2025 Water for Texas Conference: Full Schedule

9:00am CST

Back to the Innovation Future: Chief Innovation Officers Behind the Wheel

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST

Investing in innovation can help the water sector compete with tomorrow's growth and lay the foundational framework to inspire innovative thinking. Hear from chief innovation officers at forward-thinking water utilities and learn how they’re driving opportunities for innovation to improve effectiveness, meet workforce needs and expectations, and reduce costs.

Speakers

Robert Bornhofen, Ph.D.

Director of Innovation, DC Water

As the innovation leader for DC Water, Dr. Robert Bornhofen is tasked with formulating and executing a comprehensive strategy across the entire organization. As an academic, Robert teaches innovation strategy at Cornell University and the master of business administration graduate... Read More →

Tonya Miller

Board Member, Texas Water Development Board

Tonya Miller was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Water Development Board in September 2024. She has more than 20 years of experience in Texas state government focused on energy and environmental issues. She previously served as the chief executive officer and public... Read More →

Tanja Rauch-Williams, Ph.D., P.E.

Chief Innovation Officer, Metro Water Recovery

Dr. Tanja Rauch-Williams serves as the chief innovation officer for Metro Water Recovery, which provides wholesale wastewater services to approximately 2.2 million people in the Denver metropolitan area. Tanja brings more than 20 years of experience in process engineering, modeling... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Room 103, Meeting Level 1

Breakout Session, Innovation and Legacy: Embracing New Solutions

9:00am CST

Environmental Transactions: Evaluating the Texas Water Trust

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST

Room 104, Meeting Level 1

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

Increasing water scarcity has contributed to declining streamflow, aquifer levels, and inflows to bay and estuary systems that threaten Texas freshwater and estuarine ecosystems. The Texas Water Trust is a tool to increase voluntary environmental flow protections but has experienced limited success in its nearly 30 years. Most recently, the 87th Legislature (2021) authorized the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to encourage and facilitate dedications of water rights to the Trust. This panel will provide an overview of the Texas Water Trust, shedding light on its development and challenges, and discuss future opportunities to achieve its goals.

Speakers

Jennifer Walker

Director for the Texas Coast and Water Program, National Wildlife Federation

Jennifer Walker is the director for the Texas Coast and Water Program at the National Wildlife Federation. She has more than 20 years of experience focusing on statewide water policy issues with an emphasis on state and regional water planning, urban water management, and bay and... Read More →

Marty Kelly

Water Resources Program Coordinator, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Marty Kelly has worked for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in the water resources program since 2015 and has served as the program coordinator since June 2022. He has been involved in several water resource projects including recently overseeing dedications to the Texas Water... Read More →

Myron Hess

Attorney, Law Office of Myron Hess PLLC

Myron Hess is a consultant and attorney in private practice working primarily on issues related to water. Myron has a long history of working on water-related issues in Texas on behalf of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the National Wildlife Federation, as well as various... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Room 104, Meeting Level 1

Breakout Session, Business of Water: Integrating Industry Insights

9:00am CST

Reuniting the Hydrologic Cycle: Groundwater-Surface Water Interaction

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST

Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

Groundwater and surface water are interconnected and interactive in many parts of Texas. However, this relationship is not always reflected in how we measure, manage, and allocate our water resources, from water rights and laws to planning to technical tools; these waters are treated differently. What can we do to better understand the intimate connection between our aquifers, lakes, and rivers? Join this discussion to explore the challenges of managing separated waters and the opportunities to reunite the hydrologic cycle to ensure a secure water future for Texas.

Speakers

Robert Mace, Ph.D., P.G.

Executive Director, Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Robert Mace is the executive director and chief water policy officer of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a professor of practice in the Department of Geography at Texas State University. Robert has more than 30 years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, stakeholder... Read More →

Carlos Rubinstein

Principal, RSAH2O, LLC

Carlos Rubinstein is the principal member of RSAH2O, LLC, an environmental consulting firm with a strong emphasis on water issues. He has served as an expert witness on various environmental cases and has published several peer-reviewed articles on Texas water regulatory and policy... Read More →

Alan Day

General Manager, Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District

Alan was born and raised in Brownwood, Texas and has been a proud agriculturalist his entire life. He has served as the general manager of the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District since 2012. He has a master of science in animal science from Texas A&M University, and was... Read More →

John T. Dupnik, P.G.

