I am a retired petroleum geologist and a resident of The Woodlands since 2000. I am the first in my family to attend college, and then graduate school. This education opened many doors in the global hydrocarbon industry for which I am grateful. Two lessons from my life experience are, first, be open to learning from others, and second, embrace collaboration as key to success in any endeavor.
I hold a Ph.D. in geosciences and have 35+ years’ experience in the oil and gas sector, which included managing multi-disciplinary teams in field appraisal and development. I have served on the MUD 6 Board for two terms. I am on the Board of Trustees of Woodlands Water Agency and chair the WWA Public Education Committee. This experience has steered my approach on how to best serve the public.
The top two challenges are infrastructure renewal and long-term access to a sustainable water supply. Our aging infrastructure is in a phased process of being assessed, repaired, upgraded or replaced. We currently have a surface water/groundwater blend for our fresh water supply. However, we will need to identify future water resources because of falling groundwater levels in our area.
As our water/wastewater infrastructure ages, I support being proactive in monitoring and prioritizing asset renewal. It’s best to deal with potential problems early before they become crises. To address our drinking water needs, I support increased allocation of treated surface water from Lake Conroe. A greater surface water supply will slow the decline of water levels in our aquifers.
I assure all residents in MUD 6 that any decisions on taxes, water/sewer rates, and infrastructure improvements are made to provide the best level of service. For specific information needs, I invite residents visit the Woodlands Water website to access the revamped communications tools, including how to contact me. Residents are especially welcome to attend MUD 6 Board meetings in person.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
I have served on MUD 6 for the past four years; currently as Vice President. I also serve the broader Grogan’s Mill and Woodlands communities as President of the GMVA as well as Co-Chair of The Woodlands Farmers Market. Professionally, I hold a senior management role in the financial services industry – managing roughly $100 million in assets and more than $250 million in annual revenues.
My experience on MUD 6 and GMVA provides me with an invaluable understanding of the current issues facing our District and community. I also have established strong partnerships with surrounding MUDs, stakeholders, as well as Township and County elected officials. My business background allows me to remain objective and take creative, yet responsible, views of complex financial decisions.
Renewal of our aging infrastructure remains the district’s greatest challenge. We must take a responsible approach to renewal that mitigates the financial impact on our customers while addressing immediate needs and maintaining the expected levels of service for decades to come. It is also critical to understand how increased demand in surrounding areas may impact long-term water supply.
I believe we must continue to take a proactive approach to assessing/addressing both the infrastructure and water supply challenges facing our community. Delays in those efforts can/will cause major expenses and service disruptions. The MUDs have been effective in evaluating these issues collectively, but maintaining the existing expertise/acumen on MUDs is critical to continuing those efforts.
I represent Grogan’s Mill on the WWA Community Working Group, focused on public education related to infrastructure renewal. As Pres. of the GMVA, I have provided/solicited information to/from residents through our public meetings and newsletter. We host groups such as WWA and LSGCD at The Woodlands Farmers Market so they may engage with residents. Continuing these efforts would be a priority.
