ACEA Symposium 2026 Schedule
ACEA SYMPOSIUM 2026 SCHEDULE
Friday, May 1st 2026
7:00 AM – 5:15 PM
AT&T Conference Center & Rowling Hall
On-Demand sessions available May 26th
*Breakout sessions may be subject to change*
| 7:00AM - 9:00AM | Registration & Breakfast Check in at Registration in the Zlotnik Foyer. Pick up your badge, swag bag, notebook, and grab breakfast. |
| 7:30AM - 8:00AM | Meet & Greet Connect and network with new attendees in Zlotnik Ballroom. Play Bingo and take a quick tour of the venue. |
| 8:00AM - 9:00AM | Opening Session Enjoy breakfast in the Zlotnik Ballroom. Thomas Hunter - Liberty Hill City Manager, will speak on Developing a Succession of Leadership. |
| 9:00AM - 10:00AM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS |
How MUDs Benefit Cities
ROOM: Salon 1
DESCRIPTION: MUDs finance and deliver water, wastewater, drainage, and roads to reduce city budgets, accelerate development timelines, and support housing affordability. This panel will discuss MUD infrastructure funding and affordability, growth management, and how to provide responsive solutions during rapid development.
SPEAKERS:
- Ken Heroy - Jones-Heroy & Associates
- John Bartram - Armbrust & Brown, PLLC
- John Barganski- Masterson Advisors LLC
- Amy Lynn Payne - Blake Magee Company
- Nick Woolery - City of Georgetown
Longhorn Dam Multimodal Improvement Project
ROOM: Salon 2
DESCRIPTION: Austin is transforming a critical trail crossing with the new Wishbone Bridge—an ADA‑accessible, three‑leg structure that improves safety, connectivity, and user experience along the Ann and Roy Butler Trail. Learn how the project team evaluated alternatives, integrated community input, and addressed complex construction and phasing constraints.
SPEAKER: Lee Frieberg - HDR Engineering Inc.
Comprehensive Water Management Solutions*
ROOM: Ballroom
DESCRIPTION: Learn how the MUD in Katy, Texas implemented a multifaceted approach to address water scarcity and sustainability through innovative water management solutions.
SPEAKER: Larry Mueller - Principal at BGE
Journey With AUS: The Future of Austin’s Airport
ROOM: Salon 5
DESCRIPTION: Learn about the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) expansion program — a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar investment transforming the airport to meet Central Texas’ rapid growth. Airport leadership will share the latest on active construction, upcoming procurement opportunities, project phasing, and anticipated timelines.
SPEAKER: Lyn Estabrook - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) Update*
ROOM: Salon 6
DESCRIPTION: Phase 2 of the BCRUA Raw Water Intake project incorporates two lake taps with intake screens, a transport tunnel, and a new Pump Station with a daily capacity of 145-Million Gallons (MGD). The pipeline will transport water to existing Cedar Park, Leander, and BCRUA water treatment plants. Receive progress updates and discover the complexities, design, and coordination necessary to make this project a success.
SPEAKERS:
- Aaron Archer, PE - Walker Partners
- Sam Roberts, PE - BCRUA
*Available On-Demand on May 26th*
| 10:00AM - 10:30AM | Networking Break Take a break in Zlotnik Foyer. Visit exhibitors, grab a snack, or get your headshot taken upstairs. |
| 10:30AM - 11:30AM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS |
Groundwater Best Management Practices
ROOM: Salon 1
DESCRIPTION: Panelists will discuss how to manage groundwater that is discovered before and during infrastructure construction. Explore multiple case studies with a focus on pre-design decisions, infrastructure construction and performance issues, and mitigation design strategies.
SPEAKERS:
- Mike Fisher PE - Pape-Dawson
- Matty Weston - MLA Geotechnical
- Kyle Stobaugh - DNT Construction
- Frank Del Castillio - Ashton Woods
We Need Water: Central Texas Water Planning and CCN Solutions
ROOM: Salon 2
DESCRIPTION: Learn how regional planning efforts intersect with regulatory tools like Certificates of Convenience and Necessity to shape water service delivery.
SPEAKER: Caroline Stewart - City of Georgetown
Ethics Jeopardy - Morning*
ROOM: Ballroom
DESCRIPTION: Earn 1 ethics credit at the least boring Engineering Ethics hour of your life! Andrew Hunt’s new Jeopardy game will include lively and entertaining group discussions, plus new questions and really bad Dad Jokes!
SPEAKER: Andrew Hunt - Project Control of Texas
City Updates: Bastrop & Dripping Springs
ROOM: Salon 5
DESCRIPTION: Receive exciting news and updates on projects within and surrounding Bastrop & Dripping Springs.
SPEAKERS:
- Sylvia Carrillo - City of Bastrop
- Tory Carpenter - City of Dripping Springs
Oak Hill Parkway: From Vision to Reality*
ROOM: Salon 6
DESCRIPTION: The Oak Hill Parkway Project has been more than 30+ years in the making. Receive the final update on the construction along US 290, and along SH 71 West, including the full reconstruction of the US 290/SH 71 interchange.
