Cancelling your registration will remove your access to the event. If you proceed, you will no longer be able to participate or access event-related materials.
Deleting your account will remove your access to the event.
On August 6-8, 2024, the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) is presenting its Lone Star Sustainability Forum-Making Impact Through the Built Environment. This year's theme is "Elemental."
One of the most exciting aspects of this Forum is the bringing together of multiple organizations including project Owners, for-profits and nonprofits, K-12’s and higher education, cities and counties and other governmental agencies, as well as architects, engineers, solution providers/vendors, and contractors to collaboratively present and discuss issues and ideas related to sustainability and resiliency, with a Texas focus.
This event is a catalyst for public and private project Owners and stakeholders to holistically gather information and momentum as we bring the resources and vision needed to achieve the goal of zero carbon emissions from the built environment, and address site planning, water, green space and the natural environment, transportation, infrastructure, leadership, economics, equity, among other topics that come naturally out of conversation and discussion.
Step into a sustainable future at the I-LinCP 2024 Lonestar Sustainability Forum, where we are dedicated to harnessing the power of the built environment to drive positive change. This forum is your gateway to explore, discuss, and take action on sustainability within the realms of architecture, construction, and infrastructure.
With its theme of "Elemental," we will consider what is now "fundamental" to our understanding of how best to improve our environmental and lessen negative impacts, new ideas and technologies, and how the four classic natural elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water can be weaved into how we think about our built environment, with a focus on public projects.
Join us in this gathering of professionals, do-ers, and visionaries, where collaboration, knowledge sharing, and actionable insights are paramount. Wherever you work or engage in the built-environment, a public or private Owner, designer, builder, sustainability advocate, attorney, consultant, developer, student, or an enthusiast eager to make a difference, this Forum provides an engaging platform for diverse perspectives to converge.
.png)
Join us in the bar area of Embassy Suites for a casual get-together. Meet up with your panel, get to know the presenters, visit with sponsors, and network with other attendees! | Sponsored by PAGE/ Nguyen “Tom” Griggs Nguyen “Tom” Griggs Peter Sakai Carol Warkoczewski David Marquis, author of The River Always Wins and The River of Goodness, provides the Day 1 morning keynote, "The Green Path Forward." Every day, posits Marquis, every single human has to make a choice: accept the world the way it is or work to make it better. Each of us can pursue the work of goodness in many ways. The River of Goodness, the second volume in Marquis’s River Trilogy, provides real-world examples of people who have taken on the work of goodness, whether through thankless tasks or in dangerous and challenging circumstances. Marquis uses the river as a symbol of natural persistence and resilience, illustrating how these qualities can guide urban sustainability efforts. He'll discuss strategic, community-driven approaches to environmental challenges, highlighting the importance of aligning urban development with nature's inherent systems of renewal and recovery. Marquis' insights will inspire attendees to embrace a green path forward, leveraging the lessons of nature to foster sustainable, resilient urban environments across Texas and beyond. David Marquis Sponsored by: Room Host: Will Carroll, Satterfield & Pontikes Moderator: Suzanne Williams, Texas Water Company Presenters/Panel: This panel will explore innovative approaches to creating sustainable urban and regional natural environments. The discussion will focus on how strategic development of connected green spaces can not only conserve natural habitats but also enhance community connectivity and accessibility. Speakers will share insights on incorporating equity and accessibility into trail development, showcasing projects like the Columbia Tap Trail as exemplars of integrating community needs with environmental sustainability. Additionally, the conversation will cover practical strategies for boosting biodiversity in urban settings, highlighting how ecological resiliency can be achieved through thoughtful urban design and planning that interweaves natural elements seamlessly with built environments. This session promises to provide a broad perspective on optimizing land use to foster environmental integrity and livability in community projects and policies. Suzanne Williams Garry Merritt Kimberly Phipps-Nichol Lee Marlowe Will Carroll Room Host: Andy Albin, HKS Moderator: Leslie Antunez, City of San Antonio This panel will focus on the transformative effects of innovative planning processes and technologies on urban development, addressing challenges such as climate resilience and urban heat islands. Discussions will explore the role of nature-based solutions in enhancing ecological and societal resilience, emphasizing green infrastructure's contribution to sustainable urban environments. Additionally, the use of AI, algorithms, and geospatial analysis in urban planning will be discussed, highlighting their effectiveness in fostering equity and inclusivity, particularly for disadvantaged populations. This session will provide valuable insights into utilizing advanced tools to shape sustainable and equitable urban futures. Leslie Antunez Julio Carrillo Michelle Garza Mikel Wilkins Dan Boice Andy Albin Extreme heat is an increasingly important factor impacting the success of cities, campuses, and institutions. With climate change, we can expect to see more heatwaves and elevated temperatures in the future. We can expect a more intense and longer summer; experts predict that the number of 95+ degree days will increase dramatically. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US, and the number of deaths from heat are grossly underestimated. Heat can also contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory illness, and impact individuals’ physical activity levels and well-being. Public owners can respond to this trend by incorporating heat mitigation strategies into plans and projects, not only to address climate change, but also to address the health and safety of citizens, students, and personnel. Wendy Heger Kevin Lanza Angela Cotie The TTBP is a non-profit committed to healing the generational trauma of Lipan Apache descendants and other native nations bordering traditional Lipan Apache ranges. The presentation will cover the TTBP's journey from creation to current, plus show its future plans created in conjunction with the AIA San Antonio Professional Practice Leadership Program. Lucille Contreras Ethan Ryden Stephanie Aranda Room Host: Dan Conaway, ADS Moderator: Omar David Land, Bartlett Cocke Presenters/Panel: This topic will take a deeper dive into the issues of resiliency as it relates to utilities and certain infrastructures. Each panelist will bring their unique and different perspective on how their organizations deal with infrastructure during times of stress to the systems. These stresses can come from areas outside their organizations as well as inside them. As communities grow with expanding populations, associated infrastructure systems must find new ways to serve them. Funding, design, and construction are all affected. Couple this with the need for a more sustainable approach, and the challenge is great. Hear how some of our finest cities and organizations are dealing with these issues in a more sustainable and efficient manner. Come join us and bring your experiences to discuss. Omar Land Jim Walker Matt Stevens Jeremy Hanzlik Dan Conaway Room Host: David Carter Moderator: Jonathan Kraatz, USGBC Presenters/Panel: Reducing the environmental impact of transportation is a key strategy for a resilient future. Transportation contributes to harmful emissions, noise, climate change, and equity disparity. The concept of sustainable transportation and enhanced mobility are inextricably linked with the development of transport modes, infrastructures, and operations. Looking beyond current practices, this panel will explore these key factors through the lens of policy, changing customer habits, and innovation. The panelist will discuss how the experiences learned from progressive, rapidly growing cities can be applied to reshape mobility throughout the United States. Jonathan Kraatz Lisa Storer Joey Pawlik Mike Trimble David Carter Sponsored by: In response to the challenges posed by intense rainfall and escalating stormwater impacts in NC-TX, Aaron’s presentation will cover a multi-year initiative designed to address flooded roadways, neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure in rapidly developing areas. The study is funded with over $10 million from state and federal agencies and aims to integrate stormwater, transportation, and environmental planning. Aaron Hoff Sponsored by: David Marquis Sponsored by: Nguyen “Tom” Griggs Nguyen “Tom” Griggs Josh Gerken Carol Warkoczewski Join Emily Hand from Verdical Group as she presents an enlightening session on "Designing for Decarbonization." With extensive experience in sustainable design and construction, Emily will guide us through the definitions and significance of decarbonization, Zero Net Energy (ZNE), and Zero Net Carbon (ZNC) buildings. Emily will share valuable insights from real-world case studies, detailing the design and construction processes essential for achieving high-performance buildings. She will also delve into key market trends in energy efficiency, green building code requirements, and both proven and emerging technologies. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of operational best practices and access to a wealth of resources and tools designed to aid building owners, operators, and end users in transitioning towards a decarbonized future. Emily’s presentation will equip you with practical next steps and actionable insights to contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon built environment. Emily Hand Sponsored by: John Byrd Justin McCain Room Host: Geoff Garber, Brayn Moderator: Angela Cotie, Bartlett Cocke Presenters/Panel: This panel will focus on innovative design and construction practices that promote sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint within the built environment. Discussions will explore the use of mass timber and advanced commercial roofing to enhance structural efficiency and energy performance. It will also highlight the role of architecture in driving environmental change in Texas, showcasing how strategic design can catalyze sustainability. Additionally, innovative methods for decarbonizing construction materials like concrete will be examined, emphasizing new strategies for reducing environmental impact. Attendees will gain insights into how sustainable building practices can lead to more resilient and eco-friendly developments. Angela Cotie Darrell Whatley Melody Jackson Geoff Garber Justin McCain John Byrd Room Host: Ford Cunningham Moderator: Mike Lackey, LCCx Presenters/Panel: This panel presentation and discussion will explore how planning processes and technologies impact the way we shape our cities for the future and how we respond to growing challenges of climate and equity and improving climatic resiliency. Experts will share experiences in the development of standards, code review, comprehensive planning, and implementing goals across multiple scales of development. The discussion will examine the implications that macro-scale planning decisions can have on individual projects and how they can enable small-scale innovations to have an out-sized impact. Mike Lackey Mark Mikulin Andre Lehr Rezaur Rahman Chuck Smith Ford Cunningham Join an intimate panel discussion featuring local practitioners and USGBC staff, focusing on the upcoming LEED v5 green building certification system. This new iteration is designed to steer the built environment toward a sustainable future characterized by low carbon emissions, resilience, and equitable resource use. The session will delve into how LEED v5 and related tools are set to enhance decarbonization, improve quality of life, and aid in the conservation and restoration of ecological assets. Through a dialogue-based format, participants will gain valuable insights into USGBC's comprehensive approach to fostering a complete ecosystem for green building. Umesh Atre Ryan Snow Texas leads the country in billion-dollar weather disasters, within the top 5 for each kind of weather disaster tallied by NOAA. This presentation is focused on how the different areas of the state are addressing environmental and infrastructure issues, opportunities and constraints around earth, air, fire and water. Susan Alvarez Fernando Liando Mali Calvo Room Host: Rob Stelling Moderator: Carol Warkoczewski, I-LinCP Presenters/Panel: What does “leadership” mean in terms of sustainability efforts in our industry? What’s holding us back? Where do we go from here? This topic's presentations and the subsequent lively discussion will focus on the importance of leadership in producing climate-sensitive design and how public-facing projects and Owners’ organizations are implementing innovative solutions and best-practices to achieve better outcomes. Carol Warkoczewski Jennifer DiCocco Jessica Young Kyle Anderson Darien Clary Rob Stelling Room Host: Kirby Braun Moderator: Chris Carruth, CM Consulting Presenters/Panel: This session explores the relationship between economic frameworks and sustainable practices, highlighting how values-based strategies can drive financial success and environmental stewardship. Presentations will cover the financial implications of unsustainable practices, the hidden costs in conventional accounting, innovative approaches for incorporating ecological considerations into financial reporting, and the benefits of sustainable investments with compounding returns. Join us for insights on aligning business strategies with environmental values to achieve a prosperous and sustainable future. Steve Hennigan Chris Carruth David MacLean Kirby Braun This presentation explores the pivotal role of leadership in embedding sustainable practices within organizations. Join us as we examine how leaders can effectively engage employees and integrate environmental, social, & governance (ESG) criteria into the core operations to foster a sustainable organizational culture. We will discuss strategies for enhancing employee commitment with targeted hiring, effective retention, & leadership development focused on sustainability. Attendees will gain insights into creating a resilient workforce aligned with long-term sustainability goals and learn actionable strategies for building an organization that prioritizes impactful, sustainable outcomes. Ardith Rademacher Chris Carruth
AGENDA
6th August 2024
6 August, 2024 03:00 pm
Vendor Booth Set Up (outside Bluebonnet Conference Rooms)
6 August, 2024 05:00 pm
Meet-and-Greet
7th August 2024
7 August, 2024 07:15 am
Check-In, Networking Breakfast + Sponsor Booths | (Speaker Room open)
7 August, 2024 08:00 am
Audience Welcome & Warm-up
Founder
Lead, Connect, Grow
Nguyen “Tom” Griggs
Dr. Nguyen “Tom” Griggs is a native Houstonian, a happy family man, a lifelong learner & a martial artist teacher with almost 30 years of experience. His doctorate studies focused on college choice and student success. Tom’s company Lead Connect Grow LLC focuses on helping organizations build cultures of curiosity and resiliency. His clients often leave his sessions feeling empowered, engaged, educated, and changed. In his spare time, Tom enjoys playing the guitar, grilling, studying AI and writing.
7 August, 2024 08:15 am
Welcome | Opening Remarks by Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai
Founder
Lead, Connect, Grow
Nguyen “Tom” Griggs
Dr. Nguyen “Tom” Griggs is a native Houstonian, a happy family man, a lifelong learner & a martial artist teacher with almost 30 years of experience. His doctorate studies focused on college choice and student success. Tom’s company Lead Connect Grow LLC focuses on helping organizations build cultures of curiosity and resiliency. His clients often leave his sessions feeling empowered, engaged, educated, and changed. In his spare time, Tom enjoys playing the guitar, grilling, studying AI and writing.
