Photo: Abby and her two sons check out tidepools at the ocean.
Accounting Admin Clerk Abby Villegas celebrates her eight-year work anniversary with Yuba Water Agency this month (“time flies when you’re having fun,” she says)! During her time at the agency, Abby has become an integral part of the finance team, where she processes accounts payable, protecting the agency’s assets and ensuring the agency’s operating costs stay on-track. Scroll to learn more about Abby.
What does your average day look like? What are some of your essential duties?
Most days start with me going through all incoming mail and emails, initiating the transactions through PN3 (the agency's procurement software), routing for approvals, and finalizing in GP (the agency's accounting software). I mainly support the accounting team but also work closely with purchasing, as the work does overlap, especially when contracts and procurement guidelines are involved.
I’m also on the agency’s employee engagement and safety committees. So, one day I could be in the office processing payments and the next I could be meeting with the engage team to figure out new ways to improve connection across the agency to keep employees motivated and engaged. Or I could be performing site inspections at our various locations with the safety committee to make sure we stay in compliance or provide input on improvement.
Photo: Abby and Yuba Water staff pose for a group photo during the agency's 50th anniversary celebration.
What do you enjoy most about working for Yuba Water?
When I first started working for the agency, we weren’t involved much in the community. But that’s changed dramatically as we’ve grown in recent years and added new staff. It’s amazing to know that our hydropower generation, water deliveries and community grants and loans are really making a difference. I especially love that we’ve expanded our focus to include water education for the kids and the Bill Shaw rescue grants for rescue and law enforcement. It is very satisfying for me to see the presentations on projects and to hear about the contributions of our grants. Knowing that I had a small part in that transaction feels really great!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I’m a very family-focused person and I spend most of my free time with my family. I love being outdoors, in my garden and cooking. I’m a mom, with one boy that eats anything and the other is very picky, so I cook a little bit of everything. Chile verde and strawberry mango margaritas are my specialty, (my boys don’t get margs, they get fruit smoothies). A special bond I share with my boys is superheroes and Star Wars. We use some of our free time to watch these movies over and over again.
Do you have any goals that you’d like to share for the new year, or things you’re looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to being able to get back together as a team and continue to improve some of our processes at the agency.
What are three words you would use to describe Yuba Water?
Hydropower, irrigation, community.