A letter from the Chairman
Across our great state, Texans have experienced the impacts caused by either too much water or persistent drought. We tend to talk about these impacts in the moment. Irrespective of weather extremes, water – our most precious resource, requires that we value, better manage and conserve it each and every day. Texas is better served when our sources of water are well known, discussed and understood. We at the Texas Water Foundation invite you to share your thoughts on these critical issues so that together we can increase the awareness and understanding of water’s value to all of us as we advocate for its conservation, protect and better management for generations to come.
- Carlos Rubinstein,
Chairman, Texas Water Foundation
Carlos Rubinstein
Chairman
+ Biography
Rubinstein is the Principal member of RSAH2O, LLC – an environmental consulting firm with strong emphasis on water issues.
Rubinstein served as chairman of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) from 2013-2015. He also served as the Texas representative to the Western States Water Council, and the Border Governors' Conference Sustainable Development worktable.
Rubinstein served as a commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) from 2009–2013.
Rubinstein is a former member of the Texas Environmental Flows Advisory Group, the Governmental Advisory Committee, which advises the EPA Administrator on environmental concerns regarding NAFTA, the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation; and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation and of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, an independent federal advisory committee that assists the president and Congress on environmental infrastructure needs along the U.S. border with Mexico. He has also served as deputy executive director of TCEQ and as Rio Grande Watermaster. He is a former city manager for the City of Brownsville. Rubinstein received a bachelor's degree in biology from Pan American University
Contact information
RSAH2O, LLC Austin, TX 78717 carlos@rsah2o.com 512-797-0292
Robert Puente
Vice Chairman
+ Biography
President/Chief Executive Officer San Antonio Water System
Robert R. Puente, San Antonio Water System's President and CEO since May 2008, leads one of the nation's largest utilities delivering water and wastewater services to over 1.6 million consumers.
Since taking the helm at SAWS Puente has led the entity through many historic financial and operational successes and is often called on to share these successes throughout the United States and abroad. Puente has also led the entity to achieve the highest bond rating in its history.
Additionally, the utility has earned several state and national recognitions and awards, including: the National Association of Clean Water Agencies' 2016 Public Information and Education Agency Achievement Award - Educational Program; the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's 2016 Texas Environmental Excellence Award – Education; Water Environment Federation's 2015 Public Education Award; Top Workplace Award three years in a row as well as several other operational awards and recognitions.
Prior to SAWS, Puente served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1991-2008 and was Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. In the Legislature, Puente authored and led the charge in passing several historic bills related to water which continue to serve as model legislation throughout the U.S.
Robert is married to Carmen Muñiz Puente and they have three children.
Gregory M. Ellis
Secretary
+ Biography
Gregory M. Ellis has been practicing water law and been involved in water issues for over three decades. In the mid-eighties as a law student, Ellis helped clerk the House Natural Resources Committee working on a variety of water legislation. After graduating from the University of Texas School of Law in 1988 and admission to the Bar in 1989, Ellis worked as legislative liaison for the Texas Water Commission. In 1992 Ellis moved to Houston to serve as General Counsel to the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District (now the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District). The Edwards Aquifer Authority, hired Ellis as their first General Manager in 1997, a position he held until October 2004 when he left to start his solo law practice.
In addition to representing subsidence districts and groundwater conservation districts across the State, Ellis serves as Board Secretary of the Texas Water Foundation, a non- profit corporation that provides water conservation education throughout the State. Ellis is well versed in groundwater law, groundwater conservation districts, the Open Meetings Act, the Public Information Act, the Public Funds Investment Act, the Public Funds Collateral Act, local government law, and administrative law and procedures.
Contact information:
Gregory M. Ellis Attorney at Law 2104 Midway Court League City, TX 77573 Phone: (713) 705-4861 Fax: (512) 236-5265 Greg@GMEllis.law
Kip Averitt
Treasurer
+ Biography
Senator Kip Averitt proudly served over 17 years in the Texas Legislature and three sessions as the Chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee. After retiring from the legislature in 2010, he opened Averitt & Associates, Inc. In 2012, Kip founded the Goldwater Project with the objective of accomplishing the water conservation goals that are set out in the State Water Plan. He is recognized for his expertise and leadership on water policy and water conservation.