Judge
Bexar County
Peter Sakai
Peter Sakai's journey is deeply rooted in his family's history and dedication to justice. His grandparents immigrated from Japan to the United States, with his maternal grandparents settling in South Texas and his father's family in California's Imperial Valley. During World War II, his father, Pete, experienced the injustices of Japanese Internment Camps, an ordeal that profoundly influenced Peter's commitment to defending the Constitution and the Rule of Law.
Peter graduated from the University of Texas in 1976 and the University of Texas School of Law in 1979. He began his career as an Appellate Assistant D.A. in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office and soon opened his own successful law practice. In 1995, he was appointed Associate Judge of the Children's Court, where he introduced innovative programs that significantly increased foster child adoptions and supported struggling families.
Encouraged by peers and community leaders, Peter ran for the 225th State District Court, winning decisively. As a judge, he has implemented cost-saving protocols and pioneering programs like the Family Drug Court, Early Childhood Court, and the College Bound Docket, all of which have gained national recognition for their impact.
Peter's success is bolstered by his family's support. His wife, Raquel “Rachel” Sakai, a dedicated public servant and educator, has also been honored for her community contributions. Together, they have two children, George and Elizabeth, and two grandchildren, Jackson and Grayson.
Join us at the Lone Star Sustainability Forum to hear Judge Sakai discuss his transformative leadership and the innovative solutions he has developed to enhance justice and community well-being.
Founder & CVO/CEO
Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP)
Carol Warkoczewski
Carol Warkoczewski’s passion is leading people, projects, and organizations to excellence. As an architect with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Ethics (MSOLE) from St. Edwards University and 40+ years of professional experience, she is an industry leader.
Throughout her life and career, Carol has been a student of human growth and expansion, and she brings her skills and passion into leadership development and coaching as well as assisting teams to excel.
Carol’s resume includes working within private-practice architectural firms as well as at the University of Texas System-Facilities Planning and Construction, and at the City of San Antonio as City Architect, from which she is now retired. She is also the Principal of Synergy Builders Consulting, LLC, focused on building leaders, teams, projects and organizations that are based on mutual trust, shared values, and effective communication.
In 2010, to increase the reach of her people and values-centered focus, Carol founded the nonprofit, Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP). Led by Carol, I-LinCP organizes its annual “Invest in Women Forum,” focused on building personal skills and capacity for women and non-binary people in the design and construction industry.
Carol speaks nationally and internationally about the power of collaboration and values-based leadership, and has a special focus on women in the workplace.
In 2019, Carol was awarded the prestigious LUNA award by the Hispanic Regional Contractors Association for outstanding professional of the year in San Antonio. In March 2021, Carol was commissioned a “Yellow Rose of Texas” by the State of Texas for outstanding community leadership and volunteerism, and in August 2021 was awarded a San Antonio Business Journal Women’s Award.
7 August, 2024 08:30 am
Opening Keynote | David Marquis, Author, "The River Always Wins"
Advisor, City of Dallas Environmental Commission
Author, "The River Always Wins" and "The River of Goodness"
David Marquis
"The River Always Wins: The Green Path Forward"
David Marquis is currently an advisor to the City of Dallas Environmental Commission. He is a long-time activist and author, most recently of "The River Always Wins," as well as the newly released, "The River of Goodness," which is the second book in his "The River" trilogy.
Mr. Marquis is the founder of the 118-acre Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, which saved virgin urban forest from being bulldozed. The preserve became a national model for sustainability and affordability. It is thought to be the first use of a conservation easement in Dallas zoning history and provided 250 units of affordable senior housing, a new library built to Silver LEED standards, a new elementary school, and eight miles of hike and bike trails. He began chairing the Mayor’s Green Building Task Force in Dallas in 2006, which has rewritten the building and development codes of the city in order to create a more sustainable future. He participated in and led efforts to create the new City of Dallas Tree Ordinance and the new Park Land Dedication Ordinance. These efforts, along with influencing the passage of the Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance, led to the greenest month in Dallas history in June of 2018, with the passage of three major environmental ordinances with unanimous votes from the Dallas City Council on all three initiatives. In addition, he played an essential role in developing the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan, passed unanimously by the Dallas City Council in May of 2020. He is also considered to be the father of the Blue/Green/Grey holistic infrastructure movement.
7 August, 2024 09:15 am
AM BREAK - Meet the Speaker; Transition to Breakouts
7 August, 2024 09:35 am
KEY TOPIC 1: PLANNING – BREAKOUT SESSIONS
7 August, 2024 09:35 am
Sub 1: Resources & Land Use
Water Conservation Supervisor
Texas Water Company
Suzanne Williams
With a Masters in Environmental and Resource Studies from Texas State University, Suzanne Williams has dedicated her career to utilities and operations, with a focus on resource conservation. She is currently leading Texas Water Company in in their commitment to water conservation. Suzanne loves to run, hike, and is passionate about serving. In addition to her involvement and leadership in many community organizations, she is also on the National Board for the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects.
CEO
Great Springs Project
Garry Merritt
"Great Springs Project: A Vision for Texas' Future"
The Great Springs Project (GSP) aims to conserve 50,000 acres of protected lands between Austin and San Antonio over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. These green spaces will be connected by a 100-mile network of spring-to-spring trails, linking Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs, and San Antonio Springs. GSP, a regional nonprofit, collaborates with local organizations, city and county governments, and project partners to enhance trail and conservation efforts across Travis, Hays, Comal, and Bexar Counties. This presentation will explore GSP’s mission implementation, coordination with local entities, and the collaborative efforts driving the creation of this extensive trail network, addressing transportation, drainage, and park space challenges.
Join Garry at this year's Lone Star Sustainability Forum to learn about this legacy project and its impact on Texas.
BIO:
Garry Merritt, CEO of Great Springs Project. Garry Merritt serves as the CEO of Great Springs Project. He offers a unique combination of business development savvy, real estate law expertise, government service, and long-standing commitment to the conservation of Texas’ natural resources. A former Real County Judge, Real County Attorney, and corporate counsel, Garry’s legal expertise includes real estate transactions, real estate finance, water rights, business development, and contract negotiations. He is Board Certified in Farm and Ranch Real Estate Law, a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and holds degrees from Rice University and The University of Texas School of Law. Garry has served as Board Chairman of the Hill Country Alliance, the Middle Rio Grande Development Council, and the Southwest Area Regional Transit District. Before joining Great Springs Project, Garry served as General Counsel and Legislative Director of the Texas Association of Counties which represents all 254 counties in Texas with over 2,500 elected officials.
Founder
Blue Water Studio
Kimberly Phipps-Nichol
Co-emcee and Presenter
"Trail Tales: Elemental Equity for the Columbia Tap Trail"
Houston’s 3rd Ward is a culturally rich, historically African-American neighborhood, that includes numerous educational and cultural gems.
Like the Columbia Tap Trail, which sits atop the abandoned Columbia Tap Railroad route - originally built in the 1850’s by enslaved men to
transport cotton and sugar from plantation to port. Completed in 2009, CTT faces a complex stewardship challenge as is spans multiple
districts and jurisdictions, all with distinct characters, histories, and cultures. The sidewalk is maintained by Houston Public Works, with 6’
to either side of the walkway being the responsibility of Houston Parks and Recreation. The Trail is also included in the Harris County Toll
Road Authority’s Destination Trail study and the Houston Park’s Board Beyond the Bayous Initiative. This session will share how multiple
community focused initiatives and consistent community engagement have helped to develop the Columbia Tap Trail Action Plan and
Housing and Economic Justice Plan.
BIO:
Using the sustainable design and conscious capitalism business principles of People, Planet, and Prosperity, Kimberly helps organizations
create inspiring environments, increase human and societal well-being, exceed environmental expectations, and move beyond profitability
and into prosperity. The daughter of pediatric healthcare professionals, Kimberly grew up working in several children’s health facilities in her
native Florida. Early on, she witnessed numerous childhood ailments that were suspicious in their origin, many of these ailments seemingly
exacerbated by occupancy within certain buildings or near polluting industries. This experience left a lasting impression that underscores
Kimberly’s career path in building healthy, sustainable communities. In 2004 she founded Blue Water Studio, a commercial design and
planning firm, specializing in Healthcare, Community and Sustainability projects. She can frequently be found advocating for equitable and
just access to greenspaces, clean air and water, local nutritious foods and responsible development projects that will benefit all.
Sustainable Landscape Ecologist
San Antonio River Authority
Lee Marlowe
"Inspiring Biodiversity, Conservation, and Resiliency in the Built Environment"
The urban environment has historically been built without consideration for healthy ecosystems and over time, we've realized that the elimination of ecological functions on project sites is detrimental for both humans and the environment. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) demonstrate that ecosystem services can successfully be integrated into urban areas for the benefit of people and nature. The San Antonio River Authority has installed a variety of NbS practices on multiple urban properties to serve as demonstration sites showing the varied stacked benefits that can arise from these applications.
The River Authority began incorporating NbS practices at their two major urban office facilities in 2013 through various retrofit projects. Outcomes of these projects will show the benefits of integrating local native plants within the built environment which include ecological benefits as well as opportunities for education and outreach that inform and inspire community-based resource stewardship and biodiversity conservation. In this session, Lee Marlowe will highlight projects along the San Antonio River that converted degraded sites with lifeless landscape elements into attractive spaces where people enjoy spending time, ecosystems are supported, landscapes are resilient, nature can thrive, and water quality benefits can be achieved.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
1. Attendees will understand the role of plant selection in biodiversity conservation.
2. Attendees will understand the benefits of native plants for biodiversity conservation.
3. Attendees will be able to apply fundamental principles of plant selection for site resiliency and biodiversity conservation for public and private projects.
4. Attendees will understand their role in implementing biodiversity conservation for the benefit of people, places, and the planet.
Bio:
Lee Marlowe is a restoration ecologist with over 25 years of
professional experience working in the field of ecological restoration and natural resource management including sustainable landscape practices and applications for improved ecological functions. Her expertise includes use of native plants to provide wildlife habitat, biodiversity, water quality benefits, bank/site stabilization and aesthetic beauty in landscapes of all sizes. She currently serves as the Sustainable Landscape Ecologist for the San Antonio River Authority providing ecological expertise to support a variety of projects and efforts. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior from the University of Minnesota where she was inspired to
reverse the negative impacts of habitat fragmentation and destruction through applied ecology and the restoration of native habitats.
Room Host
Business Development Manager
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction
Will Carroll
Room Host
Will Carrol is an experienced Business Development Manager and Account Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry. Strong sales professional skilled in Market Research, Brand Management, Time Management, and Teamwork.
7 August, 2024 09:35 am
Sub 2: Cities & Regions
Presenters/Panel:
Sr. Municipal Sustainability Manager
City of San Antonio
Leslie Antunez
Leslie Antunez is a dedicated and committed public servant with 17 years of service specializing in climate initiatives, public information, crisis and media communication strategies, and community engagement and education.
As the Senior Municipal Sustainability Manager, she is responsible for overseeing the City's municipal climate planning and implementation efforts, including projects such as the Urban Heat Island/Cool Pavement pilots and assisting with the municipal on-site solar project.
Alumna: New Mexico State University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and Texas Women's Leadership Institute.
Senior Planner + Urban Design Manager
Parkhill
Julio Carrillo
"AI, Algorithms and Geospatial Analysis | Planning for Disadvantaged"
Sustainable Planning for Cities and Communities can be a complex task. The diversity of contextual layers within the communities we live in can be environmental, economic, or educational. This session will showcase an example of how technologies like artificial intelligence, and specific algorithms, can bring relevant solutions to disadvantaged communities. The session will also introduce the Planning2050 initiative which aims to connect cities and communities for effective planning with its dashboard platform.
Bio:
Julio Carrillo, AICP, LEED AP ND, is a Senior Planner & Manager with Parkhill’s Planning Sector. Julio is a Certified Planner (AICP), Peruvian Architect (CAP), and LEED Accredited Professional. He co-founded and directed Peru’s Green Building Council. He served as chair in Austin's AIA Urban Design Committee (2022), and as the chair of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Urban Land Institute of Austin – Texas (2022). Julio is also a board member of the Downtown Austin Alliance (2024). He has been awarded and recognized for his urban design practice. In 2021 Julio was selected as an International Expert of a group leading a research team of young professionals planning the future of cities in Asia. In 2023, Julio was the General Co-Rapporteur of the 59th World Planning Congress (Toronto, Canada).
Julio is Director at Planning Commitment Inc ( www.planningcommitment.org ), forging the implementation of the PLANNING 2050 initiative: a commitment for cities, communities, planning professionals, firms, and organizations to take action that positively impact aspects of Equity, Climate Change and Resiliency.
Planning Specialist
San Antonio River Authority
Michelle Garza
"The Heat is On! Understanding San Antonio's Urban Heat Island and What We Can Do About It"
The heat is on! Major urban areas are experiencing rising temperatures, exacerbated by human activities, forming a "heat bubble" known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI). This phenomenon leads to higher temperatures, impacting human health, power consumption, air and water quality, and more. This session will cover:
Original research on San Antonio's UHI over the past seven decades.
Novel methodologies for creating climate data tailored to urban environments to accurately reflect UHI effects.
Positive initiatives implemented to mitigate heat and improve water quality.
Heat reduction strategies employed by the City of San Antonio.
