2025 Award Winners

In our favorite feature of the year, the Association recognized its annual award winners, including:

Texas Water Association 81^st Annual Convention Dedication:
Jon Niermann (Vinson & Elkins LLP), former Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chairman and Commissioner

Leroy Goodson Leadership in Water Awards:
Hope Wells, San Antonio Water System
Brian Sledge, Sledgelaw Group, PLLC
Randy Palachek, Civitas Engineering Group, Inc.
Tom Ray, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN)

President’s Awards:
Dr. Kathy Alexander, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Kathleen Ligon, Texas Water Development Board
Julie Nahrgang, Water Environment Association of Texas

Honorary Life Memberships:
Karen Bondy, LCRA and Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority
Bob Brandes, Robert J. Brandes Consulting and TWA Past President
Linda Christie, Tarrant Regional Water District
Tom Gooch, Freese & Nichols, Inc.
Phil Kelley, Jefferson County Drainage District #7 and TWA Past President
Fred Milton, Riverbend Water Resources District

Texas Water Association Staff Appreciation Award:
In honor of her 25 years of service to the Association, we honored Texas Water Association Director of Administration, Finance, and Events Lisa Henley with our Staff Appreciation Award.

2025 Board Elections

During the 81st annual meeting of the Board of Directors, we welcomed one new board member and thanked those who stepped down from the board for their service. 

Irrigation Panel - Anthony Stambaugh, Hidalgo Co. Irrigation District #2 – 2026 was elected to fill the unexpired term of retiring board member Sonny Hinojosa.

For a list of the full TWCA Board of Directors, visit here.

Convention Presentations 

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Regional Discussion on One Water - Marisa Bruno (Hill Country Alliance), Robin Gary (New Braunfels Utilities), and Jonathan Stinson (Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority), moderated by Ian Taylor (Freese and Nichols, Inc.)

Economic Impacts of Insufficient Water Supply - Gabriel Collins (Rice University)

Reservoir Screening and FIRO in Texas - Bret Higginbotham (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), Glenn Clingenpeel (Trinity River Authority), Aaron Abel (Brazos River Authority), and Denis Qualls (City of Dallas), moderated by Carla Guthrie (Texas Water Development Board) 

KEYNOTE - Aaron Demerson (Texas Economic Development Corporation President and CEO)

Legislative Update - Sarah Kirkle (Texas Water Association)

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Panel Meetings

Redrawing the Line: How the North Texas Municipal Water District Changed the Boundary Between Texas and Oklahoma - David Kelly (North Texas Municipal Water District)

A Different Kind of Water War - Randy Peterson (San Jacinto River Authority)

Presentations

Biosolids and PFAS Update - Julie Nahrgang (Water Environment Association of Texas)

Case Law Update - Stefanie Albright (Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP), Cole Lempke (Baker Botts LLP), and Mary Martha Murphy (Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C.)

Friday, March 7, 2025

Committee Updates and Meetings

Endangered Species Committee

• Presentation from Committee Chair Glenn Clingenpeel (Trinity River Authority): Texas Lawsuit against Department of the Interior, Potential Impacts from the Change in Federal Administration, and The Palisades Wildfires, Endangered Species, and California Water 

Federal Affairs Committee

• How to Get a Project in WRDA - Julie Minerva (Carpi & Clay Government Relations)
• FEMA and Federal Levee Updates - Dan Delich (Dan Delich Consulting)

Water Quality Committee

• Updates from the 89th Legislative Session on Water Quality Bills of Interest - Julie Nahrgang (Water Environment Association of Texas)
• PFAS Panel: Technical Updates, Regulatory Developments, and Legal Considerations - Dan Opdyke (Anchor QEA, Inc.), Meg Pierce-Walsh (Plummer Associates, Inc.), and Jeffrey Reed (Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C.)

CLE Credit

COURSE TITLE: Texas Water Association Annual Convention 
COURSE DATE(S): March 5-7, 2025
COURSE LOCATIONS: Austin, TX
COURSE NO: 174272917

The Convention has been approved for up to 8.25 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for attorneys, as follows:

Thursday | March 6 (5.25 hours)

• General and Environmental Panel Meeting (1 hour)
• Navigation and Flood Control Panel Meeting OR River Authorities Panel Meeting (1 Hour)
• HNRC Chair Rep. Cody Harris (.25 hour)
• Biosolids and PFAS, Julie Nahrgang (.5 hour)
• TWA Legislative Update, Sarah Kirkle (.25 hour)
• TCEQ Commissioner Catarina Gonzales (.5 hour)
• SWARA Chair Sen. Charles Perry (.25 hour)
• TWDB Director Tonya Miller (.5 hour)
• Case Law Update, Stefanie Albright, Cole Lempke, and Mary Martha Murphy (1 hour)

Friday | March 7 (3.0 hours)

• Endangered Species Session (1 hour)
• Federal Affairs Session (1 hour)
• Water Quality (1 hour)

Course Certificate

For engineers, geoscientists, and other professionals who want to keep a record of continuing education, download this conference certificate with a copy of the conference program for your files. If you have any questions, please email Becky Arledge.