Our 32 Committees

For more information on our committees, email admin@weat.org

Join Committee

Knowledge

Dedicated to the advancement of the various facets of the water environment profession.

Asset Management

Purpose

Promote and support the practice of asset management among all members of WEAT and WEF through the following endeavors:

  • Facilitate member education through case studies, seminars/webinars, speakers, papers, and other research.
  • Encourage members in the practice of Asset Management in their organizations, including stakeholder education, public outreach, change management programs, etc.
  • Study and disseminate information to the membership regarding best practices, technologies, and practical applications.
  • Collaborate with other organizations (such as other WEF Chapter Asset Management Committees) to identify and develop standardization to help promote the practice of Asset Management.

Members

27

Committee Chair
John D'Antoni
(713) 988-5732
DAntoniJm@bv.com
Committee Vice Chair
Jeff Masek
Jeff.Masek@aecom.com
Committee Page

Biosolids Management

Purpose

Promote effective and safe treatment and reuse or disposal of biosolids by providing educational opportunities and peer network building.

Members

47

Committee Chair
Matt Berg, Co-Chair
(512) 314-3180
Matt.Berg@jacobs.com

Caitlin Ruff, Co-Chair
ruffc2@bv.com
Committee Vice Chair
Noe Martinez
Noe.Martinez2@austintexas.gov
Committee Page

Collection Systems

Purpose

To educate and inform the Wastewater Collection Systems Industry regarding trends in collection system management, maintenance and regulatory issues.


Members

42

Committee Chair
Raghavender Nednur
raghavender.nednur@houstontx.gov
(832) 395-4935

Derek Schwanke
DTSchwanke@GarverUSA.com
(682) 225-1181
Committee Page

Construction

Purpose

Members

15

Committee Chair
Lars Erickson
lerickson@mccarthy.com
Committee Vice Chair
Craig West
craig.west@victaulic.com
Committee Page

Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls

Purpose

Provide a forum for the electrical and instrumentation professionals within WEAT to promote the education and growth of its members in the design, installation and maintenance of electrical and instrumentation systems.

Members

23

Committee Chair
Sean McMillan
(713) 777-5337
semcmillan@quiddity.com

Sahar Saffar
(469) 676-8498
ssaffar@ardurra.com
Committee Page

Hydraulic Modeling - Collection Systems Subcommittee

Purpose

To create a community of modelers in Texas and to be a resource for modeling best practices.

Members

16

Committee Chair
Daniela Lopez daniela.lopez@rjnmail.com
Committee Vice Chair
Nick Dons
donsn@trinityra.org
Committee Page

Industrial

Purpose

Members

12

Committee Chair
Jonathan Sandhu
(281) 226-1153
jsandhu@gcatx.org

Tres Koenings
(512) 452-5905
tkoenings@plummer.com
Committee Page

Laboratory

Purpose

To further the environmental laboratory profession through education and communication.

Members

17

Committee Chair
Trinity O'Neal
(512) 972-1955
trinity.oneal@austintexas.gov
Committee Vice Chair
Jennifer Whitaker
whitakerj@trinityra.org
Committee Page

Manufacturers & Reps

Purpose

Members

5

Committee Chair
Joju Abraham
jabraham@globalwet.com
(512) 560-9952
Committee Page

Municipal Resource Recovery & Design

Purpose

Support the WEAT community by being stewards of the municipal wastewater treatment engineering practices for clean and safe water.

Objectives:

  • Enrich and disseminate expertise of water professionals through seminars, workshops and public outreach.
  • Increase awareness of the water profession.
  • Enhance partnership between design professionals and operations & maintenance personnel.

Members

44

Committee Chair
Nick Landes, Co-Chair
(817) 735-7571
nick.landes@freese.com

Samir Mathur, Co-Chair
(214) 346-2800
mathurss@cdmsmith.com
Committee Page

Nutrient

Purpose

Members

25

Committee Chair
Chris Pasch
(512) 452-5905
cpasch@plummer.com

Peter Reale
(512) 687-2184
preale@plummer.com
Committee Page

Odor and Corrosion Management

Purpose

To educate and inform WEAT membership on technologies, trends, and best practices with regard to air quality, odor, and corrosion control.

Members

20

Committee Chair
Suparna Mukhopadhyay
smukhopadhyay@plummer.com
(512) 452-5905
Committee Vice Chair
Troy Najar
troy@egsw.us
Committee Page

Operations & Maintenance

Purpose

Enhance the ability of water environment professionals' to operate and maintain wastewater facilities efficiently through education, innovation and best practices.

