Executive Committee: In Focus
We thought it would be fun to shine a spotlight on TAGD’s Executive Committee this month, so we asked each member a few questions to get to know them beyond their titles. From groundwater priorities to favorite pastimes, read on to learn more about each one from the other side of the desk.
About the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee brings together TAGD's elected officers, our immediate past President, and representatives from TAGD areas that don't already have an officer at the table. This team helps steward TAGD on behalf of the membership by filling officer vacancies, representing TAGD during the legislative session, guiding key financial decisions, and stepping in wherever needed to support our shared work.
Meet the Officers
President Doug Shaw
General Manager, Upper Trinity GCD
TAGD Area Representative, North Texas
What's a hobby or hidden talent most people don't know about?
I am a certified yoga teacher, and I used to teach in Austin and San Marcos when I was younger.
Favorite Texas road-trip destination?
Lost Maples.
Sweet or Unsweet Tea?
Unsweet.
Beans or no beans?
Beans.
What do you think TAGD does best?
Being a unified voice for groundwater districts.
What's something unique about your district or local area?
More domestic water wells drilled than anywhere in the state.
What's one misconception about Texas groundwater you wish you could fix?
The ideas that it is an endless supply.
What's one priority or focus area you're excited to help advance this term?
Too many to list.
What advice would you give someone new to TAGD?
Participate.
Vice President Britney Britten
General Manager, Panhandle GCD
TAGD Area Representative, Ogallala
What advice would you give someone new to TAGD?
I would say to get involved and participate in the committees. It’s a great way to meet people from around the state.
What's a hobby or hidden talent most people don't know about?
I have two young kids, so I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies. But most of the time, if I’m not at work, you can find me with my family. Recently, we’ve taken up bowling. I wouldn’t say it’s a talent yet, but we are working on it.
Favorite Texas road-trip destination?
I do love visiting San Antonio, because I have family there. I haven’t made a stop in Fredericksburg yet, but it’s on my bucket list.
Sweet or Unsweet Tea?
Unsweet.
Beans or no beans?
Like in chili? Definitely, team beans.
What do you think TAGD does best?
TAGD is great at serving as a resource for all thing related to Texas Groundwater — whether that’s educating its members on new issues or helping us keep up to date with Chapter 36 requirements. They also put on some of the best and most informative meetings.
What's something unique about your district or local area?
I think the people of our district make it unique. I love working with our district’s constituents because even when we don’t see eye-to-eye, we can always have respectful conversations. Working with and educating the water-users in our district has always been one of my favorite parts of my job.
What's one misconception about Texas groundwater you wish you could fix?
Texas groundwater is not one-size fits all. What works, as far as management, in the Ogallala will likely not work for the Carrizo-Wilcox. Sometimes even within a same region, the properties of an aquifer can differ so drastically it can make it difficult to manage.
What's one priority or focus area you're excited to help advance this term?
I believe educating our legislators is going to be huge in the next interim ahead of the 90th Session. I also look forward to working with the Legislative Committee and hearing from TAGD’s members about what they’re facing in their regions.
Secretary Whitney Wiebe
General Manager, Mesquite GCD
What's a hobby or hidden talent most people don't know about?
I enjoy canning produce from my garden.
Favorite Texas road-trip destination?
San Antonio with my boys to the State Basketball Tournament.
Sweet or Unsweet Tea?
Unsweet.
Beans or no beans?
Beans.
What do you think TAGD does best?
Good at getting good speakers into talk about issues in the field.
What's something unique about your district or local area?
Our area is known for Bonnie and Clyde’s dive off the river bridge.
What's one misconception about Texas groundwater you wish you could fix?
That the Blaine aquifer is a vast ocean of untapped brackish water supply.
What's one priority or focus area you're excited to help advance this term?
I am excited to expand educational resources for members to use for not only the public, but legislature too.
What advice would you give someone new to TAGD?
Network and take advantage of as many TAGD activities as possible.