Bio:
Michelle Garza brings over a decade of experience in environmental science and sustainable energy, combined with her background in business management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).
Michelle has been an integral part of the Sustainable Infrastructure/Planning Unit at the San Antonio River Authority for over eight years. In her role, she focuses on educating the community about nature-based stormwater solutions to enhance water quality and the urban environment. As the development coordinator for SARA, she collaborates with developers within mandatory coordination areas, such as the River Improvement Overlay District and Westside Creeks Water Quality Overlay, to ensure their projects incorporate LID/green infrastructure, thereby protecting the community's investment in the health and recreation of local creeks and rivers.
Additionally, Michelle has conducted research and presented on nature-based infrastructure as a mitigation strategy to reduce urban heat islands, contributing to improved water quality and quality of life in San Antonio and beyond.
Senior Engineer
San Antonio River Authority
Mikel Wilkins
"Planning and Prioritizing Implementation of Nature Based Solutions in the San Antonio River Basin"
San Antonio River Authority has completed a master plan for nature based solutiong for the Leon Creek watershed and is now developing the same for the Upper San Antonio and Salado Creek watersheds. SARA is prioritizing work within the boundaries of the San Antonio Tomorrow Phase 4 Community Area Plans and areas identified by the City of San Antonio as Cool Neighborhood pilot projects. While the primary intent of these nature based solutions will be to improve water quality within these watersheds a special emphasis is being placed on implementing NBS that provide many more benefits including climate mitigation and quality of life improvements in an equitable manner. This presentation will briefly review recommendations of the Leon Creek master plan and discuss the direction of the Upper SA River and Salado Creek watershed master plans.
Bio: Mikel Wilkins is a Senior Engineer at San Antonio River Authority where he leads a team of engineers, planners, and landscape designers in the development of nature based solutions master plans for major watersheds of the SA River basin. Mr. Wilkins is a professional environmental engineer with 30 years of experience focusing on planning and design of nature-based solutions, parks, and trails throughout the United States. He has also worked as an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University within the Masters of Sustainable Design program teaching sustainability frameworks including SITES and Envision since 2018.
Founder & Principal Astronomer
Scientific Studies & Consulting
Dan Boice
Dr. Daniel Boice is the founder and principal astronomer at Scientific Studies & Consulting in San Antonio, TX. He received his Ph.D. in astronomy at New Mexico State University in 1985. Prior to his present position, he spent 26 years in the Space Science & Engineering Division at Southwest Research Institute, where he specialized in cometary research sponsored by NASA and the National Science Foundation. Concurrently, he held a joint appointment to the Department of Physics and Astronomy faculty at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he taught undergraduate and graduate courses for 20 years. He has also given numerous public lectures to audiences of all ages. During his career, Dr. Boice has developed computer models that has been successfully used to interpret spacecraft data and ground-based observations of many comets. He has also developed an interest and expertise in the urban climate, especially the Urban Heat Island, when in the early 1990s he co-discovered San Antonio's UHI. Dr. Boice has an extensive research record that includes over 80 peer-reviewed research papers, several hundred conference reports, and the books, Comets in the 21st Century: A Personal Guide to Experiencing the Next Great Comet! (Morgan & Claypool, 2019) and Solar System: Between Fire and Ice (CRC Press, 2021). He has served in leadership positions in several professional societies and spent a number of years abroad teaching and working with colleagues in Germany, Japan, France, Thailand, and Brazil. When not engaged in professional activities, Daniel loves collecting books and rock ‘n’ roll music, board gaming, and rice farming with his family in northern Thailand.
Room Host |
Principal, Senior Vice President
HKS
Andy Albin
Room Host
Andy is the Principal, Senior Vice President, and Studio Practice Leader for Education in the Austin office of HKS, Andy Albin has over 30 years of experience working in the architecture and engineering industries. Andy received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Architecture degree from Rice University, and an Executive MBA from UT Austin. His experience is predominantly in the higher education market sector, with an emphasis on academic, student life, health education, and campus planning projects for large-scale public institutions. Andy has experience working for the Texas A&M, University of Texas, University of Houston, Texas State, and Texas Tech Systems. He has participated in and presented at regional and national higher education conferences for over a decade. Andy has also taught and/or lectured at The University of Texas at Austin, Rice University, and the University of Oklahoma.
7 August, 2024 11:00 am
Transition to General Session
7 August, 2024 11:15 am
KEY TOPIC 1: PLANNING - GENERAL SESSION
Principal
Page/
Wendy Heger
Leading Presentation: "Extreme Heat and Public Projects"
BIO:
Wendy Heger leads the Civic / Community / Culture Market Sector for Page, a multidisciplinary design, architecture, and engineering firm. While Chief of Design & Construction at the City of Houston, she initiated implementation of the LEED rating system for City projects.
-Kevin Lanza is Assistant Professor for Epidemiology, Human Genetics, Environmental Sciences at UT Health. His research explores the relations between the environment, health behaviors, and health through an equity lens, with a focus on extreme heat and physical activity of children and other heat-sensitive populations.
Assistant Professor
UT Health
Kevin Lanza
Leading Presentation: "Extreme Heat and Public Projects"
BIO:
Kevin Lanza is an Assistant Professor at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. His research explores the relations between the environment, health, and well-being through a social equity lens, with a focus on extreme heat and physical activity of children and other populations disproportionately impacted by heat. He currently serves on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Board of Scientific Counselors and Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee.
Vice President
Bartlett Cocke
Angela Cotie
Angela Cotie serves as Vice President of Operations – East Texas. Angela is a talented and accomplished executive leader who brings well over 20 years of construction experience in project and program management, business development, operations and planning. She has a strong network of clients, partner architectural firms, subcontractors, and industry associations in a wide variety of markets. She is active in the ACE Mentor Program
7 August, 2024 12:30 pm
LUNCH + PRESENTATION | “The Texas Tribal Buffalo Project” | Stephanie Aranda, SA Professional Practice Leadership Program; Lucille Contreras, TTBP; Ethan Ryden, Tobin Smith Architect
CEO
Texas Tribal Buffalo Project
Lucille Contreras
Day 1 Lunch Presentation
The Texas Tribal Buffalo Project Aims to Support Reconciliation and Re-establishment. The TTBP is a non-profit committed to healing the
generational trauma of Lipan Apache descendants and other native nations bordering traditional Lipan Apache ranges. The presentation will cover the TTBP's journey from creation to current, plus show its future plans created in conjunction with the AIA San Antonio Professional Practice Leadership Program.
Learning Objectives:
(1) Describe the building systems required for the site's expansion including energy efficiency, heat recovery, and water re-use.
(2) Discuss the coordination efforts between the client and design team during the schematic design and design development phases of the project.
(3) Identify building design strategies used to facilitate the design of future structures while accommodating safety concerns.
(4) Illustrate an appropriate reuse of existing structures and use of recycled and repurposed materials.
Bio:
Lucille is the CEO and Founder of Texas Tribal Buffalo Project. This project is created to restore the traditional relationship between the Lipan Apache and our relatives the Bison. We would like to provide the indigenous communities of Texas a pathway to tribal and food sovereignty.
I obtained the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project Ranch by using the USDA Farm Service Agency, Beginning Farmer, and Rancher loan program. I am excited to now live once again in the Traditional homeland of the Lipan Apache and other native nations. Also, the traditional and home range of the Southern Plains Bison.
Architectural Designer Tobin Smith Architects
Ethan Ryden
Ethan is currently an architectural designer at Tobin Smith Architect. An alumni of the University of Texas at Austin, he worked across the Mountain US in Colorado, Montana and Oregon before returning to his hometown here in San Antonio. With a cumulative five years of experience, he is halfway along the
path to licensure, and excited to be involved in local architecture that studies texture and color, vernacular and unique, and old and new. After work hours you can find him and his wife, Sidney, working on their Wendell Berry inspired garden, or fixing up their 1920's bungalow style duplex. He loves engaging with this city, spending time reading, writing, and discussing the future of urbanism and its relationship to rural communities in central Texas.
Designer
Texas Tribal Buffalo Project
Stephanie Aranda
Stephanie Aranda is a San Antonio-based designer who was part of the AIA San Antonio leadership class, Professional Path to Leadership
Program (2PLP), that worked with the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project (TTBP) on creating a visual master plan for the organization's growing
needs and vision. The Texas Tribal Buffalo Project is a non-profit committed to healing the generational trauma of Lipan Apache
descendants and other native nations bordering traditional Lipan Apache ranges.
7 August, 2024 01:40 pm
Transition to Breakouts
7 August, 2024 02:00 pm
KEY TOPIC 2: INFRASTRUCTURE – BREAKOUT SESSIONS
7 August, 2024 02:00 pm
Sub 3: Utilities & Infrastructure
M.E.P. Systems Manager
Bartlett Cocke
Omar Land
Uniquely experienced in pre-construction, construction management, and operational diagnostics of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
systems for complex commercial construction facilities for 16 years, Omar’s skills span the full project lifecycle from conceptual estimating
to warranty issue resolution. Possessing a balanced combination of practical field experience and professional education Omar has been
successful in many roles over the course of his career including project manager, estimator, energy consultant, commissioning agent, and
business owner. His career has allowed him to be a key team member in the construction of some of the highest performing buildings in the
state of Texas. Omar earned a bachelor’s degree in construction science from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in engineering
management from The University of Texas.
Director of Sustainability
UT Austin
Jim Walker
"Translating LEED Success Into Campus Standards"
Join Matt Stevens and Jim Walker from UT Austin in the "Utilities and Infrastructure" session as they present an exciting overview of recent and current capital projects at UT, including LEED Platinum certifications. They will explore the evolution and integration of LEED and green building principles into campus sustainability standards for capital projects and major renovations, including utilities and infrastructure elements.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the latest advancements in sustainable campus projects at the UT System.
Learn about the process and benefits of achieving LEED Platinum certification.
Explore the integration of LEED and green building principles into capital projects and major renovations.
Gain insights into the development and implementation of the Sustainable Requirement Design Criteria at the University of Texas.
Don’t miss this insightful session at the 2024 Lone Star Sustainability Forum!
BIO:
Jim was appointed the Director of Sustainability for the University of Texas at Austin in 2009. He works closely with the President's Sustainability Steering Committee on the UT Austin Sustainability Master Plan and is one of the university’s primary liaisons related to LEED and SITES on new capital projects. He works directly with all academic units on curriculum development, facilities improvements and the pursuit of ‘living lab’ experiences for students.
Jim has a Masters in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Austin and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He formerly served on the state board of the Texas chapter of the USGBC.
Sustainability Advisor
UT Austin
Matt Stevens
"Translating LEED Success Into Campus Standards"
Join Matt Stevens and Jim Walker from UT Austin in the "Utilities and Infrastructure" session as they present an exciting overview of recent and current capital projects at UT, including LEED Platinum certifications. They will explore the evolution and integration of LEED and green building principles into campus sustainability standards for capital projects and major renovations, including utilities and infrastructure elements.
Bio:
Matt Stevens has dedicated 25 years to sustainability planning and consulting, beginning with energy and water-efficient strategies for residential homebuilders. His firm certified the most ENERGY STAR and green building program-rated homes in the Austin and San Antonio areas. Over the past 12 years, Matt has worked as a sustainability advisor at the University of Texas at Austin, focusing on energy and water use avoidance and capital infrastructure development. He spearheaded the university's Sustainable Requirement Design Criteria and holds credentials as a LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Energy Manager, and Project Management Professional.
National Director, Environmental Planning
Terracon
Jeremy Hanzlik
Jeremy serves Operational Development through Terracon's Environmental Service Line to promote growth, balance of services, technical excellence, and operational efficiency within our Environmental Planning Practice.
My experience includes preparation of watershed master plans, contributing zone plans, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents (i.e., CEs, EAs, and EISs), Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, environmental baseline studies, watershed and environmental modeling, environmental permitting, threatened and endangered species habitat assessments/consultations with USFWS, and geographic information system (GIS) analysis. I am experienced in the NEPA process (DOD, TxDOT/FHWA, and HUD projects) and in USACE permitting--including Section 10/404 nationwide and individual permit applications with mitigation and monitoring.
I also served on the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Bioenvironmental Sciences Professional Board, where I chaired the Financial Development, Outreach, & Marketing Committee. I previously served a two-year term on the TAMU Biological and Agricultural Engineering External Advisory Council. Additionally, I served two years as Chair and two years as Past Chair of the Alamo Chapter of Air and Waste Management Association.
Room Host
Engineered Products Manager
ADS
Dan Conaway
Room Host
Experienced environmental professional with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry. Skilled in ArcGIS, Analytical Skills, Coaching, Government, and Sales. Strong operations professional with a Bachelor of Science focused in Environmental Science from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
7 August, 2024 02:00 pm
Sub 4: Transportation
Executive Director
US Green Building Council
Jonathan Kraatz
Jonathan Kraatz is the first Executive Director for the U.S. Green Building Council Texas Chapter. In 2015, Kraatz was named Interim Executive Director over the formation of USGBC Texas, bringing together green building resources and knowledge from across the state. He facilitated the merger of the four Legacy U.S. Green Building Council Chapters in Texas, and accepted the permanent role in January 2016.
Previously he served as Executive Director for the USGBC North Texas Chapter since 2010, he was hired as the Chapter’s media and communications strategist and was quickly promoted to more responsible positions within the organization.