Members

10

Committee Chair
Darrell Poore, Co-Chair
darrell.poore@dallascityhall.com
(469) 231-8309

Fritz Hurst, Co-Chair
Fritz.hurst@dallascityhall.com
(225) 439-2034

Raudel Juarez, Vice Chair
JuarezR@trinityra.org
(972) 975-4344
Committee Page

Pretreatment

Purpose

Members

63

Committee Chair
Joseph Fielding
(972) 975-4374
fieldingjk@trinityra.org
Committee Vice Chair
Heather Goins
heather.goins@meadhunt.com
Committee Page

Safety, Cyber and Infrastructure Security

Purpose

The Safety, Cyber, and Infrastructure Security Committee recommends, develops, and furthers the educational pursuit and practices of personnel safety, cyber security, and physical security initiatives to protect the water resources of all Texans.

Members

21

Committee Chair
Denney Howard
(817) 338-7505
DRHoward@lan-inc.com

Robert Warren
(817) 493-5142
warrenrc@trinityra.org
Committee Page

Stormwater/Watershed Management

Purpose

To support the WEAT membership in the form of up-to-date knowledge regarding stormwater issues. Support includes:

  • Reviewing and selecting Texas Water abstracts
  • Responding to policies and rules developed by federal, state, and local agencies
  • Providing technical information and lessons learned to the membership in the form of webinars, articles, and workshops.

Members

17

Committee Chair
Gian Villarreal
(210) 446-6865
gvillarreal@seagullpme.com

Kim Chanslor
chanslorkm@cdmsmith.com
Committee Vice Chair
Ben Fuentes
benfuentes@kennedyjenks.com
Committee Page

Utility Management

Purpose

Serve as a joint committee between WEAT and TACWA with an overall objective of using the resources of WEAT's technical committees and the management representation of TACWA to tackle high-level issues.

Members

18

Committee Chair
Dan Olson
(713) 395-4277
DNOlson@garverusa.com

Shannon Dunne
shannon.dunne@fortworthtexas.gov
Committee Vice Chair
Shannon Miftari
smiftari@gcatx.org
Committee Page

Water Reuse

Purpose

The WEF (WEAT) Water Reuse Committee develops, recommends, and conducts programs to promote general understanding of water reuse for non-potable and potable uses.

Objectives:

  • The committee shall be dedicated to the advancement of water reuse in the water environment profession.
  • Provide opportunities for committee members to become actively involved in the activities of WEAT.
  • Provide WEAT membership education opportunities and awareness in water reuse by participating in the Texas Water program selection, hosting seminars and webinars, publishing technical papers, and other activities as identified by the committee.
  • Collaborate with other organizations who also are dedicated to the advancement of water reuse.

Members

34

Committee Chair
Quentin Geile qgeile@plummer.com
Committee Vice Chair
Megan Thomas
megan@epiccleantec.com
Committee Page

Delivery

Responsible for and assists in providing services to WEAT’s membership and other industry professionals.

Advanced Operator Training

Purpose

Mission: To be the number one organization for Wastewater Operators' Education in Texas.

Goal 1: Use this committee as an opportunity to expand WEAT membership in the State of Texas by adding new members, especially in under-served areas such as collection systems, pretreatment, and industrial sectors.

Goal 2: Provide at least one single-day workshop every two months.

Members

35

Committee Chair
Rami Issa rami.issa@aecom.com
Committee Vice Chair
Chris Young
cyoung@plummer.com

John Bennett
bennettj@trinityra.org
Committee Page

Awards

Purpose

The goal of the Awards Committee is to solicit award nominations from the state of Texas, select candidates for nomination, and present the candidates to the WEAT Board for approval. This committee oversees state and WEF awards nominations and recommends award criteria to the Board.

Members

9

Committee Chair
Kim Chanslor
(713) 628-2122
chanslorkm@cdmsmith.com

Randy Bush
(214) 360-9929
rbush@cpyi.com
Committee Page

Operations Challenge

Purpose

The purpose of Operations Challenge is to provide a State competition at the annual Texas Water show that promotes the professionalism and the careers of Treatment Plant Staff including Operators, Mechanics, Chemists, and Collection System staff. The program mirrors the national competition at WEFTEC, and includes six events, including Texas’s own exhibition event.

