Fast forward six years to the Sept. 17 board meeting. That’s when Board President John Merchant announced that Wilder had been appointed as the interim general manager, although he didn’t go into detail.

Wilder said she was overjoyed by her selection to the new position.

“I hope to use the knowledge I have gained about the district during my tenure as the district secretary to bring equitable solutions to the challenges that face our community,” she said. “I will particularly focus on building reserves so the infrastructure can be replaced without undue burden to the residents.”

The district has technically been without a general manager since the board placed Mimi Morris on leave on Jan. 6. However, general manager duties, including overseeing staff and responding to emergencies, have been assumed by a Board Ad Hoc Committee since then.

Morris agreed to resign in May as part of a $375,000 settlement with the district, resolving her government claim that alleged retaliation, discrimination and harassment.

According to the temporary organization chart presented by Merchant at the Sept. 17 meeting, along with his comments, the Ad Hoc Committee now consists of Merchant and Director Bill Gere. They are overseeing four managers, including Wilder. The chart shows Wilder supervising employees from the security department, the IT manager and the interim district secretary. (See separate story.)

Wilder was asked to summarize her previous responsibilities. 

“As the district secretary, I was tasked with researching multiple aspects of the district’s history, which has given me an understanding of the elements that shaped our community,” she said. “Through great partnerships, the residents have benefited. I look forward to leading the team of professionals to serve the community."

Wilder was also asked to reflect on her six years with the district, during which she has served under four general managers and the Board Ad Hoc Committee. 

“I have seen many changes in leadership and have tried to learn from the strengths that each of them has brought to the position,” she said. “There has been a common theme in past leadership to set RMCSD on a solid footing, and I plan to continue that work.”

In a January 2020 interview with the River Valley Times, Wilder said taking the temporary job as the district interim secretary was “probably the luckiest thing that ever happened to me.”

Then-General Manager Mark Martin brought Wilder in after long-time District Secretary Suzanne Lindenfeld went on medical leave. When Lindenfeld later decided to retire, it created a vacancy and necessitated the posting of the job. Wilder aced her interview.

Martin announced her appointment as district secretary at the Jan. 15, 2020, meeting. 

“We liked our interim secretary and found someone who looked just like her,” he joked. “She had good references and a good interview. Lots of energy and lots of ideas.” 

Wilder grew up in Grass Valley and has always loved the feeling of a small town. 

“It is wonderful to return to the atmosphere of a small community, with the sense of neighborhood that I have found in Rancho Murieta,” she said in a 2020 interview. 

Wilder graduated from Sacramento State University with a degree in Recreation Administration, Parks, and Natural Resource Management. She went on to work as a district sales and marketing manager for the nation’s top dealer of Hot Spring Spas, a position she held for years. 

“This gave me a valuable education on the management of people and resources, marketing and event coordination, as we attended home shows throughout Northern California and the annual California State Fair,” she said. 

Wilder later moved to Boulder City, Nevada, where she worked as a research analyst for a public financial advisor. 

“This position not only gave me a flavor for the creation, sale and annual reporting required in the issuing of bonds, it also taught me valuable skills in extracting vital information concerning the entities requiring the bonds and accurate projection of revenues required to repay the bonds,” she said. 

After moving back to California, she became the executive assistant to the executive vice president of sales for a private mortgage banker. 

“I was there for seven years, supporting senior management, managing multiple calendars, correspondence, making travel arrangements, event coordination, preparing documents for executive briefings and acting as liaison for the sales team,” she said. 

Wilder said that all three positions helped prepare her for her new role as district secretary. 

“The one underlying theme in my employment career is the wonderful people I have worked with and the lasting friendships I have made,” she said. “I plan to continue that here and look forward to many years working with the district.” 

Wilder lives in Sacramento with her husband, who was her high school sweetheart. When they reconnected 23 years after graduation, they had six children between them. 

“They are all grown and out of the house, so we get to spend our time enjoying each other’s company,” she said. “We love all things Disney and attending events that allow us to enjoy our creativity.” 

They also make time for their three dogs: two Dachshunds and a Chihuahua mix.