He earned a LEED Green Associate credential in 2010 and speaks regularly about the Chapter’s mission, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and building sustainability. He was also named part of Who’s Who in Energy by the Dallas Business Journal in 2012, 2013, and again in 2014. He was also elected to the Board of Directors for the Dallas Fort Worth Association Executives in 2013, 2015, 2017, and became President in 2019.
Kraatz was also part of the initial Dallas 2030 District Leadership Council and the Advisory Council for the City of Fort Worth Better Buildings Challenge - serving as its Co-Chair from 2017 to 2019 and the Steering Committee for the City of Dallas’ Comprehensive Climate Action Plan Working Group.
In 2015 he was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award, a premier volunteer awards program encouraging citizens to lead a life of service from the President of the United States, for his efforts with the USGBC Chapter Network Evolution Working Groups.
Jonatan holds a degree in Journalism from Texas A&M University and credits being challenged early in his career by great mentors for the flexibility and adaptability that has shaped him as a leader.
Program Manager, Sustainable Design
Austin Transit Partnership
Lisa Storer
"Austin Light Rail: People-Centered Design"
Bio:
Lisa Storer is a sustainability advocate working on large multi-disciplinary projects that have the ability to transform the public realm. She currently leads the Sustainable Design Program at Austin Transit Partnership, which will bring much-needed transit expansion and improvements, including light rail, to Austin. Previously, she was a Project Manager at the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department focused primarily on the Waterloo Greenway program, which aims to transform 35 acres of downtown Austin with new public parks, accessible trails, and a restored Waller Creek to connect people to nature in the center of the city.
Lisa enjoys working on collaborative projects with strong ecological and equity goals that bridge architecture and landscape architecture, and she has twenty years of experience working in the built environment. Lisa has worked at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center developing the SITES Rating System for sustainable land design and development, now administered internationally by GBCI. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Location, Transportation, and Planning Technical Advisory Group (LP TAG) for LEED, on the Board of Directors of AIA Austin and the US Green Building Council’s Texas Chapter, and as part of ULI Austin’s Local Climate Council.
Executive Director
ActivateSA
Joey Pawlik
"Activating a Connected, Equitable, Resilient, and Safe San Antonio For All Through Nonprofit Advocacy"
Bio: Joey Pawlik is a native San Antonian and bike commuter, transit user, and walker who is passionate about building a safer, more protected, equitable, connected, and comfortable active transportation and transit network across San Antonio for people of all ages and abilities. With a background in constituent advocacy, community engagement, policy, nonprofit development, and transportation planning, he most recently worked at the Alamo Area MPO and State Representative Barbara Gervin Hawkins. Joey has a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from UTSA and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, minor in Urban Planning from Texas A&M University. Joey is also a Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellow.
Project Director
HNTB
Mike Trimble
"Prioritizing Sustainability Outcomes in Transportation Infrastructure"
This presentation will provide an overview of the prioritization approach used for the City of Austin's Corridor Construction Program and how sustainability and other key community outcomes were integrated into the process.
Bio:
Mike Trimble is a Project Director with HNTB, where he is responsible for leading and managing on all aspects of large transportation infrastructure programs for state and local government. Prior to joining HNTB, Mike served over 15 years as an executive with the City of Austin where he brought transportation, facilities, and infrastructure programs to the local community in various leadership roles. His experience includes multi-modal transportation programs management, capital improvements long-range planning, bond programs development and implementation, local and regional transportation agency coordination, federal funding strategy development and executive leadership for local and regional mobility issues.
In addition to his experience in transportation and infrastructure programs, Mike has several years of experience working with state and local government agencies as a management consultant. His experience leading projects for strategic planning, organizational and management studies, communications and marketing strategies for the public sector provides unique perspective and expertise for state and local government clients. Mike is a graduate of Texas A&M and is certified in Project Portfolio Management by the Project Management Institute.
Room Host
Vice President Relationship Development
White Construction
David Carter
Room Host
David Carter has a long successful history in the construction and real estate development industry. Most recently, David led the business development efforts for one of the industry's most respected structural engineering companies.
As he builds relationships for WCC, paring new and existing clients' construction needs with WCC's elite construction team of problem solvers, his strong leadership, decades of experience, and passion for people will aid the firm's success.
As the Vice President of Relationship Development, David embodies White Construction Company's values to achieve its core purpose of "Building Success Together."
7 August, 2024 03:25 pm
PM BREAK - Transition to General Session
7 August, 2024 03:45 pm
KEY TOPIC 2: INFRASTRUCTURE - GENERAL SESSION
Watershed Program Manager
Tarrant County Regional Water District
Aaron Hoff
Leading Presentation: "A Proactive Approach to North Central Texas Growth and Development: Integration of Transportation and Stormwater Infrastructure (TSI)"
This initiative utilizes proactive planning to address increasingly flooded roadways, neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure in the rapidly-developing areas of North Central Texas contending with intense rainfall and escalating stormwater impacts. The study integrates stormwater, transportation, and environmental planning in a unique effort to reduce risk in a region growing by 150,000 people per year. Focusing on these ‘exurban’ areas, the study seeks to provide enhanced technical models and emergency management solutions to guide more informed development decisions. This will be accompanied by a planning menu for sustainable transportation design and stormwater detention that blend traditional stormwater features with nature-based solutions. Tools that quantify the financial benefits of adopting these higher building standards will also be integrated into the study. The multi-year study is funded with more than $10 million from state and federal agencies.
Learning Objectives:
1) Understand the relationship between stormwater runoff and impervious surfaces as areas develop, quantifying impacts using visual or modeled means.
2) Identify critical areas within your community that may benefit from proactive transportation planning using both technical analysis and stakeholder engagement.
3) Define nature-based solutions and recognize opportunities to integrate them along with traditional stormwater infrastructure to create viable stormwater management solutions that meet community goals.
4) Recognize the benefits (both tangible and intangible) of proactive integrated transportation and stormwater management for developing communities and be able to confer the benefits of these improved standards to decision-makers to inform functional solutions that communities are willing to adopt.
Aaron Hoff has spent 20 years working with water in the state of Texas, specializing in source water protection, watershed stewardship, and watershed education. Currently acting as the Watershed Program Manager for the Tarrant Regional Water District, he and his team work with landowners in the District’s watersheds to protect the water supply reservoirs providing much of the water that sustains residents of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
A native of north Texas, his childhood adventures fostered a healthy appreciation for the natural world. He has been involved with water and sediment quality studies throughout Texas and Louisiana. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M, where his studies focused on water quality and natural resource management, and he is currently seeking his PhD from UT– Arlington, researching microbial impacts in Texas streams.
7 August, 2024 05:00 pm
RECEPTION, BOOK SIGNING by David Marquis, UTSA STUDENT PROJECT DISPLAYS, NETWORKING WITH SPONSORS | Sponsored by Live music by (Austin Forest)
Advisor, City of Dallas Environmental Commission
Author, "The River Always Wins" and "The River of Goodness"
David Marquis
"The River Always Wins: The Green Path Forward"
David Marquis is currently an advisor to the City of Dallas Environmental Commission. He is a long-time activist and author, most recently of "The River Always Wins," as well as the newly released, "The River of Goodness," which is the second book in his "The River" trilogy.
Mr. Marquis is the founder of the 118-acre Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, which saved virgin urban forest from being bulldozed. The preserve became a national model for sustainability and affordability. It is thought to be the first use of a conservation easement in Dallas zoning history and provided 250 units of affordable senior housing, a new library built to Silver LEED standards, a new elementary school, and eight miles of hike and bike trails. He began chairing the Mayor’s Green Building Task Force in Dallas in 2006, which has rewritten the building and development codes of the city in order to create a more sustainable future. He participated in and led efforts to create the new City of Dallas Tree Ordinance and the new Park Land Dedication Ordinance. These efforts, along with influencing the passage of the Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance, led to the greenest month in Dallas history in June of 2018, with the passage of three major environmental ordinances with unanimous votes from the Dallas City Council on all three initiatives. In addition, he played an essential role in developing the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan, passed unanimously by the Dallas City Council in May of 2020. He is also considered to be the father of the Blue/Green/Grey holistic infrastructure movement.
8th August 2024
8 August, 2024 07:15 am
Check-In, Networking Breakfast + Sponsors Booths
8 August, 2024 08:00 am
Audience Welcome & Warm-up
Founder
Lead, Connect, Grow
Nguyen “Tom” Griggs
Dr. Nguyen “Tom” Griggs is a native Houstonian, a happy family man, a lifelong learner & a martial artist teacher with almost 30 years of experience. His doctorate studies focused on college choice and student success. Tom’s company Lead Connect Grow LLC focuses on helping organizations build cultures of curiosity and resiliency. His clients often leave his sessions feeling empowered, engaged, educated, and changed. In his spare time, Tom enjoys playing the guitar, grilling, studying AI and writing.
8 August, 2024 08:15 am
Welcome | Opening Remarks by Josh Gerken, UT San Antonio
Founder
Lead, Connect, Grow
Nguyen “Tom” Griggs
Dr. Nguyen “Tom” Griggs is a native Houstonian, a happy family man, a lifelong learner & a martial artist teacher with almost 30 years of experience. His doctorate studies focused on college choice and student success. Tom’s company Lead Connect Grow LLC focuses on helping organizations build cultures of curiosity and resiliency. His clients often leave his sessions feeling empowered, engaged, educated, and changed. In his spare time, Tom enjoys playing the guitar, grilling, studying AI and writing.
Associate V.P. of Asset Management
UT San Antonio
Josh Gerken
Josh Gerken is an Associate Vice President within UTSA’s Real Estate & Property Management division. He leads a team responsible for Asset Management, which includes overseeing the offices of Facilities Operation & Maintenance, Sustainability, Campus Standards & Planning, and Space Management. Throughout his career, Josh has held various roles, contributing to the successful delivery of $1 billion+ in design and construction projects. He earned his BS in Construction Science from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Before joining UTSA in 2016, Josh served as the Vice President of Operations for a local General Contracting firm, working extensively across the state of Texas with another national general contracting firm. Recently, Josh was named to the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 under 40, and he currently serves as an Honorary Commander for the Air Force’s Special Warfare Training Wing.
Founder & CVO/CEO
Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP)
Carol Warkoczewski
Carol Warkoczewski’s passion is leading people, projects, and organizations to excellence. As an architect with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Ethics (MSOLE) from St. Edwards University and 40+ years of professional experience, she is an industry leader.
Throughout her life and career, Carol has been a student of human growth and expansion, and she brings her skills and passion into leadership development and coaching as well as assisting teams to excel.
Carol’s resume includes working within private-practice architectural firms as well as at the University of Texas System-Facilities Planning and Construction, and at the City of San Antonio as City Architect, from which she is now retired. She is also the Principal of Synergy Builders Consulting, LLC, focused on building leaders, teams, projects and organizations that are based on mutual trust, shared values, and effective communication.
In 2010, to increase the reach of her people and values-centered focus, Carol founded the nonprofit, Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP). Led by Carol, I-LinCP organizes its annual “Invest in Women Forum,” focused on building personal skills and capacity for women and non-binary people in the design and construction industry.
Carol speaks nationally and internationally about the power of collaboration and values-based leadership, and has a special focus on women in the workplace.
In 2019, Carol was awarded the prestigious LUNA award by the Hispanic Regional Contractors Association for outstanding professional of the year in San Antonio. In March 2021, Carol was commissioned a “Yellow Rose of Texas” by the State of Texas for outstanding community leadership and volunteerism, and in August 2021 was awarded a San Antonio Business Journal Women’s Award.
8 August, 2024 08:30 am
Opening Keynote | Emily Hand, Verdical Group, “NetZero – Designing for Decarbonization”
Director & Chief of Staff |
Verdical Group
Emily Hand
"Net Zero Buildings - Designing for Decarbonization"
In her opening keynote for Day 2, Verdical Group's Director & Chief of Staff Emily Hand will share pathways to decarbonizing our built environment. She will discuss market trends in energy efficiency, exploring exciting new green building code requirements, innovative technologies that will help us get to zero, and best practices for sustainable building operations.
Emily will use real-world case studies to bring these principles to life, and will provide resources and tools to set building owners, operators, and end users up for success. Attendees will leave the keynote with tangible next steps for how we can all contribute toward building a decarbonized future.
BIO: Emily Hand is Director & Chief of Staff at Verdical Group, responsible for business development for green building and sustainability projects nationally. She leads the Client Solutions team focused on pursuits, proposals, and teaming opportunities. In her role as Chief of Staff, she serves as an air traffic controller for Verdical Group's CEO and senior team; an integrator connecting work streams; and problem solver providing advisory and oversight for the company. With 10 years in the industry, she has experience in project management and client relationship management working with a variety of clients and high-performance projects. Her work helps clients achieve their building certification and sustainability & wellness goals and supports the firm’s mission to inspire a net zero future in our built environment.
As Verdical Group's first intern & employee, she has worn nearly every hat within the company from marketing, operations, project management, business development, events, and people management. She was also previously a Senior in the Indirect Tax, Credits & Incentives and Climate Change & Sustainability Services department at Ernst & Young LLP (EY), where she consulted with Fortune 500 companies to integrate environmentally sustainable practices into their operations. Her work facilitating the green building certification process for over 100 million square feet of building space, resulted in over $50 million in tax incentives for clients.
