Featured Speakers
John Coalter Baker, Jr.
Panel 2 - Coastal Texas Update
Gulf Coast Protection District Executive Director
Coalter Baker is a seasoned public policy expert who currently serves as the Executive Director for the Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD). His career has been marked by a series of high-level roles in government, nonprofits, and political campaigns.
Previously, he served as Senior Director within the public policy department of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), where he helped to lead federal and state advocacy efforts.
Before taking positions in Houston, Coalter spent significant time in Washington, D.C., where he worked for Governor Greg Abbott as Deputy Director of the Office of State-Federal Relations. There, he played a key role in managing the state’s relationship with the federal government. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under Secretary Dr. Ben Carson. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing communications, budget, and disaster recovery efforts, all of which were crucial during the administration’s work, particularly given the impacts of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria on Americans.
Before his time at HUD, Coalter was the Press Secretary at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) within the White House under Director Mick Mulvaney. His role at OMB required a keen understanding of the intricacies of federal budget and policy issues, making it an important stop in his public service career.
Coalter’s career in public service began even earlier, during the 2015-2016 election cycle, when he held several leadership positions in various political campaigns. This hands-on experience in the field of electoral politics laid a strong foundation for his future roles in government.
Earlier in his career, Coalter worked for former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, where he spent five years as a policy aide, focusing on key issues in the Senate. After Senator Hutchison’s retirement, Coalter continued his work in policy as an analyst for East Africa issues at the International Republican Institute for another two years.
A sixth-generation Texan, Coalter grew up in Houston and later graduated from Texas Tech University. He now resides in Houston with his wife, Brittany, and their goldendoodle, Austin. Coalter continues to contribute to the community serving on the board of the non-profit, BakerRipley, while he advances his career in public policy.
The Honorable Craig Brown
Keynote Speaker
Mayor of Galveston
Craig K. Brown is a dedicated public servant and long-time resident of Galveston, Texas. He was elected Mayor of Galveston in 2020, 2022, and 2024, after first being elected to the City Council in 2014. His current term as Mayor extends through May 2026.
Mr. Brown’s commitment to the community is evident through his extensive service in various local organizations. He served as Chairman of the Planning Commission for four years and contributed as a member of the Landmark Commission. Additionally, he held the position of President of the Historic Downtown Strand Seaport Partnership for two years, Vice Chairman of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) for two years, and Chairman of the Park Board for five years.
Beyond his civic duties, Mr. Brown is a retired Pediatric Dentist and former Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston. Mr. Brown has resided in Galveston full-time since 1997 and is married to his high school sweetheart, Angela. Together, they have two children.
Chad Burke
Moderator - Panel 1 - Coalition Building Across Industries
President and CEO of the Economic Alliance
Mr. Burke has served as President and CEO of the Economic Alliance since 2009. The Economic Alliance is the economic development corporation for the Houston Ship Channel region; home to the world’s largest petrochemical complex and the nation’s #1 exporting port. The mission of the Economic Alliance is to grow the regional economy by attracting new businesses and creating an environment where existing businesses can expand.
There are over 250 members of the Economic Alliance, including 13 cities, Harris County, and the Port of Houston Authority. Since 2008, the Economic Alliance has supported 82 successful projects that have helped create 4,174 new jobs and over $18.8 billion of capital investment to the Houston Port Region.
Chad serves on a variety of community boards and committees, including the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, Deer Park Education Foundation, and the San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield Association Board. In 2019, he was recognized as one of Houston Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs.
A graduate of Texas A & M University, Mr. Burke earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He and his wife Shannon have two children, and one grandson that occupies most of their time and energy.
Dr. Kelly Burks-Copes
Galveston Shoreline Bus Tour
Retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District’s Coastal Texas Project Manager
Dr. Kelly Burks-Copes served as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston Distrtict’s chief of the Programs Support Branch, in the District’s Mega Projects Division. She managed schedule, budget and public outreach for the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Mega Program (S2G), a $4.4B civil works program focused on increasing the storm resiliency of the upper Texas coast.
With nearly 30 years of experience in civil works and military projects, Dr. Burks-Copes specializes in hybridizing engineering and environmental strategies to tackle tough coastal storm risk management, flood damage reduction, navigation, and ecosystem restoration problems.
Early in her career, she worked for the USACE’s Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), where she developed practical ways to transfer research and technology to the field. Most notably, she provided R&D support for post-Superstorm Sandy recovery initiatives for the North Atlantic Coastal Comprehensive Study (NACCS) and served as the Project Manager for a Strategic Environmental R&D Program project quantifying coastal storm and sea level rise risks to Naval Station Norfolk.