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

John Dupnik joined the Texas Water Development Board in 2018 and oversees programs responsible for providing water science and data to support water supply and flood planning in Texas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and geology from Texas State University... Read More →

Sharlene Leurig

Managing Partner, Fluid Advisors

Sharlene Leurig is the founder and managing partner of Fluid Advisors. She was the founding chief executive officer of Texas Water Trade, a nonprofit that works to catalyze water transactions for people and nature. She served as board chair and interim chief executive officer of Vida... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

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

9:00am CST

The Past, Present, and Future of Direct Potable Reuse in Texas

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST

Zlotnik 5/6

According to the 2022 State Water Plan, reuse accounted for nearly 4 percent of total water supplies for Texas in 2020 and is expected to grow to approximately 14 percent by 2070. Implementing direct potable reuse contributes significantly toward a sustainable water future for Texas. Learn how some Texas communities have implemented this water supply strategy and explore critical factors that impact its success.

Speakers

Ellen McDonald, PhD, PE

Vice President of Operations, Plummer

Ellen serves as the vice president of operations and the water planning practice leader at Plummer. She has more than 35 years of experience in the areas of water reuse and water supply planning. In addition to her involvement in the planning and implementation of numerous reuse projects... Read More →

Allison Strube, P.E.

Chairwoman, Region 9 Upper Colorado Regional Flood Planning Group

Allison Strube joined the Colorado River Municipal Water District in September 2022. She began her career as a project engineer for the City of San Angelo in 2012, then became the assistant director of utilities, and in 2018 she was promoted to the director of water utilities. Allison... Read More →

Gilbert Trejo, P.E.

Vice President of Operations and Technical Services, El Paso Water

Gilbert Trejo oversees engineering, operations, and technical services at El Paso Water. He previously served as chief technical officer and chief operations officer for treatment and production. Trejo is also a past chair and former board member for the WateReuse Association and... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CST
Zlotnik 5/6

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

10:30am CST

Bridging Data Silos: Collaboration in the Water Sector

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST

Room 104, Meeting Level 1

In a state where we are continuously facing critical water issues, imagine the future we could unlock with better decision-making through data and collaboration. Reliable data allows us to work with greater certainty, efficiency, and impact. Find out how these panelists are using water data to make informed decisions and, more importantly, how they are building partnerships to make accessing data easier.

Speakers

Gregory Waller

Service Coordination Hydrologist, National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast Center

Greg Waller graduated from Texas A&M University in 1992 with a bachelor of science in meteorology. He joined the National Weather Service as an intern in May 1994 and transferred to the West Gulf River Forecast Center in December 2000. His duties include serving as the liaison to... Read More →

Taylor Christian

Water Data Scientist and Coordinator, Texas Water Development Board

Taylor Christian is a water data scientist and the data lead for the development of the Texas Water Data Hub, an intuitive website designed to index, document, search, and access water data in Texas. Taylor guides and supports programs across the state to implement FAIR (findable... Read More →

Ben Eldredge

Executive Director, Cibolo Conservancy

Ben Eldredge serves as the executive director of the Cibolo Conservancy, which emphasizes preservation of natural resources through conservation policy and conservation easements. Ben also serves on the board of directors for the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District. As a public... Read More →

Stacy Timmons

Associate Director of Hydrogeology, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

Stacy Timmons is an associate director of hydrogeology programs at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, the state geologic survey. As a hydrogeologist working with the Bureau since 2004, she has helped build the aquifer mapping and monitoring program, launched the... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Room 104, Meeting Level 1

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

10:30am CST

Filtered Down: Exploring Wastewater Reclamation for Aquifer Management

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST

Zlotnik 5/6

Water scarcity is one of the greatest challenges we face today, requiring a variety of approaches to anticipate and meet the needs of future generations. Ongoing drought, increased water demand, and population growth continue to stress aquifer and groundwater supplies across the state. Join panelists to discuss how pairing reclaimed wastewater with aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery could address mounting water demands.

Speakers

Lorrie Council, P.G.

Water Policy and Underground Injection Control Manager, Ground Water Protection Council

Lorrie Council joined the Ground Water Protection Council in 2022 as the water policy and underground injection control (UIC) manager, with a national focus on water and underground injection control regulatory programs. Lorrie works to support state agency regulatory programs nationwide... Read More →

Justin Mattingly

Water Reuse Program, Environmental Protection Agency

Justin Mattingly is a board-certified environmental scientist with the water reuse program in the Office of Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He works on coordinating water reuse activity across the agency and the implementation of the national water reuse action... Read More →

Michael Milczarek

Program Director, GeoSystems Analysis, Inc.

Mike Milczarek has more than 30 years of experience in developing, implementing, and managing vadose zone, hydrogeologic, and geochemical studies. His technical expertise includes groundwater recharge processes, large scale field instrumentation and monitoring, modeling surface water-groundwater... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Zlotnik 5/6

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

10:30am CST

The One Water Movement: Gaining Momentum in Texas

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST

Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

One Water is a holistic management approach that works to utilize every drop of water and is making strides in Texas. Attend this session to learn how One Water applications can benefit your water system, your community, and the state's overall water supplies. Explore current One Water trends and the vision for a sustainable water future beyond our lifetimes.

