Roland Ruiz serves as General Manager of the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), a special purpose regional groundwater agency that is responsible for the management of one of the world’s most prolific artesian aquifers. In his role as chief executive, Roland reports to a 17-member board of directors that oversees the EAA mission to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer system across eight counties in South Central Texas.
Since assuming the General Manager position in 2012, Roland has focused his leadership on creating “shared value” around the effective management of the Edwards Aquifer in the face of environmental, economic and regulatory demands that are often exacerbated by drought, population growth, and competing interests around these issues. He has undertaken an effort to transform the EAA culture into a dynamic, service-minded operation that fosters greater collaboration, transparency, and responsiveness through values-centered critical thinking and stakeholder engagement.
Roland has a broad and varied background in public affairs and community service in both the private and public sectors, including 21 years as an elected official serving on the board of trustees of a local school district
Brock Curry joined the Edwards Aquifer Authority in October 1996, and was promoted to Deputy General Manager in 2012. Working closely with the General Manager, Brock oversees all aspects of EAA operations. Brock also serves as a liaison to the EAA Board of Directors to ensure staff is appropriately implementing the organization’s policies.
Prior to joining the EAA, Brock was the General Fund Budget Manager for the City of Austin, Texas for over five years. Brock holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwestern University and a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Texas-LBJ School of Public Affairs.
Michael “Mike” De La Garza is the Senior Director of Communications and Development. In this role, Mike is responsible for communicating and promoting the mission of the EAA, as well as managing the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy.
Prior to joining the EAA, Mike was President and Owner of MDLG & Associates where he provided businesses with strategic plans in marketing, public relations, public policy and professional fund development. Prior to creating his business he worked for CPS Energy as a Manager of Local Government Relations where he directed a corporate citizenship program to maximize the impact of CPS Energy’s contributions to the community. Before his tenure at CPS Energy, Mike worked for Toyota Motor Manufacturing as Manager of External Relations & Corporate Services where he oversaw and managed their media and public affairs. He also worked for HEB as a Vice President of Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. Mike received his Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard University and his Master of Arts in Urban Studies from Trinity University.
Marc Friberg is the Executive Director of External & Regulatory Affairs for the Edwards Aquifer Authority, where he manages the EAA’s permitting, conservation, regulatory, and legislative programs while providing support to the EAA in activities related to its federally approved Habitat Conservation Plan. While at the EAA, Marc has also been responsible for the Authority’s external relations through management of the Outreach and Education department.
Prior to joining the Authority in 2008, Marc worked for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in the Office of Legal Services. Marc is a graduate of Baylor University and the Baylor University School of Law.
Mark Hamilton is the Executive Director of Aquifer Management Services for the Edwards Aquifer Authority. Mark is responsible for management of the EAA’s research, data collection, modeling, aquifer science and aquifer protection programs. Mark joined the EAA in 2002, and during his tenure his duties have ranged from testifying before the Edwards Aquifer Legislative Oversight Committee, to managing the EAA’s water quality and water level data collection efforts. Mark also managed the data collection and reporting efforts conducted under the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan’s expanded water quality monitoring program.
Prior to joining the EAA, Mark worked at Earth Tech Inc., as a project manager, focusing on remedial investigation and feasibility studies at various sites in California, Colorado, and Texas. Mark is a graduate of the University of Texas San Antonio and is a registered Professional Geoscientist.
Felix Marquez is the Executive Director of Administration and Financial Services. In this role, he directs the operations of the finance, human resources, IT and facilities departments. Felix joined the EAA in 2006 as the Human Resources Officer and then became the Administration Officer.
Prior to the EAA, he worked for Angelo State University and the City of Plano. Felix holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from St. Mary’s University.
Scott Storment is the Senior Director of Threatened and Endangered Species. In this role, Storment serves as the Program Manager for the federally approved Habitat Conservation Plan.
Prior to joining the EAA, Scott worked at AMERESCO as a Senior Account Executive where he executed energy, water, and solar projects covering the municipal and education markets in Texas and New Mexico, educated public sector clients on energy performance contracting, and led a multi-faceted team in aspects of client engagement and project management. Prior to AMERESCO, Scott worked at the Alamo Area of Council of Governments as Natural Resources Director where he managed a team of experts conducting air quality modeling and monitoring covering the San Antonio region. Additionally, Scott served as a key spokesperson with local elected officials, TCEQ, EPA, and media on air quality issues. Prior to the Alamo Area of Council of Governments, Scott served as Principal/Owner at Green Hub Advisors, LLC, where he managed business development efforts to provide energy, solar, and water/wastewater utility opportunities to clients. While with Green Hub Advisors, LLC, Scott was appointed by then EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy, to a three-year term on the Good Neighbor Environmental Board. Scott received his Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University College Station and his Masters in Community & Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico.