About North Kootenai Water District

A Board of Directors, elected by members of the water district, operates North Kootenai Water District. Each Board Member is elected to a six-year term.

Board Meeting Schedule

The Board of Directors meet the first and third Thursday of each month (except holidays), at 12:30 p.m., in the office of the District located at 13649 North Meyer Road, Rathdrum ID 83858.

Board Members

Tom Crimmins, Director/President
Curt Carney, Director/Secretary
Thomas Gwin, Director/Treasurer
Jack Hern, Director/Vice President
Scott Shellman, Director

The members of the Board are elected, or appointed, for six year terms which will expire as follows:

Curt Carney…………………05/16/2029
Tom Crimmins…………….05/20/2025
Thomas Gwin ……………..05/20/2027
Jack Hern……………………05/18/2027
Scott Shellman…………….05/18/2027

Office Staff

Paul Tucker, District Manager
Suzanne Scheidt, Chief Operating Officer
Karen Howell, Accountant IV
Robin Potts, Senior Customer Service Specialist
Dina Van Gelder, Customer Service Specialist II
Paula Asher, Customer Service Specialist I

Field Staff

Dave Duthie, Operations Supervisor

Water Dept.

Jared Felton, GIS Specialist
Joe Lutes, Water and Sewer Maintenance II
Robert Bush, Water and Wastewater II
Jack Armstrong, Water and Wastewater I
Colter Ray, Water and Wastewater I
Cody Wilson, Water and Wastewater I

Wastewater Dept.

Keenan Olenslager, Wastewater Operator II

Electrical Dept:

Dustin Veneklasen, Journeyman Electrician

Quiet Heroes of Your Water District

Cody Wilson

Water Operator – I was raised in Coeur d’Alene. After painting professionally for five years, I started my career as a water operator with the City of Coeur d’Alene. After obtaining my Distribution I license, I started with NKWSD at the beginning of April 2024 and plan to continue to advance in this field.

Man holding a large antler in the woods.

Colter Ray

Water and Wastewater I – Colter has years of experience in road construction, operating heavy equipment and water main line repair and installation. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time outdoors hunting and fishing with his wife and 2 kids.

Dave Duthie

He is currently the Operations Supervisor. Mr. Duthie is a journeyman electrician and holds a Drinking Water Distribution II license. He oversees the daily field operations in water, water treatment, wastewater treatment, and SCADA.

Dina Van Gelder

Customer Service Specialist II – Ms. Van Gelder manages the fire hydrant meter rentals for construction and government entities. She is responsible for the District’s billing program including delinquent notifications along with payment processing and customer assistance.

Dave Duthie in a black cap and gray hoodie smiling at the camera.

Dustin Veneklasen

Mr. Veneklasen is a journeyman electrician and holds Drinking Water Distribution I and Backflow Assembly Tester licenses. Mr. Veneklasen is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of electrical systems and pumping equipment.

Jack Armstrong

Water and Wastewater I – Jack Armstrong started working for North Kootenai Water and Sewer District on January 3, 2023. He has a Drinking Water Distribution I license.

Dave Duthie, a bearded man with glasses wearing a cap and jacket against a twilight outdoor backdrop.

Jared Felton

GIS Specialist – Mr. Felton holds Drinking Water Distribution II and Drinking Water Treatment II licenses.

Joe Lutes

Water and Sewer Maintenance II – I joined the North Kootenai Water District Team on March 5th, 2018, and since that time earned my Idaho Operator Water Distribution and Treatment Level I licenses.

Karen Howell

Accountant IV – Karen Howell started with North Kootenai Water District in May 2021, having made the move after serving 12 years with the largest Highway District in Kootenai County as the District Treasurer and Deputy Clerk.

Dave Duthie, a man with a beard smiling, wearing a high-visibility vest and a baseball cap.

Keenan Olenslager

Wastewater Treatment Operator – Keenan Olenslager began working at the District in December of 2020 with a background in construction. In a short time, Mr. Olenslager has received licenses in Drinking Water Distribution I, Drinking Water Treatment I, Wastewater Collection I and Wastewater Treatment OIT (Operator in Training).

Paul Tucker

District Manager – Mr. Tucker comes to North Kootenai Water and Sewer District as a certified water/wastewater professional with 30 years’ experience in economic infrastructure.

Woman smiling in front of a Christmas tree, possibly celebrating with Dave Duthie, a [relevant field] expert.

Paula Asher

She began working with the District in September of 2022 and holds the title of Customer Service I. She is the District’s first point of contact and assists customers with payment options, financial assistance, leak detection, etc.

Man wearing a black cap, fleece jacket, and neon shirt smiling at the camera in a Dave Duthie style.

Robert Bush

Water and Sewer Maintenance II – Mr. Bush came to the District with a background in construction. He has worked in every area of the field and is currently using his skills to update the District’s GIS mapping system and line locating practices.

Woman smiling for the camera outdoors in an SEO seminar organized by Dave Duthie.

Robin Potts

Senior Customer Service Specialist – She works with customers and/or contractors wanting new water and sewer connections. She manages the radio-read meter replacement program and was instrumental in the start-up of the District’s backflow program.

Suzanne Scheidt

Senior Compliance Specialist – Suzanne began her career in public health protection at the age of 8 as her father’s junior research assistant on his master’s thesis involving a contaminated landfill on the coast of New Jersey. Shortly after college, she was fortunate to get her foot in the door with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s, Coeur d’Alene Regional Office Drinking Water Program.