Speakers

Marisa Bruno

Water Program Manager, Hill Country Alliance

Marisa Bruno is the water program manager at Hill Country Alliance, where she works with local partners, including city and county officials, groundwater conservation districts, and grassroots water advocacy groups, to promote policies and projects that advance water supply resilience... Read More →

Mami Hara

Chief Executive Officer, US Water Alliance

Mami Hara is the chief executive officer of the US Water Alliance, a national nonprofit advancing policies and programs that build a sustainable water future for all. Mami’s experience was earned in public sector, private practice, and nonprofit roles in which she guided award-winning... Read More →

Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E.

Director, Austin Water

Shay Ralls Roalson became the director of Austin Water in January 2023. She leads a team of 1,400 employees committed to providing high-quality drinking water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services to more than 1 million people in the Austin metropolitan area.

Jenna Walker

Director of Watershed Services, Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Jenna Walker is the director of the watershed services division of the Meadows Center at Texas State University. She currently manages several grant-funded programs, including the Clean Coast Texas initiative, the Blanco/Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan, and the Texas Stream... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

Breakout Session, Innovation and Legacy: Embracing New Solutions

10:30am CST

What Lies Beneath: Updates on Lead Inventories and Funding

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST

Room 103, Meeting Level 1

Attend this session for an update on the results of Texas' lead service line inventories, what to expect with the new lead and copper rule, and considerations around PFAS and other emerging contaminants. Panelists will share opportunities and success stories and discuss the path forward to fund and implement projects.

Speakers

Keelan Baldwin

Physical Scientist, Environmental Protection Agency

Keelan Baldwin serves as a physical scientist in the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund team, where she assists with lead service line replacements... Read More →

Jonathan Cuppett

Director of Water Quality Compliance, 120Water

Jonathan Cuppett is the director of water quality compliance for 120Water. With more than two decades of experience in the water sector, Jonathan works to ensure that the solutions offered by 120Water comply with various regulatory requirements. He has been active in research and... Read More →

Scott Galaway

Financial Assistance Outreach Specialist, Texas Water Development Board

Scott is an outreach specialist with the Texas Water Development Board who is responsible for promoting the agency’s state and federal financial assistance programs and helping utilities and communities learn about funding options for water-related infrastructure projects. Scott... Read More →

Laura Higgins

Manager, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Laura is serving as the manager for the drinking water standards section within the water supply division at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Her section ensures safe water for the people of Texas by determining public water system compliance with federal and state standards... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Room 103, Meeting Level 1

Breakout Session, Business of Water: Integrating Industry Insights

1:15pm CST

#Twinning: Mirroring the Real World with GIS

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST

Room 104, Meeting Level 1

(1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
From schools and water treatment plants to other essential infrastructure and flood mitigation applications, the ability to create a real-time digital representation—or digital twin—is revolutionizing many industries with this advanced technology. With new data to improve systems and planning, the opportunities for the water sector are endless. This discussion will look at examples of digital twins in action and explore the challenges and benefits of implementing this tool.
Moderator: Richard Wade, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Keith Owens, Fugro; Suzanne Pierce, Ph.D., Texas Disaster Information System; Elizabeth Savage, P.E., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Texas Community Watershed Partners Project Office

Speakers

Keith Owens

Commercial Director, Fugro

Keith Owens is the commercial director of remote sensing and mapping at Fugro. He has more than 28 years of experience acquiring, processing, and delivering geodata for three-dimensional mapping solutions.

Elizabeth Savage, P.E.

Project Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Texas Community Watershed Partners Project Office

Elizabeth Savage is the project director for the online Community Health and Resource Management (CHARM) digital platform development with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. CHARM is a mapping application that provides data, tools, and the digital environment to map and analyze... Read More →

Richard Wade

Deputy Executive Administrator of the Texas Geographic Information Office, Texas Water Development Board

Richard provides direction and management for all Texas Geographic Information Office (TxGIO) activities and programs and serves as the Geographic Information Officer for Texas. Richard is also the current president of the National States Geographic Information Council, an organization... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Room 104, Meeting Level 1

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

1:15pm CST

Give Them Something to Talk About: Extraordinary

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST

Room 103, Meeting Level 1

Attend this session to learn how unique approaches, such as artists-in-residence programs and wall murals, can build trust in the community, broaden your audience, and initiate conversations about the importance of water. Also learn how investing in an effective communications team can lead to impactful strategic outreach efforts that can improve public perception and help address sensitive subjects.

