TAGD Officers

President – Amber Blount, Sandy Land Underground Water Conservation District

Amber began her work with Sandy Land Underground Water Conservation District (SLUWCD) in 2007 as the office secretary. She quickly advanced to oversee well permitting and water quality services for the District. While continuing to act in that capacity, she served as Education & Outreach Coordinator for the multi-groundwater district education cooperative before being named SLUWCD District Manager in 2015. Amber serves as the District’s representative to several affiliations which include, Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, Groundwater Management Area 2, and Texas Water Conservation Association. Amber grew up south of Dallas, obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, but now calls West Texas home. Amber is married to Tanner and the mother to three boys – Helee, Cross & Krew. Her family resides in Yoakum County, where they own and operate their family business, raising show pigs and cattle on their property west of Plains.

Vice President – Doug Shaw, Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District

Doug began his current position as the General Manager for the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, which encompasses the four counties immediately west of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex (Hood, Montague, Parker and Wise Counties), in 2015. Doug serves as the District Representative for GMA 6 and GMA 8 as well as serving as a voting member on Region C and an alternate member on Regions B and G. Prior to taking on his current role with the UTGCD, Doug spent nine years working for the Texas Water Development Board. At the TWDB, Doug began as a staff economist and was an author on several socioeconomic impact studies; additionally he was responsible for helping create 3 separate State Water Plans.  He also served as the first Ombudsman for the Agency, a position that provided him with the opportunity to work with people in all aspects of the water industry across the entire state. Doug has a B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture Economics from Tarleton State University where he has since been recognized as a Distinguished Alumni.

Treasurer – David Bailey, Mid-East Texas Groundwater Conservation District

David Bailey currently serves as the General Manager for the Mid-East Texas Groundwater Conservation District serving Madison, Leon and Freestone counties and has held that position since 2010. Mr. Bailey is a lifelong resident of Madison County and graduated from Madisonville High School in 1978. After receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Sam Houston State University in 1982, he began working in various positions with the Madison County Appraisal District until 1998. He then worked for 11 years at the Walker County Appraisal District until accepting employment with Mid-East Texas GCD in 2009. As part of his duties as General Manager, Mr. Bailey serves the District as the voting member for Groundwater Management Area 12 and as the GMA 12 representative on both the Region C and Region H Water Planning Groups. He has also served on the Budget and Finance Committee for TAGD.

Secretary – Stephanie Keith, Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District

Stephanie Keith came on board with Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District as the first Education and Public Relations Coordinator in 2017.  Since her start, she has provided groundwater education programs to public and private schools throughout the district, professional development for fellow educators, and various adult programs such as realtor workshops.  Stephanie currently serves on Texas 4-H Water Ambassador Advisory Committee and has served on the TAGD Education and Information Committee the past few years. Keith’s newest endeavor with the district is the construction of The Ditch Water Discovery Center.  The center will be a hub for groundwater education.  In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys volunteering for the local Master Naturalist chapter as the Volunteer Service Coordinator and thrift store shopping.  Most of all, she enjoys riding horses and mules with her two daughters, Tilly and Pacey, and husband, Brian.  Stephanie is a graduate of Tarleton State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management, and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Parliamentarian – Andy Garza, Kenedy County Groundwater Conservation District

Andy Garza has been the General Manager of Kenedy County Groundwater Conservation District since May of 2011, after retiring from the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board. He holds BS and MS degrees from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX. Andy has been married for 41 years and has two daughters and three grandchildren.

Past President – Zach Holland, Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District

Zach Holland is the General Manager for the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District, serving Austin, Grimes, Walker, & Waller Counties. Zach is originally from Mertzon, Texas and grew up with firsthand knowledge of groundwater management from his Dad, Scott, who serves Irion County Water Conservation District and Sterling County Underground Water Conservation District. Zach’s love of groundwater led him to Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science (2008) and then a Masters of Water Management & Hydrological Sciences (2010). His graduate research focused on a Carrizo-Wilcox Study ordered by Senator Ogden and highlighted the benefits and good works of groundwater conservation districts. Through that project, Zach was able to reach out to many districts and gain a greater understanding of groundwater management of a completely different aquifer and area of the state than his upbringing. Zach has served the Bluebonnet GCD in varying capacities since October 2009.

Click here to read our newsletter feature article with more details on our Executive Committee!