About Us


Green DeWitt Drainage District is governed by a 3-member Board of Directors, appointed by DeWitt County Commissioners Court for two-year terms. This 3-member board is responsible for setting policy and appoints a General Manager who oversees operations.

President – Doug Sethness (Retired)

Doug was first appointed to the board in July 2016. An accomplished civil engineer, he earned his bachelor’s degree (with honors) and master’s degree at the University of Texas. Now retired, he served for 37 years in the U.S. Army. He designed and developed seaports around the world, from master planning through to construction. His engineering knowledge and leadership abilities have been invaluable to the District.

Doug is a Cuero transplant, having moved to the area in 1999. Doug currently spends his “spare” time renovating a historic home in Cuero. He has two daughters and one granddaughter, all of whom live in Washington State.

Vice President – Larry Coppedge

Larry was first appointed to the board in March 2023.  He graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Political Science and earned his MBA from Central Oklahoma University.  After college, he joined the USAF as a communications officer.  He left the USAF after four years as a Captain.

Larry pursued his career in the petroleum industry by joining Texaco Inc. for nine years as a sales representative.  He then joined Mobil Oil Corporation as a Professional Landman and met the certification requirements for Certified Professional Landman (CPL).  After spending 35 years in the industry, he retired from Exxon Mobil Corporation in 2005.

Larry and wife Linda (Bauer) were both born and raised in Cuero.  They were excited to move back to Cuero in 2005 for their retirement years.  Larry and Linda were married for 55 years.  They have two grown children, a granddaughter, and a great-granddaughter.  Linda passed away in 2021.

Larry is an active member of the First Baptist Church and has served on numerous committees there.  He is an avid golfer, and he has served on the board of Cuero Country Club and Cuero Golf Association.  He also enjoys working out at the Cuero Wellness Center.

Secretary – John “Johnny” Varela

Johnny joined DCDD1 in May 2021. A lifelong Cuero native, Johnny served as a Fire Fighter for the City of Cuero for thirty-five years before retiring in February 2020. Johnny attended Coastal Bend College in Beeville, and later received his Fire Fighter certification from Texas A&M. Johnny has spent his life in service to his community in many ways; he is also involved with Kolbe Prison Ministries at the Stevenson Unit and at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. During his retirement, Johnny spends his time as a school bus driver for Cuero ISD and for St. Michael’s Catholic School.

Johnny is a family man who has been married to his wife Patricia for over twenty years, with whom he has raised five children and grandchildren. In his free time, Johnny enjoys playing golf, pickleball and traveling.

General Manager – David Guajardo

David Guajardo joined GDDD in December 2023.  David, a thoughtful native of Cuero, Tx, brings over a decade of invaluable operations and safety management expertise he gained in the oil and gas industry. His journey is a testament to resilience and dedication.

Beyond the corporate realm, David has served as a Firefighter/EMT and Master Peace Officer, demonstrating his commitment to public safety. His notable accomplishments include safeguarding communities and responding to emergencies with unwavering professionalism.

David holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, he underwent rigorous public safety training at Texas A&M Engineering Extension and Victoria College, solidifying his skills and knowledge.

As a family man, David cherishes moments with his fiancée and two teenagers. His community spirit extends to supporting Gobbler football and contributing to the all-sports booster club. A fitness enthusiast, he finds solace in working out at the Cuero Wellness Center, maintaining a balanced and active lifestyle.

Office Manager – Pat Trevino

Pat joined GDDD as office manager in December 2022.  She has over a decade of combined government employment working with city, county, and the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission.  As a Program Specialist for GCRPC she served as a compliance auditor for seven counties.  She attended Victoria Community College, University of Houston-Victoria, and Austin Peay State University.

She was publisher of The Border Advocate and later served as a consultant for The Starr-County Town Crier.  She volunteered as an ESL Instructor for several years helping many of her students receive their GED and providing guidance to these same students who went on to graduate college.

She has served as a board member for H.O.P.E. (Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education).  And as a board member of the Adult Literacy Council in Clarksville, Tennessee.

She married her high school sweetheart, and they have three daughters, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Pat is a student of genealogy with her main focus on the original Spanish settlers of Texas.  She has held numerous workshops and conferences dedicated to her genealogy research.

Crew Foreman – Ignacio “Nacho” Granado Jr.

Ignacio joined DCDD1 in August 2019. He has a lifetime of experience in myriad work environments ranging from oil field driver to insurance salesman, to customer service associate. Skills include welding, painting, operating heavy machinery and countless other maintenance related expertise he has acquired in his previous positions. His diverse career has been an incalculable resource to the District.

Born in Seymour, Texas and raised in Emporia, Kansas, Ignacio moved to Victoria in 2008 to work for the City of Victoria for ten years before starting his own handyman business. A family man at heart, Ignacio spends his “free” time volunteering at his church working different events or spending quality time with his children and grandchildren.

Find our website to be useful? Please Share!