In 2016, Dr. Burks-Copes served as the Project Manager for the USACE’s largest-ever civil works study addressing coastal storm risk management and ecosystem restoration study for the entire Texas coast (aka the Coastal Texas Study). She led the $20-million team effort to produce a $30B Recommended Plan to the Chief of Engineers in 2021.
Dr. Burks-Copes’ awards include two Army Civilian Service Awards, an Army Superior Civilian Service Award, five individual Commander’s awards, five R&D Achievement awards, and the Outstanding Planning Achievement Award for the NACCS study in 2014. She is also a graduate of the Eckerd College Leadership Development Program.
She holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Biology and earned her Doctorate in 2015 by double majoring in Interdisciplinary Ecology and Urban/Rural planning from the University of Florida.
Dr. Burks-Copes was also an instructor for the Association of Climate Change Officers, teaching courses on sea level rise, coastal infrastructure, and climate hazards. She has written more than 20 peer-reviewed reports and papers on ecosystem restoration, engineering with nature, and climate change topics.
Ron Ellis
Panel 4 - Navigating Regulatory and Environmental Processes
Chief of Staff for Director Brady Franks, TWDB
Ron Ellis is the Chief of Staff for Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Director Brady Franks. He has worked for the State of Texas for more than 20 years, beginning his state service at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 2005. He then worked for nine years in the Water Availability Division at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, followed by nine years in the Water Supply Planning Division at the TWDB.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University.
Dr. Jens Figlus
Keynote Speaker
Associate Professor of Ocean Engineering
Dr. Jens Figlus is a civil/coastal engineer and Associate Professor in the Department of Ocean Engineering at Texas A&M University. Dr. Figlus heads the Coastal Engineering Laboratory (CEL) on A&M’s Galveston Campus and is a faculty fellow with the Center for Texas Beaches and Shores (CTBS) and the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas (IDRT). Dr. Figlus graduated with a 5-year engineering degree (Dipl.-Ing.) from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany with an emphasis on environmental fluid mechanics. He received his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering with an emphasis on coastal engineering from the University of Delaware. Since joining Texas A&M University in 2012, Dr. Figlus has been conducting engineering research and teaching undergraduate and graduate students about coastal engineering and related subjects. He teaches classes related to coastal engineering, fluid dynamics, geotechnical engineering, and ocean measurements and is a faculty mentor for undergraduate research scholars.
Dr. Figlus’ research focuses on improving our understanding of coastal system processes and engineering approaches to reduce the risk of coastal flooding and erosion. He is an expert in field measurement techniques, laboratory experiments, and numerical model analysis related to storm impacts on barrier islands and dunes, coastal hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and morphodynamics. Together with his team he runs the CEL movable-bed wave flume research facility and deploys field instrumentation to capture wave, current, and sediment processes in nearshore and bay systems.
Brian Freedman
Panel 1 - Coalition Building Across Industries
President of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
On Jan. 1, 2023, Brian D. Freedman began his tenure as president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) having served as president-elect since August 2022. As president, Freedman leads regional economic development efforts, advocates for regional priorities, and directs a team of world-class economic development professionals. The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is a membership-driven organization dedicated to stimulating regional economic development and employment. The organization utilizes a collaborative committee structure engaging over 290 member companies, business professionals, local governments, and educational institutions along with 18 cities and Harris and Galveston counties.
Prior to joining BAHEP, Freedman served as senior manager of State and Local Government Operations, Southwest Region, for The Boeing Company. He was responsible for overseeing state and local government relations activities at multiple Boeing facilities throughout Texas and Colorado. This work included advising on legislative issues impacting Boeing, acting as the liaison with elected officials, communicating key messages, and leading strategic outreach efforts with employees, supplier bases, business organizations, and state, local, and federal officials.
Freedman served as the lead for Legislative Affairs at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas, before joining Boeing in March 2013. He was responsible for all aspects of communication and relationships between NASA JSC and the U.S. Congress, state and local governments, space-related associations, and citizen-organized space groups.
Preceding his work at NASA, Freedman was the aerospace coordinator and contract administrator for BAHEP. There he coordinated aerospace industry advocacy efforts and managed a portfolio of economic development contracts between the organization and nine municipalities. Freedman serves on numerous community organizations and boards.
