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Infraday Texas Welcome Reception:
History Meets the Future at the Bullock Museum
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Bullock Texas State History Museum – Rotunda
1800 North Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
6:30 PM – Exclusive Tour of Infrastructure Related Artifacts
Tours will Include:
Texas Highway Patrol Motorcycle
Texas Oil and Gas
And many others...
Join us for an evening of networking, conversation, and history at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Connect with industry leaders over drinks and lite fare in the Rotunda, and experience a special guided tour of Texas artifacts at 6:30 PM. Let’s celebrate the intersection of past, present, and future in infrastructure.
2025 Speakers Include
AJ Waters, Chief Evangelist, Kahua, Inc.
AJ Waters serves as the Chief Evangelist at Kahua, Inc., where he helps drive innovation and collaboration across the built environment. With over 15 years of experience in construction technology, AJ specializes in improving data quality, project delivery, and lifecycle management for capital programs. A passionate industry advocate, he frequently speaks at conferences and events, sharing insights on the future of construction technology. AJ is committed to helping owners, contractors, and program managers harness technology to deliver smarter, more efficient infrastructure projects.
Amy Atchley, EV Equity Development Manager, Austin Energy
As the EV Equity Manager at Austin Energy, Amy Atchley leverages over 15 years of experience in marketing and program design to promote electric vehicle adoption. Recognized nationally and internationally for her innovation and social entrepreneurship, she develops strategies that ensure equitable access to sustainable transportation solutions.
Anil Mirmira, Deputy Director, Tolling Operations, Harris County Toll Road Authority
Anil Mirmira, P.E., is the Deputy Director of Tolling Operations at the Harris County Toll Road Authority, where he oversees toll systems, infrastructure support, and policy development to enhance mobility and efficiency. With over 20 years of experience in transportation engineering, he has led large-scale tolling and infrastructure projects at HCTRA, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, and Atkins. A recognized innovator in the industry, he played a key role in developing a patented toll-setting policy that advances smart mobility solutions in Harris County.
B.J. Carpenter, Airport Environment & Sustainability Officer, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Serving as the Environment and Sustainability Officer at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport since February 2024, B.J. Carpenter integrates sustainable principles and climate resiliency best practices into airport operations. With a tenure at the airport beginning in 2016, he has been pivotal in embedding environmental stewardship into the airport's culture and development plans
Brandon Thomas, Water Treatment & Compliance Assistant Manager, New Braunfels Utilities (NBU)
Brandon Thomas is the Water Treatment & Compliance Assistant Manager at New Braunfels Utilities (NBU), where he oversees water treatment operations and ensures regulatory compliance to maintain high-quality water services for the community. With extensive experience in water management, he specializes in treatment process optimization, environmental compliance, and infrastructure improvements. Brandon plays a key role in advancing sustainable water solutions and ensuring adherence to state and federal water quality standards.
Brendon Wheeler, Program Manager, Transportation, North Central Texas Council of Governments
As Program Manager for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), Brendon Wheeler oversees the region's long-range transportation planning. His role involves coordinating with various stakeholders to develop strategies that address current and future transportation needs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Caroline Mays, Director of Planning and Modal Programs, Texas Department of Transportation
Caroline Mays, AICP, is the Director of Planning and Modal Programs at the Texas Department of Transportation. She manages the Aviation, Maritime, Public Transportation, Rail, and Transportation Planning and Programming divisions, ensuring cohesive and efficient multimodal transportation planning across the state.
Cesar Alvarado, Sales Director, Aurigo Software Technologies
As Sales Director at Aurigo Software Technologies, Cesar Alvarado brings a diverse background in sales and business development within the infrastructure sector. His career spans roles from Project Engineer to Business Development and Design & Construction Engineering, contributing to his expertise in delivering software solutions for capital planning and construction management.
