American Ground Water Trust * 50 Pleasant Street * Concord, NH 03301 - PDF document

American Ground Water Trust * 50 Pleasant Street * Concord, NH 03301 PH: 603-228-5444 Email: trustinfo@agwt.org Texas Aquifer Conference - June 9, 2016 - Austin, TX Professional background of presenters Dr. Robert E. Mace Deputy Executive Administrator, Water Science and Conservation Dr. Robert Mace leads a department of 70 scientists, engineers, and specialists dedicated to better understanding groundwater and surface water resources; advancing water conservation and innovative water technologies such as desalination, aquifer storage and recovery, reuse, and rainwater harvesting; and better preparing Texas for floods. Prior to joining the TWDB in 1999, Mace worked for almost nine years at the Bureau of Economic Geology at The University of Texas at Austin as a hydrologist and research scientist. He has a bachelor's degree in geophysics and a master's degree in hydrology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and a Ph.D. in hydrogeology from The University of Texas at Austin. Sarah Rountree Schlessinger, Executive Director, TX Alliance of Groundwater Districts, Austin, TX Sarah joined TAGD as the Executive Director in 2015. She previously worked at the Bandera County River Authority & Groundwater District, where she was the Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator. There, she was responsible for the research and development of management strategies in Texas' regional water planning, participated in local and regional groundwater planning efforts, and served as a liaison to other government agencies, stakeholder groups and elected officials. Sarah has experience with international non-profits with interest in water policy, and recently spent a year in peri- urban Haiti participating in the launch of an entrepreneurial alternative water infrastructure. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College in Political Geography and a Master of Science in Water Science, Policy and Management from Oxford University. Stefan Schuster, Water Resources Director, SWCA Environmental Consultants, Austin, TX Stefan Schuster joined SWCA Environmental Consultants as the Texas-Gulf Coast Water Resources Director. He will lead the water resource program for the company’s Texas and the Gulf Coast re gion operations, including offices in Arlington, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Tulsa, Oklahoma to expand their capabilities and capitalize on extensive project opportunities. Mr. Schuster has more than 25 years of experience in the Texas water resources market, including project management positions at the TWDB and the predecessor of TCEQ as well as several leading private industry firms. David Pyne, President, ASR Systems, Gainesville, FL David Pyne, PE, is recognized as the pioneer and leader of ASR technology, having developed this technology in Florida, elsewhere in the United States, and overseas during the past 35 years. He pioneered development of the ASR technology for storage of water through wells in fresh, brackish, or seawater aquifers to meet seasonal, long-term, or emergency demands and to achieve sustainable water supplies through underground storage in confined and unconfined aquifers. Mr. Pyne coined the term “Aquifer Storage Recovery” in1982 and is the sole author of the only book published on ASR, Aquifer Storage Recovery: A Guide to Groundwater Recharge Through Wells (ASR Press, 2005). John Cyrier, TX State Representative, House District 17, Lockhart, TX John Cyrier serves as the State Representative for HD 17, which includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Gonzales, Karnes and Lee Counties. After receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, John embarked on a career in commercial general contracting. He founded Sabre Commercial, Inc. in 2008 and under his leadership Sabre has been consistently ranked in the top-10 of the Austin Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” and “Fast 50” list of the fastest growing companies in Central Texas. He was nominated for the journal’s Best CEO a ward in 2014 John was appointed and then elected as Caldwell County Commissioner in 2010 and County Judge Pro-Tem until 2013. During his tenure, he focused his efforts on transportation, subdivision rules and regulations, and economic development. 1

Fred M. Blumberg, Project Manager, ARCADIS-US Inc., Austin, TX Mr. Blumberg leads his firm’s efforts to expand and develop water supplies for clients throughout Texas. Prior to joining Malcolm Pirnie/ARCADIS in 2007, Mr. Blumberg was deputy general manager and chief operating officer with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA). During his career with GBRA, he led the operations, engineering and construction management departments. For the last 8 years, he has been involved in a variety of water resources projects related to ASR, water supply planning, dam investigations and watershed master planning. Mr. Blumberg has both B.S. and Master of Agriculture degrees from Texas A&M University. Matt Webb, ASR Specialist/Geophysical Well Log Analyst, TWDB, Austin, TX Matt is the ASR expert point of contact in the TWDB’s Innovative Water Technology group. His primary role is to collect, evaluate, and disseminate data from available data sources in support of the advancement of ASR activities in the state. He also performs technical review and assessment of ASR proposals requesting funding from TWDB with a focus on the determination of feasibility and application of best practices. Additionally, Matt has the role of collecting and interpreting information from geophysical well logs and other data sources in support of the Brackish Resources Aquifers Characterization System (BRACS) initiative. Matt has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Water Management from Texas A&M University. Doug Draeger, Executive Director of Operations, New Braunfels Utilities, New Braunfels, TX Douglas Draeger joined the NBU Team as the Executive Director of Operations, on April 6, 2015. As Executive Director of Operations, Draeger is responsible for NBU’s Electric and Water Operations and Engineering Divisions, Water Plant & Wastewater Treatment, as well as the new division of Field Support Management. Draeger is an experienced professional with over 18 years of leadership in the utility industry, including municipal utilities. He previously served as the Assistant General Manager of Engineering & Operations for Alameda Municipal Power in California. Draeger has been involved in development of a Capital Infrastructure Program, AMI deployment, asset management, Smart Grid integration, GIS, SCADA, predictive maintenance, and development and leadership of a Change Management initiative. He has worked extensively in personnel management and development improving communications and inter-departmental cooperation. Brock Curry, Deputy General Manager, Edwards Aquifer Authority, San Antonio, TX Brock Curry joined the Edwards Aquifer Authority in October 1996, and was promoted to Deputy General Manager in 2012. Working closely with the General Manager, Brock oversees all aspects of EAA operations. Brock also serves as a liaison to the EAA Board of Directors to ensure staff is appropriately implementing the organization’s policies. Prior to joining the EAA, Brock was the General Fund Budget Manager for the City of Austin, Texas for over five years. Brock holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwestern University and a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Texas-LBJ School of Public Affairs. Lynn Short, Director of Public Works, City of Victoria, Victoria, TX Lynn Short is the Public Works Director for the City of Victoria. He has been employed by the City of Victoria for 24 years. He has a BAAS degree from the University of Houston-Victoria in Business Management and an AAS degree from the Texas State Technical Institute in Environmental Engineering. He has a Double A water and wastewater operator license from the TCEQ. Tim Andruss, GM, Victoria Co Groundwater Conservation District, Victoria, TX Mr. Andruss serves as the General Manager for Victoria County, Texana, Refugio, and the Calhoun County Groundwater Conservation Districts. In addition to his role at the districts, Mr. Andruss serves as a Vice Chair of the South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group (Region L), Chairman and Administrator for Groundwater Management Area 15, and representative on the South Central Texas Water Advisory Committee (SCTWAC). Prior to working in groundwater conservation, Mr. Andruss worked for the City of College Station, City of Irving, and City of Fort Worth with a focus on implementing geographic information systems (GIS) and infrastructure management systems for water utilities. 2