Emily has worked with high profile clients including: MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts, Apple, Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, Seagate, Teknion, LACCD, UCLA, and Amgen. She holds LEED AP BD+C, Green Globes Professional (GGP), and Fitwel Ambassador credentials and is an active member of the USGBC-LA Chapter where she is a Women in Green Mentor and served on the Greenbuild 2016 Los Angeles Host Committee. Emily holds a B.S. in Natural Science and Environmental Studies from Loyola Marymount University (LMU).
8 August, 2024 09:15 am
AM BREAK - Meet the Speaker; Transition to Breakouts
8 August, 2024 09:35 am
KEY TOPIC 3: BUILDINGS – BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Associate Principal & Director of Design Performance
Overland Partners
John Byrd
"Texas Transformation: Architecture as a Catalyst for Change"
Overland is creating a transformational story in one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Acting as a creative change agent, Overland is helping to reshape Texas by promoting a future that stitches together communities, repairs urban fabric, revitalizes historic and downtown districts, brings about sustainable solutions, and lays the framework for life in Texas for generations to come. The design firm with offices in San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and beyond is extending their influence beyond architecture through creative leadership on significant projects across the state and is redefining the approach to many of the critical challenges facing our state (including repairing separated communities, improving opportunities for education, rapid growth and migration, transportation issues, water quality and stormwater management, climate resiliency, and the bi-national relationship with the US and Mexico).
BiO:
Rooted in a deep appreciation for the interplay between architecture and environment, John has built a distinguished career marked by award-winning projects that unite design excellence with sustainability.
John brings over two decades of experience crafting innovative and sustainable projects across diverse scales and locations. From luxury and ecological resorts in California and Mexico to high-end residential, hospitality, mixed-use, educational, and cultural projects throughout Texas, the Southwest, and the Gulf Coast, his work tells compelling stories though physical form. Passionate about sustainability, John integrates regenerative design principles into his projects as well, which have earned numerous AIA, ULI, & other design awards and sustainability accolades, such as COTE Top 10, LEED Certifications, WELL & Living Building Pursuits.
He believes the true poetry of design lies in the details… like the way materials come together or light falls into a space. His projects enhance the quality of life of their occupants by responding to daily and seasonal rhythms and foster deep connections to land, place, and culture. His collaborative approach with clients and creative professionals ensures each project reaches its fullest potential, delivering spaces that inspire, connect, and provide enduring value.
Director, Building Innovations
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Justin McCain
Justin McCain is the Director of Building Innovation with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). He is responsible for
educating the design-build community on concrete throughout Texas. McCain converts buildings that would have been built with other building materials to concrete through presenting first cost and life cycle operational costs to owners, developers, architects, engineers, and general contractors. He also positions concrete as the building material of choice by reviewing contract specifications and providing
expert consulting on reducing concrete’s carbon emissions through presenting cradle to gate analysis. McCain holds a bachelor’s degree in
Construction Management from Everglades University. Prior to joining the NRMCA, he spent 16 years in the heavy civil construction industry, primarily managing projects as a general contractor. The scope of his projects includes bridges, tunnels, underground utilities, and site developments. McCain is passionate about value engineering, alternative contract delivery and ways to collectively build better.
8 August, 2024 09:35 am
Sub 5: Design & Construction
Vice President
Bartlett Cocke
Angela Cotie
Angela Cotie serves as Vice President of Operations – East Texas. Angela is a talented and accomplished executive leader who brings well over 20 years of construction experience in project and program management, business development, operations and planning. She has a strong network of clients, partner architectural firms, subcontractors, and industry associations in a wide variety of markets. She is active in the ACE Mentor Program
Vice President
Kirksey Architecture
Darrell Whatley
Darrell Whatley, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, is a Vice President with Kirksey Architecture and serves as a project manager on the Collegiate team. He has 27 years of experience focusing on higher education buildings that have ranged from 1,000 bed student housing, dining halls, classroom buildings to workforce training facilities.
He recently has completed the design and construction of two mass timber collegiate projects. The first is the nation’s largest collegiate instructional building for San Jacinto Community College at 122,000 square feet. The second is a 5 story, 166 bed New Hanszen College for Rice University at 56,000 square feet. He has developed new detailed design approaches with the use of mass timber in these facilities with a thoughtful approach to sustainability.
Recently he has presented and actively promoted mass timber at the San Jacinto College’s Gulf Coast Mass Timber Conference, Woodworks Texas Wood Design Symposium, ULI Tulsa Conference, Gulf Coast Green Conference, TxA Conference, AIA Austin Design Excellence, CoreNet, Texas Energy Summit, Portland BEC, and A4LE Regional Conference.
Building Science Manager |
GAF Commercial Roofing
Melody Jackson
Melody Jackson is the GAF Building Science Manager for the Southwest U.S. Melody has 11 years of experience in the AEC industry and spent 7 years working in construction law. She has over five years of experience as an independent specifications writer. Melody has spent the last four years working in the commercial roofing industry.
She holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Houston.
Melody is actively involved in various professional organizations such as AIA, IIBEC, NWIR, and CSI. She has served on the CSI Houston Board of Directors for over six years, served two terms as Treasurer, and is currently President-Elect. She is a founding member of the National Women in Roofing Houston Chapter.
Room Host
Partner BRAYN Consulting
Geoff Garber
Geoff supports CPAs and their business clients in the areas of R&D tax credits, 45L energy-efficient homes credits, and other specialty tax opportunities. He serve clients in the manufacturing, architecture, engineering, construction, software, oil & gas, real estate, and single and multifamily builders/developers. In addition, he has successfully represented clients undergoing audits before the IRS and various state revenue departments.
Director, Building Innovations
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Justin McCain
Justin McCain is the Director of Building Innovation with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). He is responsible for
educating the design-build community on concrete throughout Texas. McCain converts buildings that would have been built with other building materials to concrete through presenting first cost and life cycle operational costs to owners, developers, architects, engineers, and general contractors. He also positions concrete as the building material of choice by reviewing contract specifications and providing
expert consulting on reducing concrete’s carbon emissions through presenting cradle to gate analysis. McCain holds a bachelor’s degree in
Construction Management from Everglades University. Prior to joining the NRMCA, he spent 16 years in the heavy civil construction industry, primarily managing projects as a general contractor. The scope of his projects includes bridges, tunnels, underground utilities, and site developments. McCain is passionate about value engineering, alternative contract delivery and ways to collectively build better.
Associate Principal & Director of Design Performance
Overland Partners
John Byrd
"Texas Transformation: Architecture as a Catalyst for Change"
Overland is creating a transformational story in one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Acting as a creative change agent, Overland is helping to reshape Texas by promoting a future that stitches together communities, repairs urban fabric, revitalizes historic and downtown districts, brings about sustainable solutions, and lays the framework for life in Texas for generations to come. The design firm with offices in San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and beyond is extending their influence beyond architecture through creative leadership on significant projects across the state and is redefining the approach to many of the critical challenges facing our state (including repairing separated communities, improving opportunities for education, rapid growth and migration, transportation issues, water quality and stormwater management, climate resiliency, and the bi-national relationship with the US and Mexico).
BiO:
Rooted in a deep appreciation for the interplay between architecture and environment, John has built a distinguished career marked by award-winning projects that unite design excellence with sustainability.
John brings over two decades of experience crafting innovative and sustainable projects across diverse scales and locations. From luxury and ecological resorts in California and Mexico to high-end residential, hospitality, mixed-use, educational, and cultural projects throughout Texas, the Southwest, and the Gulf Coast, his work tells compelling stories though physical form. Passionate about sustainability, John integrates regenerative design principles into his projects as well, which have earned numerous AIA, ULI, & other design awards and sustainability accolades, such as COTE Top 10, LEED Certifications, WELL & Living Building Pursuits.
He believes the true poetry of design lies in the details… like the way materials come together or light falls into a space. His projects enhance the quality of life of their occupants by responding to daily and seasonal rhythms and foster deep connections to land, place, and culture. His collaborative approach with clients and creative professionals ensures each project reaches its fullest potential, delivering spaces that inspire, connect, and provide enduring value.
8 August, 2024 09:35 am
Sub 6: Operations
Owner
LCCx
Mike Lackey
Mr. Lackey is the Owner of LCCx and is a mechanical engineer focused on enhanced building commissioning, with Building Design, Construction, and Project Delivery expertise. He has been in this industry for over 30 years and is an expert at new technology, codes, flexibility planning and design trends in the industry. As a Director at the SA River Authority, he has seen first hand the new development dynamics of the San Pedro Creek restoration through Urban San Antonio.
Mike is a founding National Board Member of the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) and has enthusiastically brought his expertise to many Forums.
Principal
EEA Consulting Engineers
Mark Mikulin
"New Mexico State University: An Energy Transition Master Plan Case Study"
New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a public land-grant institution with an enrollment of approximately 22,000 students. The campus operates distributed thermal and electrical utility systems and generates a portion of its own power with a natural gas turbine. In response to a state mandate and an internal goal of greenhouse gas emission reductions (45% by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, respectively), NMSU facilities leadership initiated the development of an energy master plan. This case study explores how the team incorporated academic and research staff as stakeholders, aligned the plan with the overall campus master plan, developed a phased approach to reduce utility system carbon usage, and examined alternative revenue streams to fund recommended initiatives.
ABOUT MARK:
Mark Mikulin has been employed at EEA Consulting Engineers since 2006 and is the firm’s Principal for State, Local, and Educational projects, with diverse facility types ranging from offices and classroom buildings, clean rooms and research laboratories, and central plants and distributed thermal energy systems. He also has extensive experience in commissioning and retro-commissioning of building systems, and in energy conservation analysis of institutional facilities. Mr. Mikulin has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University – College Station (2005), is a licensed professional engineer in the States of Texas and New Mexico.
Principal
SSR
Andre Lehr
"Commissioning High-Performance, Low-Carbon Buildings"
Buildings are more complex and less forgiving than ever before. Project challenges from adverse weather conditions during assembly to material substitutions, inexperienced trades with reduced quality control, and constrained timelines make construction a complex process. How can you verify that the finished structure and its systems meet project requirements?
Join commissioning (Cx) expert Ande Lehr from SSR's Houston office for an AIA-accredited presentation exploring whole building commissioning. Learn what design professionals, contractors, project managers, and facility managers should keep in mind as they plan, construct, and maintain high-performance structures.
ABOUT ANDRE:
Ande Lehr is a Principal at SSR, specializing in the whole building commissioning group. With over 28 years of experience as a senior project manager and consultant, Ande has provided professional services for large, complex projects involving the commissioning of MEP systems, building enclosures, as well as continuous commissioning and performance tracking for existing facilities. His extensive project experience spans industrial, healthcare, and educational facilities. Ande has been involved in all aspects of program and project management, ensuring high standards and efficient, low-carbon impact buildings.
Director, Sustainability and Energy Management
San Jacinto College
Rezaur Rahman
"Optimizing Building Performance: Insights from Retro-Commissioning"
This presentation by Rezaur Rahman and Chuck Smith with San Jacinto College outlines the Retro-Commissioning (RCx) efforts to improve energy performance and system efficiency across campus with a gross area of 3,101,869 square feet, of which 21% underwent RCx. Retro-commissioning is described by the DOE as commissioning a facility post-construction and by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as a process to enhance the function of building systems, addressing issues from design, construction, and operation.
The RCx process included setting campus goals, gathering feedback from energy data, BAS, and HVAC teams, selecting buildings, performing site walk-throughs, conducting BAS diagnostic monitoring, and creating an RCx items master list. The work was divided among in-house technicians and contractors, with 49% completed by an energy agent, 24% by a BAS contractor, and 27% by the college. This initiative resulted in additional savings of 237,799 kWh, 20,896 Therms, and $61,426 at both the central and north campuses.
The main objectives were to reduce energy consumption, minimize manual overrides, optimize system operations, reduce climate complaints, improve equipment performance, and enhance indoor air quality and occupant comfort. Challenges included inaccessible workspaces, scheduling conflicts, increased HVAC team workload, scope of work modifications, and material and programming constraints.
Key measures included reinstating the demand flow program, installing three new chillers, and locking out hot water pumps and central boilers, which contributed to energy savings. However, gas savings were overestimated after locking boilers at 75 degrees OAT, and there were missed opportunities in water leak repairs and equipment tune-ups.
This RCx effort highlights the importance of continuous evaluation and adjustment to maintain and improve building performance.
Bio: As the Director, Sustainability and Energy Management, Mr. Rahman brings his expertise as a certified energy manager and certified building commissioning professional, with a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Associate Vice Chancellor
San Jacinto College
Chuck Smith
As the Associate Vice Chancellor, Fiscal Initiatives at San Jacinto College, Mr. Smith has a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Public Speaking, Curriculum Development, Project Management, and Student Development. Strong operations professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) focused in Marketing and Finance from Syracuse University.
Room Host
Regional Manager
EMA Engineering & Consulting
Ford Cunningham
Regional Manager for EMA Engineering & Consulting with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Tyler. Former 4x Conference Champion for Men’s Tennis at The University of Texas at Tyler. Currently seeking network connections with architects and building owners to help promote building efficiency and building commissioning work.
