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

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

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

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

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