Parliamentarian Kelley Cochran
General Manager, Guadalupe Co. GCD
TAGD Area Representative, Edwards Carrizo
What's a hobby or hidden talent most people don't know about?
I love to go fishing.
Favorite Texas road-trip destination?
South Padre Island.
Sweet or Unsweet Tea?
Unsweet.
Beans or no beans?
Beans.
What do you think TAGD does best?
Fabulous resource – dissemination of current, relevant information, topics of concern, new legislation/responsibilities for GCDs, and the network of contacts is unvaluable! TAGD provides a safe space for exchanging ideas and learning from other’s wins and how to avoid potential mishaps.
What advice would you give someone new to TAGD?
Attend every meeting and event. Engage and get to know us – we’re friendly and here to help!
What's something unique about your district or local area?
GCGCD has a saturated thickness model allocation for water rights for the Carrizo aquifer. But maybe they know that now that Dr. Mace turned me into an action figure!
What's one misconception about Texas groundwater you wish you could fix?
Clarification of Exempt Use Wells definition in Ch. 36 – some folks misunderstand that ‘incapable of producing more than 25,000 gallons a day’ somehow means that an exempt use well produces/owns water rights equivalent to 25,000 gallons of water/day (28 AF/YR), which of course is incorrent and absurd.
What's one priority or focus area you're excited to help advance this term?
Updating our Bylaws.
Treasurer Michael Redman
Assistant General Manager, Post Oak Savannah GCD
TAGD
Michael has served as one of our go-to AV and technology gurus. Whether running sound or ensuring that every presentation is loaded and ready, he and Zach Holland help keep our programs running smoothly for speakers and attendees alike. This year, Michael will have the opportunity to take on an even larger role in service to TAGD as Treasurer on the Executive Committee.
Education
Schreiner University
Bachelor’s of Science in Biology: Environmental Studies (2013)
Master’s in Business Administration (2018)
Current
Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District
Assistant Manager
Past Experience
Bandera Co. River Authority & Groundwater District
- Groundwater District Operations Manager
- Representative for GMA 9
- Designated Representative for Region J
Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
- Regulatory Compliance Team Lead
- GMA 10 Chairman
- Region K Representative for GMA 10
Past President David Bailey
General Manager, Mid-East Texas GCD
What's a hobby or hidden talent most people don't know about?
Golf, but not very good at it!
Favorite Texas road-trip destination?
Fredericksburg.
Sweet or Unsweet Tea?
Sweet.
Beans or no beans?
No Beans.
What do you think TAGD does best?
We have great staff, ready to assist members when needed.
What's something unique about your district or local area?
Peach, deer, and mushroom capital of Texas.
What's one misconception about Texas groundwater you wish you could fix?
That it will always be here, conservation is greatly needed.
What's one priority or focus area you're excited to help advance this term?
Continue to make TAGD strong financially and legislatively.
What advice would you give someone new to TAGD?
Get involved. This is a great group of people.
TAGD Area Representatives
TAGD utilizes nine geographic "TAGD Areas" to help ensure strong representation on the Executive Committee and clear communication among District Members. Each TAGD Area has one designated representative on the committee, either through an elected officer residing within the area or a member elected by district members.
Dave Mauk - Lower Edwards Trinity
General Manager, Bandera Co. River Authority & Groundwater District
What's a hobby or hidden talent most people don't know about?
I enjoy daily training in boxing and muay thai.
Favorite Texas road-trip destination?
The Hill Country.
Sweet or Unsweet Tea?
Unsweet.
Beans or no beans?
None. I only eat meat.
What do you think TAGD does best?
They keep membership informed of emerging groundwater issues.
What's something unique about your district or local area?
We are the self-proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the World.
What's one misconception about Texas groundwater you wish you could fix?
That people believe the aquifers behave uniformly.
What's one priority or focus area you're excited to help advance this term?
Flood protection and drought awareness. Especially in the Hill Country.
What advice would you give someone new to TAGD?
Learn.
Andy Garza - Lower Gulf Coast Area
General Manager, Kenedy Co. GCD
What's a hobby or hidden talent most people don't know about?
