La Cañada resident to receive Women in Business award

La Cañada Flintridge resident Diana Schulz, CEO of the water-conservation technology company Cyber Rain, will receive a Women in Business award next month from the area’s state representatives in recognition of her company’s positive impact on the environment.

State Assembly members Anthony Portantino (D - La Cañada) and Mike Gatto (D - Silver Lake) joined state Sen. Carol Liu (D - La Cañada) to recognize Schulz and 20 other businesswomen in their districts as role models.

Cyber Rain irrigation control systems use wireless computer technology to determine a landscape’s daily water needs, automatically adjusting to current weather conditions by accessing data over the Internet.

On hot summer day, sprinklers increase watering. On rainy days, they’re automatically shut off.

“Most people are not aware of how much water is wasted outdoors and how easy it is to conserve,” said Schulz, who took the helm at Cyber Rain in 2008.

More than 60% of the water used in La Cañada Flintridge does toward outdoor irrigation, according to local water agency officials.

Schulz was nominated for the award by longtime friend and neighbor Ginger Wilson, who said she saved as much as 35% on her home’s water bills after installing a Cyber Rain system.

“Diana is highly talented and has great business experience, but the thing that impresses me most is she applies her talent and experience to doing something good for the environment,” Wilson said.

Descanso Gardens also uses Cyber Rain to irrigate its rose garden, said Schulz, who was previously in charge of Internet sales for Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts stores and also worked in corporate development for Universal Studios.

Liu, Portantino and Gatto will host the Women in Business awards luncheon on July 15 at Castaways restaurant in Burbank.