Freedman holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Mississippi State University, an MBA with a graduate certificate in finance from Colorado State University, and an executive certificate in strategy and innovation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Savannah Horton
Panel 4 - Navigating Regulatory and Environmental Processes
Coastal Ecologist, TPWD
Savannah earned her B.S. in Marine and Aquatic Biology from UT Austin and her M.S. in Coastal Environmental Management from Duke University. Her background is in coastal ecology, the physiology of fish behavior, community based environmental management, and environmental education. She has worked for Texas Parks and Wildlife since 2021, and her role with the agency is to manage the restoration of degraded estuarine habitats along the upper coast of the Texas Gulf. She has worked on a variety of restoration projects, including the restoration of bird nesting islands, marshes, and subtidal and intertidal oyster reefs.y.
Robert Howden
Panel 3 - State and Federal Briefing
Senior Advisor & the Director of Legislative Affairs for Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Robert Howden is Senior Advisor and the Director of Legislative Affairs for Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
He has worked for three Texas Governors and has led two of the major state business associations in Austin, NFIB/Texas and Texas Association of Manufacturers.
Robert has also spearheaded many important legislative and economic development initiatives throughout his career. He is one of the primary architects of our state’s award-winning economic development incentive programs which made Texas the national leader in job creation year after year.
A fifth generation Texan and native Austinite, Robert was named as the “Number One Rising Star” to Watch by Mike Hailey’s Capitol Inside Texas Lobby Power Rankings in 2007. He has also spoken to numerous local civic and business groups about his political insights and experiences working within and out of the top levels of government on behalf of statewide officials.
Robert and his family are supporters of the UT System’s Chancellor’s Excellence Endowment, and they have also chaired several successful charitable fundraisers and nonprofit organizations in Austin.
Steve Kean
Panel 5 - Building for Tomorrow - Future Workforce Needs
President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership
Steve Kean is President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston region’s principal business organization. The Partnership focuses on attracting investment and trade to Houston, building a strong workforce, advocating for sound public policy, and convening a diverse set of Houstonians when major issues arise.
Prior to joining the Partnership in 2023, Steve was Chief Executive Officer of Kinder Morgan, one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America.
Steve has worked in the energy industry since 1985 in various commercial, operational and legal positions, primarily in the wholesale energy and energy transportation and storage sectors.
Steve is Chairman of the Board of the Saint Constantine School, a classical Christian school in Houston. Steve also serves on the Advisory Board of the Collaborative for Children. Steve has been an active supporter of the Saint Constantine School, Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School, KIPP Houston, the Collaborative for Children and the Houston Area Urban League.
Steve holds a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a law degree from the University of Iowa.
Steve is married to Melissa Kean. Melissa, the retired Centennial Historian for Rice University, earned her Ph.D. in history from Rice University. She is the author of Desegregating Private Higher Education in the South: Duke, Emory, Rice, Tulane, and Vanderbilt. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.
Kelly Keel
Panel 4 - Navigating Regulatory and Environmental Processes
Executive Director, TCEQ
Kelly Keel has served as the Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) since December 2023. In her role, she is responsible for managing the agency’s day-to-day operations, which includes over 3100 employees, 16 regional offices, and an annual budget of approximately $688 million.
Ms. Keel is a 24-year veteran of the TCEQ, where she has served in a variety of roles throughout the agency. Most recently, Ms. Keel served as the Director for the Office of Administrative Services, where she oversaw the agency’s budgetary, financial, information technology, and human resources functions. Ms. Keel began her TCEQ career in 2001 with the agency’s Office of Air where she was instrumental in the state’s efforts to improve air quality. In 2008, she was promoted to Director of the newly-formed Water Quality Planning Division. As Director, Ms. Keel transformed the process for improving water quality for impaired water bodies. In 2010, Ms. Keel joined the Executive Office, serving as the Executive Assistant to the then-Deputy Executive Director. Beginning in 2012 and continuing until 2018, Ms. Keel served as the Office of Compliance and Enforcement’s Area Director for the Coastal & East Texas Area. In this capacity, she was responsible for overseeing four of TCEQ’s 16 regional offices, which include Tyler, Beaumont, Houston, and Corpus Christi. During Ms. Keel’s time as the Area Director, she oversaw the fulfillment of routine investigations, responses to citizen complaints, and the agency’s response to events occurring in her area, including disasters and emergency and drinking-water events.
A native Texan, Ms. Keel earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Service and Administration from the Bush School at Texas A&M University. Ms. Keel lives in Austin and enjoys spending her free time with family. She has two children. Ms. Keel also enjoys snow skiing, water skiing, and going to the beach.