At age 75, still try to visit a fitness center 3 times a week.
Favorite Texas road-trip destination?
San Antonio, TX.
Sweet or Unsweet Tea?
Unsweet.
Beans or no beans?
I am an American of Mexican descent, of course beans.
What do you think TAGD does best?
TAGD is running on all cylinders in my opinion.
What's something unique about your district or local area?
A few large ranches comprise the whole district.
What's one misconception about Texas groundwater you wish you could fix?
The amount of variability within an aquifer.
What's one priority or focus area you're excited to help advance this term?
Mapping a minor aquifer within our district. That could save landowners big expenses.
What advice would you give someone new to TAGD?
Get to know the members on a personal basis.
Diana Thomas - Upper Edwards Trinity
General Manager, Sterling Co. UWCD & Irion Co. WCD
What's a hobby or hidden talent most people don't know about?
I had a very rocky start to sourdough baking with a lot of neglected and starved starters, but I think I’ve finally gotten the hang of it.
Favorite Texas road-trip destination?
There’s no place like home!
Sweet or Unsweet Tea?
Unsweet.
Beans or no beans?
Ha! I never knew this was even a debate until I attended Snook’s Chilifest in college with my now husband. Neither one of my parents are southern, so I grew up eating all sorts of things called “chili” that a true Texan would scoff at! So, I am team beans!
What do you think TAGD does best?
Connect those with needs to those who can fill those needs across geography, industry, and experience.
What's something unique about your district or local area?
Our region collaborates more and better than any other region of the state. It is so awesome to work with others who want to see you succeed as much as themselves.
What's one misconception about Texas groundwater you wish you could fix?
That taking water from one region and moving it to another is beneficial just because the receiving region has more votes.
What's one priority or focus area you're excited to help advance this term?
Just trying my best to represent the Upper Edwards Trinity Area!
What advice would you give someone new to TAGD?
Speak up, ask questions, talk to people — someone else is experiencing or has experienced the same things you are, and would love to help.
Haley Davis - Far West Texas
General Manager, Culberson Co. GCD
Super Woman
While everyone was tending to groundwater business, Mrs. Davis was busy welcoming her sweet baby boy, Lucky Nash Davis, into the world. Haley is the general manager of Culberson Co. GCD and the TAGD Area Representative for Far West Texas.
Zach Holland - Upper Gulf Coast
General Manager, Bluebonnet GCD
What's a hobby or hidden talent most people don't know about?
Hobbyless and no talent to speak of while chasing and trying to keep up with the boy. Play on a city league softball team, who has won season, tourney, or both every season for the past decade.
Favorite Texas road-trip destination?
Wherever the road takes me, enjoy the drive and driving anywhere.
Sweet or Unsweet Tea?
Sweet, unsweet, hot, and cold.
Beans or no beans?
Dealer’s choice, clearly haven’t met a meal I turned away.
What do you think TAGD does best?
TAGD offers a space to listen and speak openly about the challenges and successes experienced by our district or area. TAGD provides an open forum to local, regional, and statewide perspectives to share information and garner specialized expertise to guide next steps and advancement.
What advice would you give someone new to TAGD?
Don’t be shy, jump in. We’ve all been there and eager to lend a hand where we can.
What's something unique about your district or local area?
For the first seven years, our district was not contiguous, not connected, until Waller County annexed in.
What's one misconception about Texas groundwater you wish you could fix?
Though there is plenty of “mysterious and occult” related to groundwater, there has been a tremendous amount of data and scientific advancement since SB1, and the expansion of GCD creation. GCDs are responsible for congregating and coordinating the ever-changing landscape to balance planning, management, and policy. With support of science and data initiatives, GCDs are where the rubber meets the road to demystify and intelligibly define groundwater as supplies and demands evolve.
What's one priority or focus area you're excited to help advance this term?
Emphaszing the uniformity and continuity between GCDs, regions, aquifers, approaches that exist, and our efforts to pull in the same direction.