Speakers

Samantha Villegas

Principal Consultant, Raftelis

Sam is an award-winning communications and outreach executive with more than 30 years of experience in the areas of water, energy, solid waste, and recycling. She is a member of Raftelis’ strategic communications practice, helping utilities and local governments develop relationships... Read More →

John Gonzalez

Senior Manager of Communications, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

John Gonzalez has more than 24 years of experience serving the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District in Cleveland, 15 of which managing all @neorsd social media accounts. John contributes to the utility’s public outreach strategy and oversees its internal communications programs... Read More →

Kelley Dearing-Smith

Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing, Louisville Water

With a focus on visionary leadership and storytelling, Kelley Dearing-Smith is Louisville Water Company’s vice president of communications and marketing and past chair of the American Water Works Association’s public affairs council. In her 25-year career at Louisville Water... Read More →

Natalie DeRoock

Public Affairs Administrator, Tucson Water

Natalie DeRoock leads the Public Affairs Division at Tucson Water, where she serves as a senior advisor and champions innovative and sustainable strategies for water quality and resource management through her work in government affairs and strategic communications. She is a former... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Room 103, Meeting Level 1

Breakout Session, Innovation and Legacy: Embracing New Solutions

1:15pm CST

Investing Capital: PPPs Funding the Future

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST

Zlotnik 5/6

Rising costs of infrastructure, increasing water demands, and governmental constraints have led to greater need for non-traditional financing structures. Public-private partnerships have grown in popularity as a method to leverage private-sector funds to meet public needs, but there are few such partnerships in Texas to implement imperative water projects. This session will explore how Texas communities can pursue collaborations to develop water infrastructure projects and how project risks and responsibilities can be negotiated.

Speakers

Stephen Auton-Smith

Senior Managing Director, Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors, LLC

Stephen leads Ernst & Young’s environmental infrastructure team and has more than 20 years of experience advising owners and developers on infrastructure projects in the water, sanitation, and energy sectors. He has a strong record in financial and commercial structuring, procurement... Read More →

Michael Esparza

City Manager, City of Alice

Michael Esparza has served as the city manager of Alice since 2018. His experience in public administration includes more than 11 years as an elected city council member, including four years serving as mayor pro tem. He also has business experience in such industries as insurance... Read More →

Michael Irlbeck

Director of Business Development, EPCOR

Since 2015, Michael has been responsible for developing private investment opportunities for EPCOR in the United States. Most recently, Michael originated the state-of-the-art industrial water supply and water reclamation projects serving Samsung’s new $45 billion semiconductor... Read More →

Jorianne Jernberg

Director of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act management division, Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency

Jorianne Jernberg is the director of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act management division where she is spearheading the implementation of a federal infrastructure bank at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency overseeing the origination, underwriting, negotiation... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Zlotnik 5/6

Breakout Session, Business of Water: Integrating Industry Insights

1:15pm CST

Leading the Way: A Texas-Sized Flood Planning Effort

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST

Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

(1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)

Texas leads the nation with its groundbreaking inaugural state flood plan. The unique, bottom-up process has revealed important data about flood risk, solutions, and implementation costs. This panel will discuss the plan’s flood risk management recommendations aimed at reducing loss of life and property due to flooding and will compare practices from other states and abroad.

Speakers

Travis Pruski

Chief Operations Officer, Nueces River Authority

Travis Pruski has experience as a public official and a public administrator. After graduating with a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Texas in 2002, Travis returned home to Poth, Texas, where he served as mayor from 2004 to 2013. In 2017, he was appointed by the... Read More →

Tina Petersen, Ph.D., P.E.

Executive Director, Harris County Flood Control District

Dr. Tina Petersen is the executive director for the Harris County Flood Control District, serving the nation's third-largest county with a population of more than 4.5 million residents. She has served in this role since January 2022, when she was unanimously appointed to the position... Read More →

Bee Kothuis

Chief Representative, Netherlands Business Support Office, Texas

Bee Kothuis is a design anthropologist serving as the Netherlands Business Support Office chief representative for the Netherlands, which is based in Houston. Before moving to Texas in 2021, Bee facilitated multidisciplinary collaborative projects focusing on water management, hydraulic... Read More →

Jack Krolikowski

Flood Planning Director, American Flood Coalition

Jack Krolikowski is the flood planning director for the American Flood Coalition, where he works to promote risk-informed flood planning at all levels of government. Jack was previously the deputy state hazard mitigation officer in Georgia, where he coordinated natural hazard mitigation... Read More →

Reem Zoun, P.E.

Director of Flood Planning, Texas Water Development Board

Reem is the assistant deputy executive administrator of the office of planning at the Texas Water Development Board, and she led the effort to develop Texas’ first state flood plan that was adopted in August 2024. She has more than 23 years of private and public sector experience... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm CST
Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

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

8:30am CST

Nature-based Solutions: New Shades of Green Infrastructure

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

Amphitheater 204, Meeting Level 2

(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