Jim Keith, PE, CFM
Panel 1 - Coalition Building Across Industries
Principal and Vice President, Freese and Nichols, Inc.
Jim Keith is a Principal and Vice President with Freese and Nichols, Inc. and currently serves as the Coastal Resilience Leader for the firm. He has 25 years of technical and managerial experience in water resources planning and design projects including flood risk management, dam and levee evaluation, and flood warning systems. Jim has had the pleasure of working for a variety of local communities, regional and state agencies, FEMA, and USACE to help identify flood risk and implement resilient flood mitigation projects throughout the Gulf Coast.
Jim received his B.S. in Hydrology and Water Resources from Tarleton State University in 2000.
Evan Mintz
Keynote Speaker
Editor of Opinion and Community Engagement at the Houston Chronicle
Evan Mintz is the editor of opinion and community engagement for the Houston Chronicle.
Mintz previously served as deputy opinion editor at the Chronicle, where he was a 2017 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing for his contributions to a series on gun laws and violence. Mintz was also part of the editorial board team that was a finalist for the 2018 Burl Osborne Award for Editorial Leadership.
A licensed attorney, Mintz began at the Chronicle as a freelance writer after leaving the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in winter 2011 and joined full-time in autumn 2012. Mintz attended the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City, where he served as editorial board editor of the Cardozo Jurist. He also worked as executive editor at the Rice Thresher, the student newspaper at Rice University, where he received a bachelor degree in history and the Bobb Award for writing and journalism. In his free time, he enjoys gardening.
Colin Parrish
Moderator - Panel 3 - State and Federal Briefing
Partner, Statehouse Consultants
Colin is a founding partner at Statehouse Consultants, where he leads policy initiatives for a diverse range of clients, guiding complex projects from initial concept through completion. His work spans developing draft legislation, creating advocacy and business development strategies, and building tailored communication materials. With deep expertise in public policy, particularly within transportation, infrastructure, procurement, public finance, tax and fiscal policy, Colin is known for his strategic, results-oriented approach.
Colin’s career began over two decades ago after he transitioned from a research lab into the world of Texas government. Rapidly rising in influence, he became Chief of Staff to a key Committee Chairman, managing multiple offices, the committee process, budgets, and legislation, including reforms in toll road contracting and procurement. He later served as an Aide and Policy Advisor to the Texas Transportation Commission, where he provided strategic advice during a critical restructuring phase. During this time, he traveled to all 25 TxDOT districts to understand their unique needs. Colin went on to serve as the Texas Governor’s Advisor for Budget, Planning, and Policy, focusing on infrastructure, budget, and economic development. He acted as the primary liaison between the Governor’s office and TxDOT, reviewing agency policies and representing Texas as a delegate to the Border Governor’s Conference.
Throughout his public service, Colin played pivotal roles in major policy initiatives. The final bill he worked on prior to leaving government service was the passage of Prop 1, a constitutional amendment that redirected a portion of the oil and gas severance tax to the state highway fund, this annual transfer started in 2015, was $3.6 billion in 2023 and represents a projected $3.0 billion in 2024. This initiative started the state’s shift away from an overreliance on federal funding that plagues many other states.
Beyond his consulting work, Colin is active in the community volunteering and serving on multiple boards, including Capitol Credit Union, and the Capital Area Council of Scouting America, where he is Vice President of Membership. He is also a founding board member of both the Coalition for Responsible Infrastructure Finance and the Texas Gulf Coast Infrastructure Coalition. Colin’s extensive service, strategic vision, and policy expertise make him a prominent figure in Texas’s public policy and infrastructure landscape.
The Honorable Dennis Paul
Keynote Speaker
Panel 3 - State and Federal Briefing
Texas House Representative - District 129
Representative Dennis Paul was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014. He represents House District 129, encompassing a portion of southeast Harris County.
Representative Paul is currently serving in his sixth legislative session. He has served on several committees, including Transportation, Insurance, Higher Education, Natural Resources, Pensions, Homeland Security, and Public Safety. Additionally, he serves as Treasurer of the House Republican Caucus.
Representative Paul has championed the Galveston Bay Storm Surge Protection Barrier throughout his tenure. His legislative efforts culminated in the creation of the Gulf Coast Protection District in 2021, facilitating collaboration with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to build and manage critical infrastructure aimed at protecting coastal communities from catastrophic storms.
Paul earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering, with a specialization in structural engineering. While at UH, he met his wife, Eliza Ching; they married in 1987. They live in Houston and are members of St. Bernadette Catholic Church.