8 August, 2024 11:00 am
Transition to General Session
8 August, 2024 11:15 am
KEY TOPIC 3: BUILDINGS – GENERAL SESSION
Sustainability Lead
Parkhill
Umesh Atre
Umesh Atre is a sustainability professional with 20 years of experience working in India, the United States, and Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Mumbai, India, and a Master of Science in Architecture (sustainability focus) from Texas A&M University, College Station. Umesh is a LEED AP, WELL AP, and a Fitwel Ambassador, has authored research papers, presented on topics related to sustainable design at local and national conferences, and served as a judge for the Austin Green Awards. He is active with the Austin AIA COTE (committee on the environment), has worked on over 100 green building certification projects, and his primary interests include building energy modeling, daylighting, net zero, passive solar, embodied carbon analysis, and energy codes. Prior to joining Parkhill, he held the position of Director of Sustainability at Studio8 Architects. He is based in Austin, TX.
Ryan Snow
8 August, 2024 12:30 pm
LUNCH + Presentation | Susan Alvarez + Panel
Director, Environment and Development
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Susan Alvarez
Texas leads the country in billion-dollar weather disasters, within the top 5 for each kind of weather disaster tallied by NOAA. This presentation is focused on how the different areas of the state are addressing environmental and infrastructure issues, opportunities and constraints around earth, air, fire and water. In addition to the varying levels and types of risks, how these local governments are effectively incorporating community needs and equity into their respective planning efforts will be discussed.
Ms. Alvarez is a seasoned environmental executive bringing broad practical experience in civil and environmental planning, engineering and management for municipal, state, tribal, and federal governments, including environmental site characterization and restoration, drainage and floodplain management,m air quality monitoring, facility planning, site-civil and regulatory compliance. She has considerable experience in multi-jurisdictional consensus building, capital planning, project finance, and, public involvement, outreach and engagement.
Senior Climate Program ManagerCity of El Paso
Fernando Liando
Fernando Liano is an engineer with 16 years of private and public sector experience. He currently serves as Senior Climate Program Manager for the City of El Paso, TX. He is currently in charge of the technical development of the first Climate Action Plan for the region of El Paso, focusing on GHG emissions reduction and adaptation measures. His first role with the City was as Sustainability Coordinator, leading energy management programs and sustainable projects for the City and community. Prior to joining the City, he worked as energy efficiency and climate change consultant for the private and public sectors in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe for more than 10 years. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) by the Association of Energy Engineers.
Regional Climate DirectorCity of Austin
Mali Calvo
Mali Calvo is a young Latina professional originally from Philadelphia, now based in Austin, Texas. With a background in farm management and climate-adaptive oyster farming, she brings a holistic and collaborative approach to sustainability. Mali currently works for the City of Austin's Office of Sustainability, where she coordinates regional climate planning efforts as part of the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program. She also facilitates a collaborative group pursuing sustainability grants, bridging community-based organizations
and city government.
8 August, 2024 01:40 pm
Transition to Breakouts
8 August, 2024 02:00 pm
KEY TOPIC 4: LEADERSHIP & ECONOMICS - BREAKOUT SESSIONS
8 August, 2024 02:00 pm
Sub 7: Leadership
Founder & CVO/CEO
Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP)
Carol Warkoczewski
Carol Warkoczewski’s passion is leading people, projects, and organizations to excellence. As an architect with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Ethics (MSOLE) from St. Edwards University and 40+ years of professional experience, she is an industry leader.
Throughout her life and career, Carol has been a student of human growth and expansion, and she brings her skills and passion into leadership development and coaching as well as assisting teams to excel.
Carol’s resume includes working within private-practice architectural firms as well as at the University of Texas System-Facilities Planning and Construction, and at the City of San Antonio as City Architect, from which she is now retired. She is also the Principal of Synergy Builders Consulting, LLC, focused on building leaders, teams, projects and organizations that are based on mutual trust, shared values, and effective communication.
In 2010, to increase the reach of her people and values-centered focus, Carol founded the nonprofit, Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP). Led by Carol, I-LinCP organizes its annual “Invest in Women Forum,” focused on building personal skills and capacity for women and non-binary people in the design and construction industry.
Carol speaks nationally and internationally about the power of collaboration and values-based leadership, and has a special focus on women in the workplace.
In 2019, Carol was awarded the prestigious LUNA award by the Hispanic Regional Contractors Association for outstanding professional of the year in San Antonio. In March 2021, Carol was commissioned a “Yellow Rose of Texas” by the State of Texas for outstanding community leadership and volunteerism, and in August 2021 was awarded a San Antonio Business Journal Women’s Award.
Capital and Bond Projects Sustainability Manager |
City of San Antonio
Jennifer DiCocco
Sustainability has been a career goal for Ms. DiCocco from the start. First as a consultant for the Department of Defense, she focused on reducing the use of hazardous materials and generation of hazardous waste at depots and shipyards. She also researched and tested alternate technologies to replace existing protocols. Then prior to joining the Office of Sustainability, she worked as an Environmental Project Manager in the City’s Public Works Department where she documented project compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and ordinances. Now she coordinates with City Departments to incorporate sustainable features, best practices, and innovations into bond and capital improvement projects. Ms. DiCocco recently completed the certification program for ENVISION Sustainability Professional. She also holds a master’s degree in marine biology from the University of Texas, Austin with a specialty in marine environmental toxicology and a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University.
Senior Planner |
Asakura Robinson
Jessica Young
"Champions of Change: Catalysts for Sustainable Action"
Despite the urgent need to take action in the face of the accelerating climate crisis, planners and other professionals whose work shapes the built environment are facing organizational, political, and social roadblocks that seem to bar us from making a real difference in this fight. It is crucial to have staff across departments and at all levels, including leadership, who can advance sustainability and resilience initiatives through removing critical barriers to taking action as a department or organization. By creating momentum around climate action, collaborating across departments, and building capacity withing the organization, sustainability champions can push for transformative action.
In this session speakers will engage in a dialogue about what it means to be a sustainability champion within your pocket of the world. They will present recent work collaborating with climate champions to push the needle on sustainability in natural resource management and developing sustainability plans.
They will also discuss the barriers champions face as they try to move the needle on sustainability work and the results of the APA’s Planner Perspectives on Climate survey.
Learning Objectives
During this session participants will:
1. Develop their understanding of the role of climate champions in fostering resilience.
2. Broaden their awareness of the barriers professionals face to taking climate action.
3. Gain insight into how sustainability is embedded across different planning projects in addition to
the development of sustainability plans.
BIO: Jessica Young (she/her) is a senior planner at Asakura Robinson and a passionate advocate for planning solutions that center communities disproportionately impacted by climate change and historic disinvestment. She strives to improve the lived experience of community members in the face of climate change by developing implementable strategies for adapting to climate change. She recently co-authored the American Planning Association’s Planner’s Perspectives on Climate report and survey and has published research on municipal barriers to climate action planning.
Kyle Anderson (he/him/they) is an associate planner at Asakura Robinson who is driven to explore the intersection of community capacity, ecological restoration, and green design to pursue more substantively sustainable modes of life. They are driven to better understand the relationship between communities and their environment, and to further equip cities and community organizations with the tools, strategies, and support necessary to foster resilient, adaptable communities capable of maintaining a high quality of life in the face of a rapidly changing climate. In project work they help bring technical expertise about sustainable building and design alongside a depth of experience working alongside community leaders to foster greater collective impact.
Urban Planner |
Asakura Robinson
Kyle Anderson
"Champions of Change: Catalysts for Sustainable Action"
Despite the urgent need to take action in the face of the accelerating climate crisis, planners and other professionals whose work shapes the built environment are facing organizational, political, and social roadblocks that seem to bar us from making a real difference in this fight. It is crucial to have staff across departments and at all levels, including leadership, who can advance sustainability and resilience initiatives through removing critical barriers to taking action as a department or organization. By creating momentum around climate action, collaborating across departments, and building capacity withing the organization, sustainability champions can push for transformative action.
In this session speakers will engage in a dialogue about what it means to be a sustainability champion within your pocket of the world. They will present recent work collaborating with climate champions to push the needle on sustainability in natural resource management and developing sustainability plans.
They will also discuss the barriers champions face as they try to move the needle on sustainability work and the results of the APA’s Planner Perspectives on Climate survey.
Learning Objectives
During this session participants will:
1. Develop their understanding of the role of climate champions in fostering resilience.
2. Broaden their awareness of the barriers professionals face to taking climate action.
3. Gain insight into how sustainability is embedded across different planning projects in addition to
the development of sustainability plans.
BIO: Jessica Young (she/her) is a senior planner at Asakura Robinson and a passionate advocate for planning solutions that center communities disproportionately impacted by climate change and historic disinvestment. She strives to improve the lived experience of community members in the face of climate change by developing implementable strategies for adapting to climate change. She recently co-authored the American Planning Association’s Planner’s Perspectives on Climate report and survey and has published research on municipal barriers to climate action planning.
Kyle Anderson (he/him/they) is an associate planner at Asakura Robinson who is driven to explore the intersection of community capacity, ecological restoration, and green design to pursue more substantively sustainable modes of life. They are driven to better understand the relationship between communities and their environment, and to further equip cities and community organizations with the tools, strategies, and support necessary to foster resilient, adaptable communities capable of maintaining a high quality of life in the face of a rapidly changing climate. In project work they help bring technical expertise about sustainable building and design alongside a depth of experience working alongside community leaders to foster greater collective impact.
Director of Sustainability
Austin ISD
Darien Clary
As Sustainability Director at Austin Independent School District, Darien Clary develops strategy, programs, and performance tracking in green building, water & energy conservation, recycling & composting, alternative transportation, nature access and infrastructure, and school engagement. Prior
to joining AISD, Darien advanced sustainability at Austin Community College and lead community-based
conservation and economic growth initiatives in the Dominican Republic for Columbia University’s Center for Environment, Economy, and Society. Darien holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from Southwestern University and a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Texas. She enjoys addressing sustainability to create positive change towards conservation, responsible practices, and youth engagement. In her spare time, Darien can be spotted jumping into Austin's swimming holes and exploring new places near and far with her husband and two adventurous dogs.
Room Host
Business Development
Performance Services
Rob Stelling
Room Host
Rob is the President of the Austin Chapter of the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP). He joined Performance Services in March 2023, and, prior to that, Rob spent five years with Climatec, where he served his final year as the Director of Sales & Business Development for Central & South Texas. In that role, Rob led two sales teams and was the architect of an owner-centric sales strategy for Building Automation that saw a ~30% increase in total sales from the prior year throughout his territory. Before joining Climatec, Rob served as enVerid Systems’ U.S. Director of Channel Marketing. He led the sales and marketing effort for enVerid’s revolutionary HVAC Load Reduction (HLR) technology Nationwide with their Strategic Partners. His experience at enVerid and his past role as the San Antonio Territory Manager for Advanced Filtration Systems gives Rob unique insight and expertise into Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)/Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). Rob’s first introduction to the Industry was as a Systems Sales Engineer with Johnson Controls, where he served the Austin, TX, Market for nearly six years. His experience at JCI provided a solid technical HVAC foundation, close ties to the local market, and the initial steps in his passionate pursuit of digital transformation in buildings. Rob will leverage PSI’s established skill and reputation as an elite Design-Build Performance Contractor.
8 August, 2024 02:00 pm
Sub 8: Economics
President and CEO
Credit Human
Steve Hennigan
Presentation Title:
The Case for Compounding Sustainable Investments
Presentation Abstract:
In 2015, Credit Human made a major commitment to sustainability by outfitting most of our San Antonio locations with
solar power. This was the first step in an ongoing environmental program that now includes our new headquarters in
San Antonio – a 200,000 square foot mid-rise building that is regarded by many as the “greenest” commercial building in
the United States. The performance and cost savings of these and other systems the credit union has implemented are
substantial. Credit Human is reinvesting 100% of those savings back into other environmental initiatives in the markets it
serves. We will share our approach for establishing a compounding cycle of reinvestment in sustainability programs, and
why it’s right for our bottom line and the communities we serve.
BIO:
Steve Hennigan is the President and CEO of Credit Human, a Federal Credit Union, where he is responsible for providing leadership and vision for a cooperatively-owned financial institution serving more than 200,000 households across the United States. In this role, Steve is focused on transforming the organization’s values to enable it to fulfill its mission of helping people create and maintain financial slack.
Mr. Hennigan joined Credit Human in September 1993 and since that time has served in a variety of roles across the organization. This included starting a new indirect lending division that built Credit Human into a national lender, as well as transforming Credit Human’s $2.0 billion, mature retail banking business in Texas. Steve served most recently as Chief Operating Officer before assuming his current role of President and CEO in 2012.
Mr. Hennigan is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and has a BBA in Finance and Accounting from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. He has served as a Board Trustee of CPS Energy and on the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council.
Steve is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He and his wife Tracy have two daughters, Megan and Callie.