Members

11

Committee Chair
Jeff Sober
(214) 883-6263
jlsober@garverusa.com
Committee Vice Chair
John Bennett
bennettj@trinityra.org
Committee Page

Philanthropy

Purpose

To facilitate the growth of monetary contributions and awareness for charitable causes that WEAT membership supports, typically related to expanding water and wastewater infrastructure in developing countries and including such organizations as Water For People, the Gazelle Foundation and other philanthropic causes. This Committee’s primary purpose is to provide WEAT membership with ways to engage in charitable causes related to water issues and increase their impact.

Members

10

Committee Chair
Chris Varnon
(713) 423-7313
varnonck@cdmsmith.com
Committee Page

Scholarship

Purpose

The mission of WEAT Scholarship Committee is to support, promote, and encourage the educational pursuits and goals of active members, or their college bound dependents, with scholarships and educational grants.

Members

7

Committee Chair
Carol Serna Carol.Serna@stantec.com
Committee Page

Small Systems

Purpose

  • Utilize technology to reach an audience that is geographically disparate and might be challenged to travel for seminars or conferences
  • Identify existing resources and materials that reside in other WEAT or WEF committees that would benefit the smaller systems, instead of tasking our team to develop material
  • Leverage the TCEQ Small Systems liaison to identify systems and operators that could benefit from an association with WEAT and this committee
  • Develop an online forum that allows small systems to ask questions (regulatory, technical, operational) and committee members would have the opportunity to provide feedback and insight
  • Repurpose the presentations given during the Small Systems track at Texas Water to provide webinars to small systems state-wide

Members

12

Committee Chair
Andrew McBride
(830) 386-2567
amcbride@seguintexas.gov

Kevin Patel
(469) 267-0316
knpatel@sig-auto.com
Committee Page

Texas Water Exhibits Subcommittee - CLOSED COMMITTEE

Purpose

This sub-committee works with WEAT staff and leaders to solicit feedback and understand the exhibitor experience at Texas Water.

Members

2

Committee Chair
Don Lange
Committee Page

Texas Water Program Subcommittee - CLOSED COMMITTEE

Purpose

This sub-committee is by appointment only and works to develop the Texas Water technical content alongside a TAWWA representative. This sub-committee chair will liaise with Knowledge Committee Chairs and help coordinate the Texas Water abstract submittal and review process. After the review process is complete, the sub-committee will work with the Texas Water Planning Committee in finalizing the program and facilitating authors for the poster session. The sub-committee will also coordinate program changes with responsible parties, in addition to sharing knowledge committee chair contacts with the moderator chair.

Members

3

Committee Chair
Dylan Christenson
(713) 255-3346
ChristensonD@BV.com

Elizabeth Fazio Hale
(281) 488-4158
efazio@gcatx.org
Committee Page

Texas Water Resolutions Subcommittee - CLOSED COMMITTEE

Purpose

Members

1

Committee Chair
Paul Roach proach@cpyi.com
Committee Page

Texas Water Steering - CLOSED COMMITTEE

Purpose

To represent WEAT’s interests in the oversight and planning of the myriad of programs and activities at Texas Water while helping to ensure the continued success of Texas Water.

Members

1

Committee Chair
Kristin O'Neill koneill1@brwncald.com
Committee Page

Utility Funding Ad-Hoc

Purpose

Members

1

Committee Chair
Stacy Barna barnasl@cdmsmith.com
Committee Page

Workforce Development

Purpose

The mission of the WEAT Workforce Development Committee is to strengthen regional collaboration and the alignment of education, training, and workforce development to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled and diverse workers can thrive and succeed in the water and wastewater industry.

Members

13

Committee Chair
Justin Rackley
(214) 346-2892
JARackley@GarverUSA.com

Dylan Christenson
(805) 714-4362
dcchristenson@gmail.com
Committee Vice Chair
John Bennett
(817) 493-5100
BennettJ@trinityra.org
Committee Page

Stakeholder

Stakeholder Committees: Interface with a segment of the population targeted for communication about the importance of water environment initiatives and profession.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Purpose

To promote a greater understanding and appreciation for diversity and inclusiveness throughout the WEAT members and in the water sector.

Members

19

Committee Chair
Ana Pena-Tijerina, Co-Chair
apena-tijerina@plummer.com
(817) 618-2210

Tanya Miro, Co-Chair
Tanya.Miro@kimley-horn.com
(817) 962-2072

Aurora Gonzales, Vice Chair
AuroraGonzales@KennedyJenks.com
(805) 201-8167
Committee Page

Government Affairs

Purpose

This committee develops and institutes programs that provide useful informational support to local and regional governments. It also keeps abreast of state issues in the water environment field and is prepared to provide expert testimony if the need arises. The committee stays abreast of current legislative activities and communicates important developments to the WEAT membership.