Jessie Pegueros
Panel 5 - Building for Tomorrow - Future Workforce Needs
Recruiting Manager, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Recruiting Manager at McCarthy based in Houston, TX. In my role, I partner with business and HR Leaders to understand organizational needs and design recruiting strategies to attract and retain high-performing talent. I am particularly passionate about building teams and opportunities for craft workforce. Outside of day-to-day recruiting, I serve as a trusted advisor to leaders in our company, support workforce planning, analyze market trends, and help develop best practices for hiring craft. I also partner with CTE Programs and schools, and support initiatives to expose students to careers in construction.
Rodger Rees
Panel 1 - Coalition Building Across Industries
Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO
Rodger E. Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and chief executive officer, oversees one of the nation’s major cruise and cargo ports. The Port of Galveston is the fourth most popular cruise port in the United States, hosting more than 3.4 million cruise passengers a year. The deep-water port also is a major cargo hub, moving more than 4 million tons a year, including bulk grains, liquids, vehicles and wind turbine components.
Since Rees took the helm in January 2018, the Port of Galveston has increased net profits, developed and implemented a 20-year Strategic Master Plan, and partnered with Royal Caribbean International to build a $125 million cruise terminal complex. The port’s third cruise terminal opened in 2022.
Under Rees’s leadership, the port has developed a successful grants program, a long-term business strategy and environmental sustainability goals. In 2021, the Galveston Wharves earned its Green Marine certification, making it only the second Texas port to become accredited in the voluntary environmental program for the North American marine industry.
Rees previously served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer for Port Canaveral, the world’s second busiest cruise port. A certified public accountant, recognized by the State of Georgia, he was responsible for managing and safeguarding the port’s financial assets, as well as all financial functions.
Allen Sims
Panel 2 - Coastal Texas Update
General Manager, Jefferson County Drainage District No. 7
Allen Sims is a seasoned civil engineer with over 35 years of experience specializing in the design and construction of complex drainage, flood protection, and water management systems. A graduate of Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Mr. Sims began his career at Carroll & Blackman, Inc., where he advanced to Vice President and Owner before the firm merged with LJA Engineering in 2016. At LJA, he served as Vice President of Water Resources, leading large-scale hydrologic and hydraulic projects across Texas. His technical expertise spans hydrology, hydraulics, storm water pump station design, transportation and general civil site design.
Currently serving as General Manager of Jefferson County Drainage District No. 7, Mr. Sims oversees the operation and maintenance of a comprehensive coastal storm risk management system, over 280 miles of regional drainage channels, and 20 pump stations. His tenure as General Manager began in December of 2024 after previously serving as the Assistant Manager, District Engineer, and an engineering consultant to the District for over 25 years. His leadership has guided the design and construction of critical flood protection infrastructure, including the Alligator Bayou Pump Station Annex, the Halbouty Detention Facility, and now the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. Throughout his career, Mr. Sims has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to protecting communities through innovative engineering, efficient operations, and collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies.
Amy Skicki
Moderator - Panel 4 - Navigating Regulatory and Environmental Processes
Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership
President & CEO
Amy Skicki brings over 30 years of leadership and management experience across the military, private sector, and nonprofit organizations. A U.S. Army veteran, she served seven years on active duty as an Automated Logistical Specialist, achieving the rank of Sergeant E-5, with assignments in Ft. Polk, LA, Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Korea, Ft. Bragg, NC, and Germany. Following her military service, for 16 years she successfully led operations at Prairie Athletic Club, the largest health and recreation facility in the Midwest.
Amy holds an Associate of Arts in Web and Digital Media Design from Madison Area Technical College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Herzing University, both located in Madison, WI. Prior to joining BayTran, she served as the Executive Director of the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce in Wisconsin. Since 2021, Amy has led BayTran, applying her diverse expertise to advance transportation initiatives throughout the Bay Area Houston region.
Skylar Smith
Panel 5 - Building for Tomorrow - Future Workforce Needs
Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor at Kiewit
Skylar is a Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor at Kiewit, based in Houston, Texas where he and his family (wife: Jessica and daughter: Charlie) reside. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, he began his career in agency recruiting before joining Kiewit in January 2022 as a Talent Acquisition Advisor, initially supporting varius areas of civil construction. Over time, his responsibilities grew to support niche areas including tunneling, marine construction, electrical construction, and mission critical work. Through these experiences, he advanced into the role of Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor, building a reputation for strong partnerships and effective talent strategies. His focus is on attracting and securing top talent to support Kiewit’s growing business.