Managing Partner
CM Consulting
Chris Carruth
Chris exemplifies the career path of a skilled leader who excels and integrates every aspect of the SMPS’s six domains of professional services practice. He started his career after graduating from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Construction Management. He started out as a carpenter for a construction company before moving on to operations. He finally landed in Strategic Planning realm, in which he has brought his expertise for the past 25 years. A few examples of Chris’s leadership for three construction companies in San Antonio have resulted in acquiring more than $2 billion in construction projects. These success stories include advancing the strategic planning, market repositioning, brand image, revenue, and geographic growth for many companies. No matter the size of the company, Chris has a proven track record of financial growth and success. Skanska, an international firm, is the largest of companies that Chris has worked for. In his time there, the company was awarded a $75 Million renovation for a healthcare expansion at Airforce Village One. He held the title of Vice President during his time there. After, Chris moved on to Joeris Construction, a medium size firm. Working with Joeris’s leadership team, Chris was instrumental in developing the plan to grow Joeris from a $ 150 million to over $ 500 million company. His primary focus while there, was K-12 education and Higher Education projects. Chris was also an instrumental factor in bringing the company more Private work. Most recently, Chris was the Strategic Development Officer at Metropolitan Contracting Company, a small construction company based in San Antonio, TX. However, after Chris implemented a rebranding campaign, it took the smaller tier firm to a mid-sized general contractor. Chris has also has his hand in the world of professional development. He has been part of multiple professional organizations, including Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Urban Land Institute (ULI), Real Estate Council of San Antonio (RECSA), and Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). With SMPS, Chris was honored with the opportunity to be a speaker at multiple professional developments for those in the industry. His presentation was entitled “Millions to Billions” in which he advised others on how their companies can significantly improve their wealth. Taking all of these experiences and the knowledge he has gained from them, Chris has opened his own firm, CM Consulting. His hope is to bring even more companies financial success through his strategic planning and business development skills.
Partner, ESG IMPACTS
Founder, McMac CX
David MacLean
Presentation Title: "Cooking the Books, Cooking the Planet"
Mature, readily available designs, technologies, and policies already exist that could solve all efficiency, health, safety, and equity, issues in our built environment ecosystem. Why then are they not being consistently deployed? The answer is simple. Money, or more precisely the way we account for value through our legacy lowest-first-cost minimum-code mentality. Our myopic focus on first-cost drives our highest expectation toward the lowest minimum requirement. Decision-makers are not held professionally, ethically, morally, or legally accountable for the burden created when higher standards of care solutions are not deployed. This legacy paradigm is rapidly shifting as access to capital, insurance, tenant businesses advantages more sustainable and resilient assets. We will examine the business case advantages that generationally responsible decisions create via tools that substantiate the full financial, human, and natural capital asset value improvement opportunities.
David MacLean BSEE, SASB-FSA, RESET AP, ASHRAE BCxP, LEED AP, WELL AP
McMac CX (www.McMacCX.com) - Founder / President. Leads McMac CX social enterprise initiatives facilitating accelerated adoption of proven sustainable best practice designs, technologies, and policies in the built environment ecosystem by making material the monetized benefit of creating safer, healthier, more efficient, and more prosperous places for everyone to live, learn, work, and play.
ESG IMPACTS (www.ESG-IMPACTS.com) – Managing Partner / Chief Impact Assurance Officer. ESG IMPACTS is a purpose-driven company providing certified ESG and Impact audits, analysis, and scoring of real estate for owners, investors, users, and lenders. ESG IMPACTS is the first to develop an AI-based, automated rating and reporting system that can be standardized for use in academia as well as the mortgage lending and securities industries.
Texas Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC TX) (www.USGBCTexas.org) - Founding Board Member. Current Chair of the USGBC Texas Best Practices Committee. Committed to improving lives by advocating locally and statewide for better building and community code adoption, business case substantiation, and performance outcome transparency.
McMac CX Planet People Profit Impact (P3I) Platform (https://www.mcmaccx.com/p3i-platform) – Creator. Platform allows Built Environmental Ecosystem stakeholders to understand the natural (Planet), human (People), and financial (Profit) asset capital creation possible through deployment of proven sustainable best practices.
Texas Sustainable Business Network (TXSBN) (www.TXSBNetwork.org) – Co-Founder. Bringing Texas businesses together to advance solutions that push back against the lowest-first-cost minimum-code mentality by creating substantiated business-case methodologies for consistently deploying proven sustainable best practices.
Air Champions Social Change Scientists (ACSCS) (https://www.mcmaccx.com/grassroots) - Founder. Launched on Earth Day 2020 to empower all Built Environment stakeholders through international collaborations and deployment of maturing technologies and policies to create transparent outdoor and indoor air quality awareness.
Room Host
Administrative Professional
Michael G. Imber
Kirby Braun
Kirby is a committed, proactive Professional with 22 years of experience in the design and construction industry. She has extensive experience managing top initiatives and projects; supporting sales, service, and business group operations. She is focused on collaborative and results-driven approaches. Kirby has demonstrated abilities in developing and maintaining constructive and cooperative working relationships with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
8 August, 2024 03:25 pm
PM BREAK - Transition to General Session
8 August, 2024 03:45 pm
KEY TOPIC 4: LEADERSHIP & ECONOMICS – GENERAL SESSION
President
Ardith Rademacher and Associates (ARA)
Ardith Rademacher
LEADING PRESENTATION, with Chris Carruth
Title: "It's Elemental! Sustainable Development and Retention Reimagined"
Description:
It has become increasingly obvious that engaged employees are needed to anchor sustainable management in organizations. In this joint presentation, we will discuss developing a sustainable organization by incorporating the key elements for leadership growth and targeted hiring and retention.
Ardith is the President of ARA, Inc., founded in 2002 to serve AEC industry clients nationwide with their strategic team building needs. Prior to starting ARA, Inc., Ardith worked for national construction, engineering and architectural firms as an HR Professional, Trainer and Recruiter. Ardith works with AEC professionals, organizations, and industry associations locally and nationwide on workforce development, recruiting and retention. She has been a part of I-LinCP since its earliest days and currently serves as the National Board Chair. Ardith lives in San Antonio with her husband and dog. It is not uncommon to literally “run” into her on San Antonio’s Greenway Trails or in the newest coffee shop.
Managing Partner
CM Consulting
Chris Carruth
Chris exemplifies the career path of a skilled leader who excels and integrates every aspect of the SMPS’s six domains of professional services practice. He started his career after graduating from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Construction Management. He started out as a carpenter for a construction company before moving on to operations. He finally landed in Strategic Planning realm, in which he has brought his expertise for the past 25 years. A few examples of Chris’s leadership for three construction companies in San Antonio have resulted in acquiring more than $2 billion in construction projects. These success stories include advancing the strategic planning, market repositioning, brand image, revenue, and geographic growth for many companies. No matter the size of the company, Chris has a proven track record of financial growth and success. Skanska, an international firm, is the largest of companies that Chris has worked for. In his time there, the company was awarded a $75 Million renovation for a healthcare expansion at Airforce Village One. He held the title of Vice President during his time there. After, Chris moved on to Joeris Construction, a medium size firm. Working with Joeris’s leadership team, Chris was instrumental in developing the plan to grow Joeris from a $ 150 million to over $ 500 million company. His primary focus while there, was K-12 education and Higher Education projects. Chris was also an instrumental factor in bringing the company more Private work. Most recently, Chris was the Strategic Development Officer at Metropolitan Contracting Company, a small construction company based in San Antonio, TX. However, after Chris implemented a rebranding campaign, it took the smaller tier firm to a mid-sized general contractor. Chris has also has his hand in the world of professional development. He has been part of multiple professional organizations, including Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Urban Land Institute (ULI), Real Estate Council of San Antonio (RECSA), and Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). With SMPS, Chris was honored with the opportunity to be a speaker at multiple professional developments for those in the industry. His presentation was entitled “Millions to Billions” in which he advised others on how their companies can significantly improve their wealth. Taking all of these experiences and the knowledge he has gained from them, Chris has opened his own firm, CM Consulting. His hope is to bring even more companies financial success through his strategic planning and business development skills.
8 August, 2024 05:00 pm
Closing Comments and Post-Forum Social (hotel lounge area)
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nullapariatur.Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nullapariatur.Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit.
One of the most exciting aspects of this Forum is the bringing together of multiple organizations including project Owners, for-profits and nonprofits, K-12’s and higher education, cities and counties and other governmental agencies, as well as architects, engineers, solution providers/vendors, and contractors to collaboratively present and discuss issues and ideas related to sustainability and resiliency, with a Texas focus.
This event is a catalyst for public and private project Owners and stakeholders to holistically gather information and momentum as we bring the resources and vision needed to achieve the goal of zero carbon emissions from the built environment, and address site planning, water, green space and the natural environment, transportation, infrastructure, leadership, economics, equity, among other topics that come naturally out of conversation and discussion.
Contact: Carla Bingaman, carla.Bingaman@I-LinCP.org | O: 512-263-5521
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Sit aenean at mauris ut vel. Vel quam et faucibus dui ornare urna cras ultrices. Pellentesque.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Eius totam quis doloribus tempore incidunt! Architecto tempora dolorum ut nostrum expedita! Dolorum exercitationem aperiam expedita delectus nostrum necessitatibus facere quaerat non.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Eius totam quis doloribus tempore incidunt! Architecto tempora dolorum ut nostrum expedita! Dolorum exercitationem aperiam expedita delectus nostrum necessitatibus facere quaerat non.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Eius totam quis doloribus tempore incidunt! Architecto tempora dolorum ut nostrum expedita! Dolorum exercitationem aperiam expedita delectus nostrum necessitatibus facere quaerat non.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Eius totam quis doloribus tempore incidunt! Architecto tempora dolorum ut nostrum expedita! Dolorum exercitationem aperiam expedita delectus nostrum necessitatibus facere quaerat non.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Eius totam quis doloribus tempore incidunt! Architecto tempora dolorum ut nostrum expedita! Dolorum exercitationem aperiam expedita delectus nostrum necessitatibus facere quaerat non.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Eius totam quis doloribus tempore incidunt! Architecto tempora dolorum ut nostrum expedita! Dolorum exercitationem aperiam expedita delectus nostrum necessitatibus facere quaerat non.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Eius totam quis doloribus tempore incidunt! Architecto tempora dolorum ut nostrum expedita! Dolorum exercitationem aperiam expedita delectus nostrum necessitatibus facere quaerat non.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Eius totam quis doloribus tempore incidunt! Architecto tempora dolorum ut nostrum expedita! Dolorum exercitationem aperiam expedita delectus nostrum necessitatibus facere quaerat non.
6 August, 2024 03:00 pm
6 August, 2024 05:00 pm
Join us in the bar area of Embassy Suites for a casual get-together. Meet up with your panel, get to know the presenters, visit with sponsors, and network with other attendees! | Sponsored by PAGE/
7 August, 2024 07:15 am
7 August, 2024 08:00 am
Nguyen “Tom” Griggs
Founder
Lead, Connect, Grow
7 August, 2024 08:15 am
Nguyen “Tom” Griggs
Founder
Lead, Connect, Grow
Peter Sakai
Judge
Bexar County
Carol Warkoczewski
Founder & CVO/CEO
Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP)
7 August, 2024 08:30 am
David Marquis, author of The River Always Wins and The River of Goodness, provides the Day 1 morning keynote, "The Green Path Forward." Every day, posits Marquis, every single human has to make a choice: accept the world the way it is or work to make it better. Each of us can pursue the work of goodness in many ways. The River of Goodness, the second volume in Marquis’s River Trilogy, provides real-world examples of people who have taken on the work of goodness, whether through thankless tasks or in dangerous and challenging circumstances. Marquis uses the river as a symbol of natural persistence and resilience, illustrating how these qualities can guide urban sustainability efforts. He'll discuss strategic, community-driven approaches to environmental challenges, highlighting the importance of aligning urban development with nature's inherent systems of renewal and recovery. Marquis' insights will inspire attendees to embrace a green path forward, leveraging the lessons of nature to foster sustainable, resilient urban environments across Texas and beyond.
David Marquis
Advisor, City of Dallas Environmental Commission
Author, "The River Always Wins" and "The River of Goodness"
7 August, 2024 09:15 am
Sponsored by:
7 August, 2024 09:35 am
7 August, 2024 09:35 am
Room Host: Will Carroll, Satterfield & Pontikes
Moderator: Suzanne Williams, Texas Water Company
Presenters/Panel:
This panel will explore innovative approaches to creating sustainable urban and regional natural environments. The discussion will focus on how strategic development of connected green spaces can not only conserve natural habitats but also enhance community connectivity and accessibility. Speakers will share insights on incorporating equity and accessibility into trail development, showcasing projects like the Columbia Tap Trail as exemplars of integrating community needs with environmental sustainability. Additionally, the conversation will cover practical strategies for boosting biodiversity in urban settings, highlighting how ecological resiliency can be achieved through thoughtful urban design and planning that interweaves natural elements seamlessly with built environments. This session promises to provide a broad perspective on optimizing land use to foster environmental integrity and livability in community projects and policies.
Suzanne Williams
Water Conservation Supervisor
Texas Water Company
Garry Merritt
CEO
Great Springs Project
Kimberly Phipps-Nichol
Founder
Blue Water Studio
Lee Marlowe
Sustainable Landscape Ecologist
San Antonio River Authority
Will Carroll
Room Host
Business Development Manager
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction
7 August, 2024 09:35 am
Room Host: Andy Albin, HKS
Moderator: Leslie Antunez, City of San Antonio
Presenters/Panel:
This panel will focus on the transformative effects of innovative planning processes and technologies on urban development, addressing challenges such as climate resilience and urban heat islands. Discussions will explore the role of nature-based solutions in enhancing ecological and societal resilience, emphasizing green infrastructure's contribution to sustainable urban environments. Additionally, the use of AI, algorithms, and geospatial analysis in urban planning will be discussed, highlighting their effectiveness in fostering equity and inclusivity, particularly for disadvantaged populations. This session will provide valuable insights into utilizing advanced tools to shape sustainable and equitable urban futures.