Dakota Shaw, Project Manager, Aviation, Planning & Programming, Texas Department of Transportation
Dalton Rice, City Manager, City of Kerrville
Dalton Rice, MSHS, CPM, assumed the role of City Manager for Kerrville, Texas, in October 2023, following his tenure as City Manager for Morgan's Point Resort. With a diverse background, he served 13 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Senior Special Forces Medic and has experience as a paramedic, firefighter, and healthcare administrator. Rice holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Law from Western Carolina University and an MSHS in Health Care Quality from George Washington University.
Darryl Spencer, Vice President Engineering & Technical Services, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
With over 30 years of transportation experience, Darryl Spencer serves as the Vice President of Engineering and Technical Services at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). His extensive background encompasses project management, fleet engineering, and systems engineering, playing a crucial role in DART's modernization and infrastructure projects
David Olson, Assistant City Manager, City of Temple, TX
David Olson is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Temple, Texas, contributing to the city's strategic planning and operational management. His role involves overseeing various municipal departments to ensure efficient service delivery and community development.
Diana Ramirez, County Administrator, Harris County Office of County Administration
Diana Ramirez currently serves as the County Administrator for Harris County, where she oversees county operations, budgeting, and floodplain management. With over two decades of experience in public administration, Diana specializes in economic development, equity initiatives, and strategic planning. Previously, she held leadership roles with Harris County’s Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity and Travis County, where she focused on affordable housing, workforce development, and small business support. A Princeton University alumna and a recognized Public Official of the Year, Diana is passionate about advancing equity, economic opportunity, and community engagement in Texas.
Diane Cook, Chief Operating Officer, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
Diane Tackett is the Chief Operating Officer of Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA), the nonprofit community partnership providing no cost recruitment, employment services and child care assistance, to businesses and job seekers in Central Texas. This nine-county region includes Bastrop; Blanco; Burnet; Caldwell; Fayette; Hays; Lee; Llano; and Williamson counties. She has been in this role since August 2019.
Diane began her career in workforce development in 1999, as a Choices Career Specialist based in Austin, as part of Workforce Solutions Capital Area. In 2002, she transferred to WSRCA’s contractor as a Quality Assurance Specialist, and earned a promotion in 2003 to become the North Area Manager, overseeing three career centers in Williamson County, and serving as Program Manager for the Choices Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) Program.
During Diane's management tenure in the Rural Capital Area, she brought online the Choices Non-Custodial Parents program in Williamson County. After several years as the Area Manager, she was promoted to Deputy Director, and served in that position for two years. In 2012, she returned to the Capital Area to serve as the Deputy Director of Operations and Programs, and later the Director of Child Care Operations. Tackett moved on in 2017 to serve as a Policy Analyst with the Texas Workforce Commission. She joined the WSRCA Board Staff in 2019 as a Contracts Specialist, serving as a subject matter expert for the Child Care Services Program and introducing new innovations to streamline contract oversight and management.
Diane holds a Master of Science in Social Work, and a Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Diane began her career in workforce development in 1999, as a Choices Career Specialist based in Austin, as part of Workforce Solutions Capital Area. In 2002, she transferred to WSRCA’s contractor as a Quality Assurance Specialist, and earned a promotion in 2003 to become the North Area Manager, overseeing three career centers in Williamson County, and serving as Program Manager for the Choices Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) Program.
During Diane's management tenure in the Rural Capital Area, she brought online the Choices Non-Custodial Parents program in Williamson County. After several years as the Area Manager, she was promoted to Deputy Director, and served in that position for two years. In 2012, she returned to the Capital Area to serve as the Deputy Director of Operations and Programs, and later the Director of Child Care Operations. Tackett moved on in 2017 to serve as a Policy Analyst with the Texas Workforce Commission. She joined the WSRCA Board Staff in 2019 as a Contracts Specialist, serving as a subject matter expert for the Child Care Services Program and introducing new innovations to streamline contract oversight and management.
Diane holds a Master of Science in Social Work, and a Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Douglas Melnick, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of San Antonio
Douglas Melnick is the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of San Antonio, leading climate action, municipal sustainability, and urban resilience initiatives for over a decade. With a background in urban planning and sustainability, he previously served as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability in Albany, NY, shaping policies on energy efficiency and environmental resilience. His expertise in climate adaptation, community engagement, and sustainable development continues to drive impactful change in Texas and beyond.