Members

34

Committee Chair
Heather Cooke
(512) 972-0083
heather.cooke@austintexas.gov

Nathan Vassar
(512) 322-5867
nvassar@lglawfirm.com
Committee Vice Chair
Phillip Goodwin
(832) 395-3075
Phillip.Goodwin@houstontx.gov
Committee Page

International

Purpose

Members

2

Committee Chair
Hector Montanez Hector.Montanez@houstontx.gov
Committee Vice Chair
Pedro Munive
pedro.munive@houstontx.gov
Committee Page

Public Communication and Outreach

Purpose

The Public Communication and Outreach Committee (PCOC) will develop and support comprehensive education and outreach directed at WEAT members, the general public, the K- 12 education community, the media and public policy makers to educate on the value of water, encourage informed decision making on economic, environmental, public health, operating and social policy issues associated with the water environment and to be a technical resource for water in the State of Texas.

Members

22

Committee Chair
Nyla Langford nblangford@sig-auto.com
Committee Vice Chair
Archana Sharma
(713) 504-5532
Archana.Sharma@meadhunt.com
Committee Page

Student Design Competition (SDC) - Student Subcommittee

Purpose

Members

6

Committee Chair
Daniel Roberts
droberts@cpyi.com
(502) 645-6616
Committee Page

Student Sections

Purpose

Members

4

Committee Chair
Caitlin Ruff
ruffc2@bv.com

Samruddhi Jagtap
samruddhi.jagtap@hdrinc.com
Committee Page

Young Professionals (YP)

Purpose

WEAT and WEF Young Professionals seek to host and promote professional development events that unlock opportunities for those new or newer to the industry to participate in WEAT events and become part of the WEAT team. There is emphasis on professional growth and community service through networking events, technical events, and community service events.

Members

36

Committee Chair
Justin Halter jhalter@ardurra.com
Committee Page

YP Texas Water University Forum

Purpose

Members

2

Committee Chair
Kayleigh Millerick kayleigh.millerick@ttu.edu
Committee Page

Management

Management Committees: Assist in the governance of WEAT communicating directly with the WEAT Board of Directors.

Bylaws

Purpose

Members

3

Committee Chair
Nathan Vassar nvassar@lglawfirm.com
Committee Page

Committee Leadership Council

Purpose

To oversee and mentor all WEAT Committee Chairs and Liaisons in their efforts to advance technical knowledge, represent Association Stakeholders, and manage the Association.

Members

5

Committee Chair
Matt Jalbert jalbertm@trinityra.org
Committee Vice Chair
Allison Hage
allison.hage@freese.com
(214) 217-2219

Jeff Caffey
jcaffey@plummer.com
(817) 343-0962
Committee Page

Management Review - CLOSED COMMITTEE

Purpose

This committee conducts necessary business of the association between meetings of the Board, coordinating the work of the committees and making policy recommendations to the Board.

Members

17

Committee Chair
Kristin O'Neill KONeill1@brwncald.com
Committee Page

Membership

Purpose

To help develop, maintain, and track WEAT membership through both traditional and innovative ways.

Members

18

Committee Chair
Heather Wootton
Heather.wootton@kimley-horn.com
(214) 216-0395

Connie Curtis
ccurtis@sjra.net
(936) 588-3111
Committee Page

Nominating - CLOSED COMMITTEE

Purpose

To reach out to WEAT’s membership calling for nominations of future WEAT Officers, and to thoughtfully consider and submit nominations to the Board for WEAT Officer positions; to usher in WEAT Officers.

Members

5

Committee Chair
Jeff Caffey jcaffey@plummer.com
Committee Page

Section Engagement

Purpose

  • Provide support to WEAT Sections in an effort to enhance engagement between the state activities and the individual sections
  • Provide a common resource to share ideas between sections to better serve members across the state

Members

3

Committee Chair
Rick Hidalgo
hjhidalgo@sig-auto.com
(469) 619-1241
Committee Vice Chair
Connie Curtis
ccurtis@sjra.net

Jeff Haby
Jeff.Haby@saws.org
Committee Page

Strategic Planning - CLOSED COMMITTEE

Purpose

To assess and develop WEAT’s strategic vision with emphasis on the continued success and sustainability of the Association and annual conference, Texas Water. The President-Elect, as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, should set goals achievable within their term as President.

Members

5

Committee Chair
Dylan Christenson ChristensonD@BV.com
Committee Page