Leslie Antunez
Sr. Municipal Sustainability Manager
City of San Antonio
Julio Carrillo
Senior Planner + Urban Design Manager
Parkhill
Michelle Garza
Planning Specialist
San Antonio River Authority
Mikel Wilkins
Senior Engineer
San Antonio River Authority
Dan Boice
Founder & Principal Astronomer
Scientific Studies & Consulting
Andy Albin
Room Host |
Principal, Senior Vice President
HKS
7 August, 2024 11:00 am
7 August, 2024 11:15 am
Extreme heat is an increasingly important factor impacting the success of cities, campuses, and institutions. With climate change, we can expect to see more heatwaves and elevated temperatures in the future. We can expect a more intense and longer summer; experts predict that the number of 95+ degree days will increase dramatically. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US, and the number of deaths from heat are grossly underestimated. Heat can also contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory illness, and impact individuals’ physical activity levels and well-being. Public owners can respond to this trend by incorporating heat mitigation strategies into plans and projects, not only to address climate change, but also to address the health and safety of citizens, students, and personnel.
Wendy Heger
Principal
Page/
Kevin Lanza
Assistant Professor
UT Health
Angela Cotie
Vice President
Bartlett Cocke
7 August, 2024 12:30 pm
The TTBP is a non-profit committed to healing the generational trauma of Lipan Apache descendants and other native nations bordering traditional Lipan Apache ranges. The presentation will cover the TTBP's journey from creation to current, plus show its future plans created in conjunction with the AIA San Antonio Professional Practice Leadership Program.
Lucille Contreras
CEO
Texas Tribal Buffalo Project
Ethan Ryden
Architectural Designer Tobin Smith Architects
Stephanie Aranda
Designer
Texas Tribal Buffalo Project
7 August, 2024 01:40 pm
7 August, 2024 02:00 pm
7 August, 2024 02:00 pm
Room Host: Dan Conaway, ADS
Moderator: Omar David Land, Bartlett Cocke
Presenters/Panel:
This topic will take a deeper dive into the issues of resiliency as it relates to utilities and certain infrastructures. Each panelist will bring their unique and different perspective on how their organizations deal with infrastructure during times of stress to the systems. These stresses can come from areas outside their organizations as well as inside them. As communities grow with expanding populations, associated infrastructure systems must find new ways to serve them. Funding, design, and construction are all affected. Couple this with the need for a more sustainable approach, and the challenge is great. Hear how some of our finest cities and organizations are dealing with these issues in a more sustainable and efficient manner. Come join us and bring your experiences to discuss.
Omar Land
M.E.P. Systems Manager
Bartlett Cocke
Jim Walker
Director of Sustainability
UT Austin
Matt Stevens
Sustainability Advisor
UT Austin
Jeremy Hanzlik
National Director, Environmental Planning
Terracon
Dan Conaway
Room Host
Engineered Products Manager
ADS
7 August, 2024 02:00 pm
Room Host: David Carter
Moderator: Jonathan Kraatz, USGBC
Presenters/Panel:
Reducing the environmental impact of transportation is a key strategy for a resilient future. Transportation contributes to harmful emissions, noise, climate change, and equity disparity. The concept of sustainable transportation and enhanced mobility are inextricably linked with the development of transport modes, infrastructures, and operations. Looking beyond current practices, this panel will explore these key factors through the lens of policy, changing customer habits, and innovation. The panelist will discuss how the experiences learned from progressive, rapidly growing cities can be applied to reshape mobility throughout the United States.
Jonathan Kraatz
Executive Director
US Green Building Council
Lisa Storer
Program Manager, Sustainable Design
Austin Transit Partnership
Joey Pawlik
Executive Director
ActivateSA
Mike Trimble
Project Director
HNTB
David Carter
Room Host
Vice President Relationship Development
White Construction
7 August, 2024 03:25 pm
Sponsored by:
7 August, 2024 03:45 pm
In response to the challenges posed by intense rainfall and escalating stormwater impacts in NC-TX, Aaron’s presentation will cover a multi-year initiative designed to address flooded roadways, neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure in rapidly developing areas. The study is funded with over $10 million from state and federal agencies and aims to integrate stormwater, transportation, and environmental planning.
Aaron Hoff
Watershed Program Manager
Tarrant County Regional Water District
7 August, 2024 05:00 pm
Sponsored by:
David Marquis
Advisor, City of Dallas Environmental Commission
Author, "The River Always Wins" and "The River of Goodness"
8 August, 2024 07:15 am
Sponsored by:
8 August, 2024 08:00 am
Nguyen “Tom” Griggs
Founder
Lead, Connect, Grow
8 August, 2024 08:15 am
Nguyen “Tom” Griggs
Founder
Lead, Connect, Grow
Josh Gerken
Associate V.P. of Asset Management
UT San Antonio
Carol Warkoczewski
Founder & CVO/CEO
Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP)
8 August, 2024 08:30 am
Join Emily Hand from Verdical Group as she presents an enlightening session on "Designing for Decarbonization." With extensive experience in sustainable design and construction, Emily will guide us through the definitions and significance of decarbonization, Zero Net Energy (ZNE), and Zero Net Carbon (ZNC) buildings.
Emily will share valuable insights from real-world case studies, detailing the design and construction processes essential for achieving high-performance buildings. She will also delve into key market trends in energy efficiency, green building code requirements, and both proven and emerging technologies. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of operational best practices and access to a wealth of resources and tools designed to aid building owners, operators, and end users in transitioning towards a decarbonized future. Emily’s presentation will equip you with practical next steps and actionable insights to contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon built environment.
Emily Hand
Director & Chief of Staff |
Verdical Group
8 August, 2024 09:15 am
Sponsored by:
8 August, 2024 09:35 am
John Byrd
Associate Principal & Director of Design Performance
Overland Partners
Justin McCain
Director, Building Innovations
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
8 August, 2024 09:35 am
Room Host: Geoff Garber, Brayn
Moderator: Angela Cotie, Bartlett Cocke
Presenters/Panel:
This panel will focus on innovative design and construction practices that promote sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint within the built environment. Discussions will explore the use of mass timber and advanced commercial roofing to enhance structural efficiency and energy performance. It will also highlight the role of architecture in driving environmental change in Texas, showcasing how strategic design can catalyze sustainability. Additionally, innovative methods for decarbonizing construction materials like concrete will be examined, emphasizing new strategies for reducing environmental impact. Attendees will gain insights into how sustainable building practices can lead to more resilient and eco-friendly developments.
Angela Cotie
Vice President
Bartlett Cocke
Darrell Whatley
Vice President
Kirksey Architecture
Melody Jackson
Building Science Manager |
GAF Commercial Roofing
Geoff Garber
Room Host
Partner BRAYN Consulting
Justin McCain
Director, Building Innovations
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
John Byrd
Associate Principal & Director of Design Performance
Overland Partners
8 August, 2024 09:35 am
Room Host: Ford Cunningham
Moderator: Mike Lackey, LCCx
Presenters/Panel:
This panel presentation and discussion will explore how planning processes and technologies impact the way we shape our cities for the future and how we respond to growing challenges of climate and equity and improving climatic resiliency. Experts will share experiences in the development of standards, code review, comprehensive planning, and implementing goals across multiple scales of development. The discussion will examine the implications that macro-scale planning decisions can have on individual projects and how they can enable small-scale innovations to have an out-sized impact.
Mike Lackey
Owner
LCCx
Mark Mikulin
Principal
EEA Consulting Engineers
Andre Lehr
Principal
SSR
Rezaur Rahman
Director, Sustainability and Energy Management
San Jacinto College
Chuck Smith
Associate Vice Chancellor
San Jacinto College
Ford Cunningham
Room Host
Regional Manager
EMA Engineering & Consulting
8 August, 2024 11:00 am
8 August, 2024 11:15 am
Join an intimate panel discussion featuring local practitioners and USGBC staff, focusing on the upcoming LEED v5 green building certification system. This new iteration is designed to steer the built environment toward a sustainable future characterized by low carbon emissions, resilience, and equitable resource use. The session will delve into how LEED v5 and related tools are set to enhance decarbonization, improve quality of life, and aid in the conservation and restoration of ecological assets. Through a dialogue-based format, participants will gain valuable insights into USGBC's comprehensive approach to fostering a complete ecosystem for green building.
Umesh Atre
Sustainability Lead
Parkhill
Ryan Snow
8 August, 2024 12:30 pm
Texas leads the country in billion-dollar weather disasters, within the top 5 for each kind of weather disaster tallied by NOAA. This presentation is focused on how the different areas of the state are addressing environmental and infrastructure issues, opportunities and constraints around earth, air, fire and water.
Susan Alvarez
Director, Environment and Development
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Fernando Liando
Senior Climate Program ManagerCity of El Paso
Mali Calvo
Regional Climate DirectorCity of Austin
8 August, 2024 01:40 pm
8 August, 2024 02:00 pm
8 August, 2024 02:00 pm
Room Host: Rob Stelling
Moderator: Carol Warkoczewski, I-LinCP
Presenters/Panel:
What does “leadership” mean in terms of sustainability efforts in our industry? What’s holding us back? Where do we go from here? This topic's presentations and the subsequent lively discussion will focus on the importance of leadership in producing climate-sensitive design and how public-facing projects and Owners’ organizations are implementing innovative solutions and best-practices to achieve better outcomes.
Carol Warkoczewski
Founder & CVO/CEO
Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP)
Jennifer DiCocco
Capital and Bond Projects Sustainability Manager |
City of San Antonio
Jessica Young
Senior Planner |
Asakura Robinson
Kyle Anderson
Urban Planner |
Asakura Robinson
Darien Clary
Director of Sustainability
Austin ISD
Rob Stelling
Room Host
Business Development
Performance Services
8 August, 2024 02:00 pm
Room Host: Kirby Braun
Moderator: Chris Carruth, CM Consulting
Presenters/Panel:
This session explores the relationship between economic frameworks and sustainable practices, highlighting how values-based strategies can drive financial success and environmental stewardship. Presentations will cover the financial implications of unsustainable practices, the hidden costs in conventional accounting, innovative approaches for incorporating ecological considerations into financial reporting, and the benefits of sustainable investments with compounding returns. Join us for insights on aligning business strategies with environmental values to achieve a prosperous and sustainable future.
Steve Hennigan
President and CEO
Credit Human
Chris Carruth
Managing Partner
CM Consulting
David MacLean
Partner, ESG IMPACTS
Founder, McMac CX
Kirby Braun
Room Host
Administrative Professional
Michael G. Imber
8 August, 2024 03:25 pm
8 August, 2024 03:45 pm
This presentation explores the pivotal role of leadership in embedding sustainable practices within organizations. Join us as we examine how leaders can effectively engage employees and integrate environmental, social, & governance (ESG) criteria into the core operations to foster a sustainable organizational culture. We will discuss strategies for enhancing employee commitment with targeted hiring, effective retention, & leadership development focused on sustainability. Attendees will gain insights into creating a resilient workforce aligned with long-term sustainability goals and learn actionable strategies for building an organization that prioritizes impactful, sustainable outcomes.
Ardith Rademacher
President
Ardith Rademacher and Associates (ARA)
Chris Carruth
Managing Partner
CM Consulting
8 August, 2024 05:00 pm
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Sit aenean at mauris ut vel. Vel quam et faucibus dui ornare urna cras ultrices. Pellentesque.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Sit aenean at mauris ut vel. Vel quam et faucibus dui ornare urna cras ultrices. Pellentesque.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Sit aenean at mauris ut vel. Vel quam et faucibus dui ornare urna cras ultrices. Pellentesque.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Sit aenean at mauris ut vel. Vel quam et faucibus dui ornare urna cras ultrices. Pellentesque.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Sit aenean at mauris ut vel. Vel quam et faucibus dui ornare urna cras ultrices. Pellentesque.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Sit aenean at mauris ut vel. Vel quam et faucibus dui ornare urna cras ultrices. Pellentesque.
Get The Letter
Pretium vulputate sapien nec sagittis. Accumsan tortor posuere ac ut. Pellentesque adipiscing commodo elit at imperdiet dui. Lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Pellentesque elit ullamcorper dignissim cras.
Pretium vulputate sapien nec sagittis. Accumsan tortor posuere ac ut. Pellentesque adipiscing commodo elit at imperdiet dui. Lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Pellentesque elit ullamcorper dignissim cras.
Pretium vulputate sapien nec sagittis. Accumsan tortor posuere ac ut. Pellentesque adipiscing commodo elit at imperdiet dui. Lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Pellentesque elit ullamcorper dignissim cras.
Pretium vulputate sapien nec sagittis. Accumsan tortor posuere ac ut. Pellentesque adipiscing commodo elit at imperdiet dui. Lacus laoreet non curabitur gravida. Faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Pellentesque elit ullamcorper dignissim cras.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Sit aenean at mauris ut vel. Vel quam et faucibus dui ornare urna cras ultrices. Pellentesque.
