2025 Water for Texas Conference: Full Schedule

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8:30am CST

Nature-based Solutions: New Shades of Green Infrastructure

Wednesday January 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST

(1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)

Nature-based solutions can build a community's flood resiliency, enhance water quality, and improve the overall quality of life in a watershed. This panel will provide an update on the TWDB‘s statewide guidance manual on the application of nature-based solutions for flood mitigation in Texas, discuss opportunities and challenges of implementing these solutions, and share insights and experiences from practitioners across the state.

Speakers

Krista Bethune Melnar, P.E.

Stormwater Practice Leader, Freese and Nichols, Inc.

Krista Bethune Melnar serves as the stormwater practice leader at Freese and Nichols, where she is responsible for advancing a portfolio of stormwater and flood resilience solutions across the country. She has 25 years of experience addressing water resource challenges and implementing... Read More →

Charriss York

Program Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Charriss York is a program director at Texas Community Watershed Partners (TCWP), a program of the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Disaster Assessment and Recovery Unit. Charriss leads the Green Infrastructure for Texas team working with communities to find nature-based solutions... Read More →

Jonathan Holley

Environmental Services Department Manager, Harris County Flood Control District

Jonathan Holley has worked at the Harris County Flood Control District since 2009 in several positions related to stormwater quality and environmental regulatory compliance. His current responsibilities include managing the district’s environmental services and mitigation banking... Read More →

Joshua Oyer

Coastal Resiliency Program Manager, Texas General Land Office

Josh is the coastal resiliency program manager at the Texas General Land Office with 17 years of experience in stakeholder engagement and outreach. He has worked for several agencies throughout his career including the Texas Water Development Board, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department... Read More →

Kelley Rich, P.E.

Senior Water Resources Engineer, Texas Water Development Board

Kelley is a water resources engineer with the Flood Science and Community Assistance Division at the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). She has worked on flood modeling and mapping efforts, flood risk reduction studies, and stream restoration projects in both the private and public... Read More →

Wednesday January 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST
Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

Breakout Session, Water Supply and Flood Planning: Navigating a Resilient Tomorrow

8:30am CST

Pass the Salt: Deciphering Desalination

Wednesday January 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST

Zlotnik 5/6

Brackish groundwater and seawater are largely untapped water sources with great potential. As more communities consider brackish and/or seawater desalination as a strategy to meet future water needs, there are some challenges to overcome. This panel will examine the role of desalination in Texas' water future and the technologies and innovations that shape its path to implementation.

Speakers

Charles Ortiz, P.E.

District Engineer, Laguna Madre Water District

Charles Ortiz is the district engineer for the Laguna Madre Water District, implementing water and sewer system improvements since 2011. Job duties have included capital planning, design, and construction management for water treatment and distribution as well as wastewater treatment... Read More →

Tom Pankratz

Editor and Consultant, Global Water Intelligence

Tom Pankratz is a Houston-based independent consultant and the editor of Global Water Intelligence’s weekly water desalination report. Formerly a vice president of CH2M Hill (now Jacobs), and a director with U.S. Filter/Veolia Water, he has been a desalter since 1980 and has served... Read More →

Art Ruiz

Chief Plant Manager, El Paso Water

Art has over 43 years of experience in water treatment and operations, including eight years in shipboard water operations with the U.S. Navy, 20 years in surface water treatment, and 15 years in reverse osmosis and well operations. He has an associate degree in water technology from... Read More →

Wednesday January 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST
Zlotnik 5/6

Breakout Session, Innovation and Legacy: Embracing New Solutions

8:30am CST

The Water-Energy Nexus: Balancing Water Needs with Hydrogen Production

Wednesday January 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST

Room 103, Meeting Level 1

Water is used in all phases of energy production and electricity generation, and hydrogen is expected to play a vital role in the future of energy systems. Texas is well positioned to lead the nation in hydrogen development with federal funding spurring new hydrogen plants in water-stressed areas of the state. Panelists will discuss hydrogen production's impacts on water resources and systems.

Speakers

Emily Beagle

Research Associate, University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Emily Beagle is a research associate in the Webber Energy Group at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently working on energy policy and pathways to decarbonization of the global energy system with a focus on the deployment and use of hydrogen to reduce emissions in... Read More →

Jason Coleman, P.E.

General Manager, High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1

Jason has worked in groundwater management for more than 25 years and has served as manager of the High Plains Water District since 2013. He is supported by an elected board of directors and excellent staff at the organization. Jason has a bachelor of science in agricultural engineering... Read More →

Margaret Cook, Ph.D.

Deputy Director of Climate, Equity, and Resilience, Houston Advanced Research Center

Dr. Margaret Cook is the deputy director of climate, equity, and resilience at Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC). In this role, she develops and manages HARC’s climate equity initiative and supports community engagement and community benefits priorities within HARC projects... Read More →

Wednesday January 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST
Room 103, Meeting Level 1

Breakout Session, Business of Water: Integrating Industry Insights

9:45am CST

Could you, Would you, Should you? Perspectives on Groundwater Exportation

Wednesday January 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CST

Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

(1 hour MCLE available, approved by the State Bar of Texas)

From dry, arid hills to humid bayous and wetlands, Texas' landscape represents 10 diverse ecoregions and massive variations in water availability, population, and development. This panel will deliberate how water can be moved to where it’s needed as well as the feasibility and implications that should be considered, such as future needs and impacts to local economies.