Gadimi Hilton, Transportation & Public Works, Regional Transportation and Innovation, City of Fort Worth
As part of the Transportation & Public Works Department in Fort Worth, Gadimi Hilton focuses on regional transportation and innovation initiatives. His work involves planning and implementing transportation projects that enhance mobility and infrastructure within the city.
Gardner Tabon, EVP, Systemwide Accessibility & Chief Safety Officer, CapMetro
Gardner Tabon is the Executive Vice President of Systemwide Accessibility & Chief Safety Officer at Capital Metro, bringing over 30 years of experience in transit safety, risk management, and accessibility services. Before joining CapMetro, he held key leadership roles at NJ Transit, Valley Metro, and MARTA, where he developed and implemented comprehensive safety programs for bus and rail operations. With a career spanning Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, and Saudi Railway Company, Gardner has been instrumental in creating and enforcing safety standards, regulatory compliance, and accessibility initiatives across various transit systems.
Heather Bishop, Associate Project Manager, Transportation and Public Works, City of Austin
Heather Bishop is an Associate Project Manager with the City of Austin's Transportation and Public Works Department, focusing on strategic capital projects that enhance mobility, safety, and infrastructure efficiency. With a diverse background spanning engineering, policy analysis, and urban planning, she plays a key role in developing multi-modal transportation solutions and smart mobility initiatives. As Managing Director of the Austin Smart City Alliance, Heather also leads efforts to integrate innovative technologies that improve urban connectivity and sustainability.
Jacob Barrett, TDM Program Manager, City of Austin
Jacob Barrett, TDM Program Manager at the City of Austin, is a seasoned program management professional with over 12 years of experience in government and agency roles, leading innovative transportation demand management initiatives, securing significant federal grant funding, and championing sustainable mobility solutions for Central Texas.
James Earp, City Manager, City of Hutto
Appointed as City Manager of Hutto, Texas, in August 2022, James Earp brings extensive experience in municipal management. Prior to this role, he served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Kyle, Texas, from 2006 to July 2022, where he was instrumental in regional planning and development initiatives.
Jason Deckman, Principal Planner, Planning & Development, City of Temple, TX
Serving as Principal Planner in the Planning & Development Department for the City of Temple, Texas, Jason Deckman plays a key role in urban planning and zoning. He has been instrumental in securing federal funds for community projects, including transforming defunct railroads into hike and bike trails.
Jay Brown, Director, Policy & Origination | Co-Founder, Pressure Core
Jay Brown is the Co-Founder and Director of Policy & Origination at Pressure Core, a clean energy development company that converts industrial waste pressure into renewable power. With a background in marketing, business development, and public relations, Jay combines strategic thinking with hands-on problem-solving to help oil and gas companies lower energy costs and achieve sustainability goals. He previously co-founded Pressure Corp and played a key role in its growth, including securing venture capital backing from Morrison Street Advisors. Jay is also the founder of SaskHiker, a leading platform promoting outdoor recreation in Saskatchewan.
Jesal Shah, Chief Project Delivery Officer, Harris County Flood Control District
As the Chief Project Delivery Officer at the Harris County Flood Control District, Jesal Shah oversees flood risk reduction planning, design, engineering, and construction efforts. His extensive experience includes leading similar initiatives as a senior leader for the government of British Columbia.
John Hall, President/CEO, HARC | Houston Advanced Research Center
As President and CEO of HARC, Mr. John Hall leads a respected and reputable organization engaged in research and policy analysis for the purpose of forging effective and sustainable solutions to Texas’ huge climate resilience and climate justice challenges. The core issues of HARC’s work include air quality, clean and adequate supplies of water, energy, coastal management and the preservation of green spaces for various purposes.
