REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED. WALK INS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON AVAILABILITY OF SPACE AND CANNOT BE GUARANTEED AS WE ARE ALMOST AT CAPACITY.

Join us for an evening of networking and conversation with some of Greater Houston Area's public infrastructure experts about city planning, transportation, and flood mitigation as they share information about new projects on the horizon and the future of our growing city. Enjoy drinks and appetizers at Bosscat Kitchen & Libations with our panelists; and after check out the Whiskey Room or stay for dinner. Come for the conversation, stay for the whiskey! 

Additional panelists to be announced soon!

CONFIRMED PANELISTS:

Michael Y Ereti serves as the Director of Capital Projects within Houston Public Works.  Capital Projects service-line is responsible for Capital Improvement Program (CIP) by managing and delivering large-scale design and construction projects of Houston Public Works which include roadway, drainage, water, and wastewater facilities.  Capital Projects also is responsible in managing all public right-of-way real estate and procurement of professional services and construction bids for Houston Public Works.  Michael is very passionate serving on research panels and committees on various transportation research projects with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) of the Transportation Research Board.

Dr. Reynaldo Guerra is the current Chief of Infrastructure, Engineering, and Planning Officer for Harris County Precinct 4 and previously served as Deputy Director of Operations & Facility Infrastructure for the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) and prior to that as Planning and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Division Manager for Harris County Precinct 2. Guerra’s led the rehabilitation of the Washburn Tunnel and Lynchburg Ferry Systems, spearheaded the development of HCTRA’s first system-wide asset management system, has led various transportation and urban community plans across Precinct 2, and led the design and construction of James Driver Park, a regional all-inclusive park for children and adults of all ages and abilities.

Ross M. Talbot is the Construction Projects Delivery Manager for Port Houston. He joined Port Houston in March 2018 after spending the majority of his career at The Dow Chemical Company.

Ross graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science and earned his Masters of Construction Science and Management from Clemson University.  He also holds a MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. He has worked on both the contractor’s side and owner’s side in the heavy civil and industrial construction sectors.

Ross sits on the board of advisors for the American Institute of Constructors and is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.

James W. Koch, PE graduated from the University of Texas in 1982 with a bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and obtained his professional Engineering license in 1990. In 1987, James began his career with the Department of Transportation in the Brownwood District, and in 1992 he transferred to the Houston District’s Plan Review Section. 

In 1998, James was promoted to the Director of Design. In 2010, he was promoted to the position of Director of Transportation Planning and Development. James has effectively excelled in all his assignments, in 2013 James was awarded the Gibb Gilchrist Award for his continuous service to the State of Texas. In 2014, James assumed the role of Director of Transportation Planning and Programming Division in Austin. From there, James worked closely with Administration as the Portfolio and Project Manager for several high-profile projects. 

In August of 2016, James made the decision to retire from the TxDOT, to return to his family roots in the Greater Houston Area, in which he began serving as the Director of Transportation for Gunda Corporation in the private sector; where he garnered meaningful experience as a consultant to TxDOT on various projects around the State.  

In August 2019, James returned to TxDOT as the Houston District Director of Transportation Planning and Development. In his current role, James is responsible for planning and developing projects throughout the Houston District and the Houston Galveston Area Council region.

There will be specialty sponsorships available for this event! Please reach out to Amanda at [email protected] for more information!

Please RSVP by May 5th! No fault cancellation 48 hours in advance via email to [email protected]. Walk-ins will be accepted if space is available for a $10 upcharge.