Speakers

Jeremy Mazur

Director of Natural Resources and Infrastructure Policy, Texas 2036

Jeremy serves as the director of infrastructure and natural resources policy for Texas 2036. Before joining Texas 2036, Jeremy’s legislative career began in the late 20th century as a policy analyst with the Sunset Advisory Commission. From there, he served as chief of staff for... Read More →

Natalie Ballew, P.G.

Director of Groundwater, Texas Water Development Board

Natalie Ballew is the director of the Groundwater Division at the Texas Water Development Board, which collects, interprets, and provides accurate and objective information on the groundwater resources of Texas to citizens, groundwater resource managers, policy makers, and lawmakers... Read More →

Natasha Martin

Attorney, Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody, PC

Natasha’s practice focuses on administrative and regulatory litigation with an emphasis in environmental and utility law. She has experience counseling clients on regulatory permitting and enforcement on air, water, and waste issues. Natasha has represented clients obtaining electric... Read More →

Shannon Rutherford

Partner, Terrill & Waldrop

Shannon S. (Shan) Rutherford is a partner at Terrill & Waldrop, where his practice focuses on groundwater supply project development and permitting. Shan also serves as general and special counsel for numerous special utility districts and nonprofit water supply corporations, representing... Read More →

Wednesday January 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CST
Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

Breakout Session, Water Supply and Flood Planning: Navigating a Resilient Tomorrow

9:45am CST

Dr. Ecosystem: Improving Health and Providing Benefits

Wednesday January 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CST

Room 103, Meeting Level 1

(1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)

Ecosystem restoration projects can improve the health of watersheds and provide measurable benefits to communities, even as development and population growth put a strain on natural resources and the environment. This panel of experts will explore the broad ways ecosystem services and collaborations bring value to Texas and the economy.

Speakers

Matthew Berg

Chief Executive Officer and Principal Scientist, Simfero

Dr. Matthew Berg leads Simfero, a science-based research and strategy firm. For more than 20 years, he has worked on diverse water issues across public, private, and academic sectors. Matthew has briefed U.S. Congress delegations, had his work cited in reports guiding key legislation... Read More →

Vanessa Puig-Williams

Senior Director of Climate Resilient Water Systems, Environmental Defense Fund

Vanessa Puig-Williams is a senior director on the climate resilient water systems team at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where she leads EDF’s efforts to advance sustainable groundwater management across the southwest. Before joining EDF, Vanessa served as executive director... Read More →

Karl Flocke

Water Resources Program Leader, Texas A&M Forest Service

Karl Flocke serves as the water resources and ecosystem services program leader for the Texas A&M Forest Service. In this capacity, he and his team promote healthy forest and woodland ecosystems and the countless benefits that they provide. He has a bachelor of science in renewable... Read More →

Sam Marie Hermitte

Assistant Deputy Executive Administrator of Water Science and Conservation, Texas Water Development Board

Sam Marie Hermitte’s responsibilities at the Texas Water Development Board include legislative implementation, drought policy, flood priority research projects, strategic planning, and such special initiatives as the development of the Texas Water Data Hub and TexasFlood.org. Additionally... Read More →

Wednesday January 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CST
Room 103, Meeting Level 1

Breakout Session, Science, Technology, and Data: Revolutionizing Water Management and Collaboration

9:45am CST

Technoloogy Toolbox: Water Management in the Digital Age

Wednesday January 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CST

Zlotnik 5/6

This panel will examine the potential of AI and the adoption of digital tools in water management. Many industries are considering the integration of digital twin technology, drones, and other innovations to solve complex issues while recognizing the need for effective data management and robust cybersecurity. Experts will discuss the risks of technological stagnation and share practical advice for embracing digital advancements.

Speakers

Greg Eyerly

Houston Water Director, Houston Public Works

Greg Eyerly assumed leadership of Houston Water in November 2023. After serving in the Army, Greg graduated from Portland State University with an undergraduate degree in general science and has a master’s in business from Washington State University. He has over 30 years of water... Read More →

Barry Liner, Ph.D., P.E.

Chief Technology Officer, The Water Council

Dr. Barry Liner has been fueling his passion for water innovation by mentoring young global entrepreneurs at UNLEASH Innovation Lab, promoting startups at the Water Council, and having the good fortune to work with some of the best water minds during his time as chief technology officer... Read More →

Richard Loeffler

Client Solutions Manager, Xylem

Rich Loeffler has worked in the water sector for 17 years and currently serves as a client solutions manager for Xylem's data and intelligence offerings. He's responsible for collaborating with utility partners and clients to develop wide ranging solutions to provide operational data... Read More →

Wednesday January 29, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CST
Zlotnik 5/6

Breakout Session, Innovation and Legacy: Embracing New Solutions