Mr. Hall’s policy and research expertise focus areas include environmental justice, clean energy, and climate resilience, and emerging technologies that may be deployed to reduce air and climate pollution and also support economic growth and new job creation. Mr. Hall is leading HARC to elevate and connect its policy-related research with federal, state and local officials, community leaders, partners, and funders. He has been a thought leader and practitioner regarding the impacts of energy on air quality, the environment, communities, and climate for the past thirty years.
Prior to coming to HARC, he chaired the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the predecessor agency to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). His key accomplishments there were to merge together environmental programs from several state agencies to form the TNRCC, create a framework to manage the Edwards Aquifer that was subsequently enacted into state statute; established Texas’ first Task Force to identify and assess environmental justice issues; and develop and implement a set of pollution prevention initiatives that catalyzed major reductions in air toxics and hazardous waste in the state.
Mr. Hall left a lasting mark on TCEQ by implementing the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program. From 1996 to 2010, in the capacity of President of John Hall Public Affairs, he played a leadership role in leading Texas to effectively address ozone non-attainment challenges in the Houston-Galveston and Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areas, including his service as Executive Director of the Texas Environmental Research Consortium (TERC) at HARC. More recently, he served in leadership roles at Environmental Defense Fund and led the advocacy organization’s clean energy efforts in ten of the largest states in the nation and vehicle electrification initiatives in Texas.
HARC has had the honor of working with Mr. Hall for 20 years through his work with TERC, as a former member of HARC’s Board of Directors, and as a recent Senior Advisor. In February of this year, the TCEQ published a video conversation about his life and career. Please click here to view it.
Awards and Achievements
2023 Gregg Cooke Award (Texas Energy Summit) | Excellence in Environmental Leadership
Mr. Hall’s policy and research expertise focus areas include environmental justice, clean energy, and climate resilience, and emerging technologies that may be deployed to reduce air and climate pollution and also support economic growth and new job creation. Mr. Hall is leading HARC to elevate and connect its policy-related research with federal, state and local officials, community leaders, partners, and funders. He has been a thought leader and practitioner regarding the impacts of energy on air quality, the environment, communities, and climate for the past thirty years.
Prior to coming to HARC, he chaired the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the predecessor agency to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). His key accomplishments there were to merge together environmental programs from several state agencies to form the TNRCC, create a framework to manage the Edwards Aquifer that was subsequently enacted into state statute; established Texas’ first Task Force to identify and assess environmental justice issues; and develop and implement a set of pollution prevention initiatives that catalyzed major reductions in air toxics and hazardous waste in the state.
Mr. Hall left a lasting mark on TCEQ by implementing the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program. From 1996 to 2010, in the capacity of President of John Hall Public Affairs, he played a leadership role in leading Texas to effectively address ozone non-attainment challenges in the Houston-Galveston and Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areas, including his service as Executive Director of the Texas Environmental Research Consortium (TERC) at HARC. More recently, he served in leadership roles at Environmental Defense Fund and led the advocacy organization’s clean energy efforts in ten of the largest states in the nation and vehicle electrification initiatives in Texas.
HARC has had the honor of working with Mr. Hall for 20 years through his work with TERC, as a former member of HARC’s Board of Directors, and as a recent Senior Advisor. In February of this year, the TCEQ published a video conversation about his life and career. Please click here to view it.
Awards and Achievements
2023 Gregg Cooke Award (Texas Energy Summit) | Excellence in Environmental Leadership
L'Oreal Stepney, Board Chairwoman, Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, L'Oreal Stepney, P.E., has been serving as Chairwoman of the Texas Water Development Board since January 8, 2025. Her leadership guides the board's efforts in providing planning, financial, and technical assistance for the responsible development of Texas's water resources.
About
Your point of contact on the event is Ken Bauco / 646 675 0171 / ken@infraday.com.
Interested in partnering with us on the event? Visit www.infraday.com/partner for more details.
Infraday Texas stands as a pivotal event within a broader regional series of public sector-driven infrastructure conferences hosted by Infraday across North America.