Nicole Sunstrum
Moderator - Panel 2 - Coastal Texas Update
Partner at Capitol Law & Consulting Group
Nicole Sunstrum joined the Capitol Law and Consulting Group in 2024. Nicole has extensive experience working in Texas Government with over 20 years of government experience, including 15 years of legislative experience at the Texas Capitol, having served 10 legislative sessions in both the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
Most recently, Nicole was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve as the first Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Protection District. In this role, she led the District’s government relations and stakeholder management efforts, securing almost $600 million in state appropriations for the District’s projects. She also led the District’s federal efforts including pursuing federal appropriations and issues relating to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The District is the non-federal sponsor of Coastal Texas Project- the largest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works project in U.S. history.
Nicole performed various roles in the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives. Her policy areas included natural resources, finance, economic development, infrastructure, and intergovernmental relations. She served as chief clerk of multiple House and Senate committees.
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in Government and a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University with a focus on Urban and Environmental Planning.
The Honorable Larry Taylor
Panel 3 - State and Federal Briefing
MoakCasey, Vice President
Larry Taylor joined MoakCasey in 2024 as Vice President. For two decades, Taylor has been a dedicated public servant and a steadfast advocate for Texas students and teachers. He served in the Texas Senate for five legislative sessions, including four as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee.
Before his election to the Texas Senate in 2012, Taylor served five terms in the Texas House of Representatives. He was integral to the 2019 passage of House Bill 3, the $11.6 billion school finance overhaul that boosted per-student funding and reduced property taxes.
He is the former owner of Truman Taylor Insurance Agency in Friendswood, an independent agency started by his father more than 50 years ago. In addition, Taylor has served as a Director and Chairman of the Board for Texan Bank
Ryan Vise
Panel 4 - Navigating Environmental and Regulatory Processes
Director, External Relations at TCEQ
Ryan Vise is a Director of External Relations at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). With over 10 years of experience, he possesses a wealth of skills and expertise in government affairs, communication, earned media, media outreach, public policy, strategic media development, and crisis communication. He also currently serves as the Senior Advisor to TCEQ’s Deputy Executive Director for the RESTORE Council.
He has held various roles in Texas government, including Director of External Affairs and Director of Communications and Intergovernmental Relations at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. He also worked as a Policy Advisor for the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and as an Advance Specialist/Government Affairs Associate at Copart. Vise holds a degree in Political Science & Economics from Texas Tech University.
Tony Williams
Galveston Shoreline Bus Tour
Panel 2 - Coastal Texas Update
Senior Director of Planning, Coastal Resources at Texas General Land Office
Tony Williams is a marine biologist with the Coastal Resources Program of the Texas General Land Office (GLO) where his primary responsibilities include the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan, working with USACE on other studies and regulatory issues, and derelict structure removal and disaster response. Prior to his current position he was the Director of the Coastal Resources Field Operation, and a biologist in both the Upper and Lower Coast Field Offices. Before coming to the GLO he worked in USACE Galveston District Regulatory and at the National Marine Fisheries Service where he worked on seagrass ecology.
Reem Zoun
Panel 4 - Navigating Regulatory and Environmental Processes
Assistant Deputy Executive Administrator, Texas Water Development Board
Reem Zoun, PE, CFM, is the Assistant Deputy Executive Administrator of the Office of Planning at the Texas Water Development Board. Reem led the effort to develop and is the primary author of the multiple award-winning statewide flood planning program for the State of Texas. She is also the key author of Texas’ first, the 2024 Texas State Flood Plan, that was adopted on August 15th, 2024. Reem oversees the flood planning division and provides technical support to the Water Supply Planning. She has over 24 years of private and public sector experience in engineering, flood risk reduction projects, modeling, mapping, capital improvement project portfolio management and delivery, management, and leadership. Prior to joining the TWDB in 2019, Reem worked for the City of Austin, AECOM, the University of Texas at Austin, Pasminco Elura Mine, and Victoria Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Australia. Reem has multiple publications and presented in various conferences.
Reem has a MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and an undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering with First Class Honours from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. Reem received the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Austin Branch 2017 Civil Engineer of the Year award. In 2011, she was awarded as the Young Engineer of the Year by Texas Society of Professional Engineers Travis Chapter.
A runner and a gardener, Reem’s favorite part of life is being the mother of her two boys, sixteen-year-old Neal and eleven-year-old Aurko..