydrogeologist, Mr. Bushner oversees all scientific and technical issues concerning our water development projects. Mr. Bushner joined Vidler in June 2006. Prior experience includes Practice Leader for Groundwater Resources at URS Corporation, Associate Hydrogeologist with HydroSystems and Manager of Surface Water/Recharge at the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Mr. Bushner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Northern Arizona University. He is a registered Hydrogeologist with the American Institute of Hydrology and is a licensed Geologist in the states of Arizona and California.

Andrew Ailes

VP, Project Engineering

Mr. Ailes joined Vidler Water as a Project Engineer in 2007 and has 23 years of experience in consulting and water development. Prior experience includes time as a Project Engineer with Palmer Engineering Group in 2006 and 2007 where he designed and supervised various site improvement plans for private development. From 2001 to 2006 he designed and supervised wastewater capital improvements and infrastructure replacement projects as a Design Engineer with Mark Thomas & Company primarily for the Cupertino Sanitary District.

Mr. Ailes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science from George Fox University. He is also a registered Professional Civil Engineer in Nevada and Arizona and is a licensed Water Right Surveyor in Nevada.

Ryan Hoerth

Project Manager

Mr. Hoerth has over 15 years of experience within the water resource development field focused primarily in the southwest specializing in hydrogeology, artificial groundwater recharge, basin implementation, and water well drilling. As Project Manager, Mr. Hoerth oversees scientific and technical issues concerning our water development projects. Mr. Hoerth joined Vidler in June 2008. Prior experience includes time as a Staff Engineer with a local Reno engineering consulting firm, where he designed and supervised construction of waste containment and geotechnical projects in Nevada and California.

Mr. Hoerth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. He is also a registered Professional Civil Engineer in Nevada and is a licensed Water Right Surveyor in Nevada.

LeAnn Brandt

Water Rights Specialist

Ms. Brandt has over 34 years of experience within the water resource field, joining Vidler Water in 2007 primarily focusing in water rights and water law in the southwest. Ms. Brandt is responsible for water right research, acquisitions, permitting, and sales. As a Water Rights Specialist, Ms. Brandt oversees all governmental compliance documentation concerning Vidler’s water resources. Prior experience includes 18 years with Carson City, having started as a water meter technician, becoming a water production operator, environmental control officer and an engineer technician.

Ms. Brandt holds an Associate degree from Western Nevada College.

Carly Blum

Water Resource Acquisition Analyst

Ms. Blum joined Vidler Water in 2022, after transitioning from the land acquisition team at D.R. Horton. Prior to Vidler and D.R. Horton, she spent 7 years working with various commercial real estate firms focusing on transaction management. Her objective at Vidler is to manage water rights acquisitions, primarily in the Colorado market.

Ms. Blum holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She holds a real estate license in Colorado and Arizona.

Cory R. Runyon

Water Resource Manager

Mr. Runyon joined Vidler Water as a Water Resource Manager in 2024 and has 20 years of experience in natural resource management. Prior experience includes time as an Agronomist and Product Development for Bayer Cropscience. From 2011 to 2015 he managed the western US trial program and elevated several trial crop varieties to commercial status. More recently, Mr. Runyon was the Land Resources Manager at the Arizona State Land Department. He was responsible for over 9 million acres of agricultural and range land as well as the native plant program and the water rights and infrastructure projects associated with these land uses.

Mr. Runyon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Resource Economics from the University of Arizona, and a certificate in Water Management from Arizona State University.

Kadin Haggard

Engineering Hydrogeologist

Mr. Haggard joined Vidler Water as a hydrogeologist in 2024, bringing over 10 years of experience in hydrogeology and geotechnical engineering. He previously worked as a hydrogeologist with Newmont Mining Company in Nevada, focusing on the Carlin Trend and Long Canyon Mine, where he gained valuable insights into the complexities of water resource projects in Northern Nevada. Mr. Haggard further honed his expertise at Freeport McMoRan in Arizona, where he served as the Technology Center’s senior hydrogeologist and later the senior geotechnical engineer at the Safford mine. Before joining Vidler, Mr. Haggard was part of a small consulting firm in Reno, Nevada, where he supervised water resource projects across Northern Nevada and Arizona. His background has equipped him with the skills necessary to tackle the intricate challenges of water resource management in the arid American West.

Mr. Haggard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering, with a minor in hydrogeology, from the University of Nevada, Reno. As a 5th generation Nevadan, he is dedicated to leveraging his expertise to optimize the use of water resources in communities that lack sustainable water.

Jimmy Lee

Ranch Manager/Project Manager

Mr. Lee has 30 plus years of farm and ranch management experience. He is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of agriculture, while continuing to hold true to traditional values. Mr. Lee joined the Vidler team in 2001 to manage the then newly purchased Fish Springs Ranch in Washoe County Nevada. Currently farming approximately 260 acres of grass hay and alfalfa, the ranch also runs approximately 425 head of cattle encompassing over 100,000 acres of private and BLM lease lands. In 2008 the construction of a pipeline was completed for the transfer of 8,000 Ac/ft of water from the ranch to the north valleys of Reno, for future development projects. The ranch also leases land to Nextera Energy for a large solar energy project that was completed in 2022. Over the last 23 years the ranch has been transformed into a truly multi-use business model, while continuing its historical agriculture history.

Along with his ranch duties, he and his team also oversee property management, construction of water infrastructure systems, and land improvements as needed. The team’s goals are to prove up and put to beneficial use new and existing water rights in Idaho, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.

Evan Mellinger

Finance Manager

Mr. Mellinger joined Vidler Water in 2018. Prior to Vidler, Mr. Mellinger worked in the real estate valuation and appraisal services industry, with experience in vendor communications, title research, and client services.

In 2015, Mr. Mellinger followed his affinity for accounting and finance, altering course into a staff accountant position with his valuation firm. In pursuit of a more immersive and challenging professional environment, with a publicly traded company, Mr. Mellinger was hired on at Vidler as a Staff Accountant in 2018.

After two years with Vidler, Mr. Mellinger earned his Bachelor of Science (Accounting) degree at WGU and, shortly thereafter, assumed a new role as Vidler’s Senior Accountant. With nearly a decade of accounting experience, Mr. Mellinger currently serves as Manager of Finance.

Evelyn Wheeler

Administrative Accountant

Ms. Wheeler joined Vidler Water as an Office Administrator in 2023 with 15 plus years of administrative and accounting experience. Prior experience includes 6 years for a Regional Development Authority starting as Receptionist and moving into the role of Office Manager/Bookkeeper, and 11 years at an Accounting and Estimating software development company working in both accounting and administrative positions.

Contact

Vidler Water Company, Inc.

3480 GS Richards Boulevard, Suite 101
Carson City, NV 89703
775.885.5000
info@vidlerwater.com