Announcing the 2023 Texas Water Leaders

A generational shift is occurring in the water workforce. Now more than ever, there is a need for succession planning, representative leadership, and trust across sectors. To help address that need, Texas Water Foundation created the Texas Water Leaders program in 2020, the first statewide leadership program for rising leaders in the water sector.

Being a leader in Texas water has never been more challenging. Beyond technical expertise, it requires effective communication, complex networks, and a deep understanding of the big picture. Texas Water Leaders is an annual cohort-based leadership program that provides water professionals with tools, training, and opportunities to become transformative leaders.

Since launching the program, we have graduated 60 Texas Water Leaders. Today, we are proud to announce the 2023 Texas Water Leader class:

Alexis Long, Trinity River Authority

Brandon Hilbrich, HDR Engineering, Inc.

Brittany Lee, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Cody Draper, INTERA Inc.

Cole Ruiz, Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C.

Connie Curtis, San Jacinto River Authority

Dacy Cameron, Aqua Water Supply Corporation

Erika Crespo, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Galen Roberts, North Texas Municipal Water District

Jessica Taylor, Texas Water Development Board

Jordan Hinton, Dallas Water Utilities

Julia Stanford, Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts

Lisa Latson Benton, Lower Colorado River Authority

Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Austin Water

Mindy Conyers, Texas Water Development Board

Odell Ward, North Plains Groundwater Conservation District

Paul Babb, Blanco Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District

Romie Martinez, El Paso County Water Control & Improvement District #4

Ross Brookbank, Copeville Special Utility District

Venus Price , Houston Public Works

To learn more, read their biographies here, or visit www.texaswater.org/water-leaders-program.

Beth Hood