Scheduled for April 2 in Austin, this gathering will showcase over 75+ esteemed presenters representing Texas cities, counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), transit agencies, and more. Engaging in critical discussions, these experts will delve into new programs, investments, and strategies spanning the entire infrastructure spectrum.
Covering an extensive array of sectors, the event promises comprehensive insights into the infrastructure landscape of Texas. The agenda encompasses discussions on aviation, bridges, coastal areas, dams, drinking water, energy, levees, ports, roads, schools, solid waste, stormwater, transit, and wastewater. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Infraday Texas serves as a platform for both the public and private sectors to foster interaction, networking, and knowledge exchange.
Attendees will have the unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the future direction of the infrastructure market in Texas. Project owners will share valuable perspectives on existing opportunities, potential areas for growth, and critical deficits. This collaborative forum not only facilitates dialogue but also contributes to a deeper understanding of the infrastructure landscape, providing a foundation for informed decision-making and strategic planning in the realm of public works and development.
Mark your calendars for April 2 in Austin and join us for a day of impactful discussions shaping the future of Texas' infrastructure.
Interested in becoming a partner or exhibitor? Please contact ken@infraday.com
2025 Partners Include
Aurigo
Aurigo builds software that helps build the world. Aurigo provides modern, cloud-based solutions for capital infrastructure and private owners to help them plan with confidence, build with quality, and maintain their assets efficiently. With more than $300b of capital programs under management, Aurigo’s solutions are trusted by over 300 customers in transportation, water and utilities, healthcare, higher education, and the government on over 40,000 projects across North America. Aurigo helps capital program executives make better decisions based on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. Aurigo is a privately held US corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas, with global offices in Canada and India. Learn more at www.aurigo.com.
EXP
With a mission to understand, innovate, partner and deliver, EXP provides engineering, architecture, design and consulting services to the world’s built and natural environments.
Our heritage dates back to 1906, when the earliest of EXP's predecessor companies started its engineering infrastructure practice.
Today, over 3,000 creative EXP professionals across North America provide the passion and experience needed to deliver successful projects around the world.
Our heritage dates back to 1906, when the earliest of EXP's predecessor companies started its engineering infrastructure practice.
Today, over 3,000 creative EXP professionals across North America provide the passion and experience needed to deliver successful projects around the world.
Kahua
Kahua helps you manage processes, documents and cost on your construction programs and projects from inception to closeout. Purpose-built solutions for owners, program managers, general contractors and subcontractors help you minimize time-to-value and enhance user adoption. Kahua enables collaboration between all project participants to streamline communication and improve efficiency. Eliminate waste and rework by keeping everyone on the same page with the latest design and scope information. And with Kahua’s comprehensive dashboards and reporting, you get the visibility and control you need to minimize risk.
Kahua is a lifecycle solution, with applications for capital planning, sources of funds, design review, bid management, document management & control, cost management and asset handover. Kahua is available on all mobile devices to easily connect field to office.
Kahua apps are built on kBuilder, an Enterprise Low-Code Application Platform which enables Kahua partners and customers to rapidly build new apps or customize existing apps to extend or enhance Kahua solutions. This gives you the agility you need to adapt as your business needs evolve. To date, over 600 private and public apps have been developed on kBuilder, and public apps are available to the Kahua community on the kStore app marketplace.
Kahua is a lifecycle solution, with applications for capital planning, sources of funds, design review, bid management, document management & control, cost management and asset handover. Kahua is available on all mobile devices to easily connect field to office.
Kahua apps are built on kBuilder, an Enterprise Low-Code Application Platform which enables Kahua partners and customers to rapidly build new apps or customize existing apps to extend or enhance Kahua solutions. This gives you the agility you need to adapt as your business needs evolve. To date, over 600 private and public apps have been developed on kBuilder, and public apps are available to the Kahua community on the kStore app marketplace.
2025 Agenda
2025 Venue
AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
Located in: The University of Texas at Austin
Address: 1900 University Ave, Austin, TX 78705
Phone: (512) 404-1900
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