SPEAKER: Christiana Astarita, P.E. - TxDOT
*Available On-Demand on May 26th*
| 11:30AM - 12:15PM | Networking Break Take a break in Zlotnik Foyer. Visit exhibitors, get a massage, or get your headshot taken upstairs. |
| 12:15PM - 1:15PM | KEYNOTE LUNCHEON Enjoy lunch in the Zlotnik Ballroom. Michelle Ellis from the Texas Division of Emergency Management will speak on Hazard Mitigation. |
| 1:15PM - 1:45PM | Networking Break Take a break in Zlotnik Foyer. Visit exhibitors, get a massage, or get your headshot taken upstairs. |
| 1:45PM - 2:45PM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS |
The Arbuckle Reservoir Story: Trials, tribulations and SUCCESS!
ROOM: Salon 1
DESCRIPTION: Learn how LCRA faced unexpected challenges building Texas’ 40,000-acre-foot reservoir including a hurricane, pandemic, and seepage issue. Examine how LCRA used dedication, teamwork, and creative thinking to bring this gulf coast project online.
SPEAKER: Monica Masters, P.E., PMP - LCRA
Austin Street Impact Fee - The Nitty Gritty Details
ROOM: Salon 2
DESCRIPTION: Austin's Street Impact Fee program took effect in December 2020 and collections began June 2022. Take a deep dive into the SIF program and receive answers to: Which infrastructure projects have been funded? What land uses are paying the most? Which types of developments are receiving reductions and credits? Are SIF rates about to change?
SPEAKER: Curtis P. Beaty, P.E. - Austin Transportation & Public Works
How City of Austin Uses AI in Residential Zoning Review*
ROOM: Salon 1
DESCRIPTION: COA engaged Archistar, an AI-based compliance tool, to enhance its Residential Zoning Review workflow and improve efficiency. Learn how the AI tool integrated into the existing regulatory framework and permitting process. Outline the procurement strategy, data calibration and rule-mapping process, phased implementation approach, and beta testing methodology used prior to deployment. The tool serves as a supplemental compliance check, enhances judgment, and provides a reliable double-check for zoning staff.
SPEAKERS:
- Tyler Johnson - COA Plans Examiner
- Leah Hilton - COA Zoning Plans Examiner Supervisor
- Danielle Mandeville - Archistar
Ethics Jeopardy - Afternoon
ROOM: Salon 5
DESCRIPTION: Earn 1 ethics credit at the least boring Engineering Ethics hour of your life! Andrew Hunt’s new Jeopardy game will include lively and entertaining group discussions, plus new questions and really bad Dad Jokes!
SPEAKER: Andrew Hunt - Project Control of Texas
Environmental Update: Yes, things changed again (again)*
ROOM: Salon 6
DESCRIPTION: Receive updates on Central Texas environmental regulations, requirements, and lessons learned. Learn about Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), endangered species, local environmental requirements, and avenues for permitting and compliance.
SPEAKER: Kevin Ramberg - aci environmental
*Available On-Demand on May 26th*
| 2:45PM - 3:15PM | Networking Break Take a break in Zlotnik Foyer. Visit exhibitors, grab a snack, or get your headshot taken upstairs. |
| 3:15PM - 4:15PM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS |
TxDOT Geotechnical Manual Updates
ROOM: Salon 1
DESCRIPTION: Receive updates to the Geotechnical Manual including Geotechnical Investigation/Subsurface Characterization, Foundation Design for Bridges – LRFD, and Retaining wall design – LRFD.
SPEAKER: Worku Mergia - TxDOT Bridge Division
Understanding Austin’s HOME Amendments: Public and Private Sector Insights
ROOM: Salon 2
DESCRIPTION: Panelists will discuss Austin's Home Options for Mobility and Equity (HOME), how the HOME code amendments improved review process efficiency and timelines, overall market impacts, and the Missing Middle.
SPEAKERS:
- Lyndi Garwood - City of Austin Principal Planner
- Cody Carr - Carr Residential Partner
Austin Water's On-Site Water Reuse Initiatives Updates*
ROOM: Ballroom
DESCRIPTION: Learn how commercial and multifamily projects, are complying with the 2024 ordinance, that requires water reuse to meet a project’s non-potable water demands.
SPEAKER: Katherine Jashinski PE - Austin Water Permitting and Development Center
Unconventional ATX: Reimagining the Austin Convention Center of the Future
ROOM: Salon 5
DESCRIPTION: Unpack the ACC project’s design vision, procurement and delivery strategies, site and infrastructure challenges, sustainability and resilience measures, and construction-phase risk management. Explore lessons learned and best practices for delivering public-sector civic projects in fast-growing urban contexts.
SPEAKER: Katy Zamesnik - Austin Convention Center
New Water Policy and Implications for Texas Water Infrastructure*
ROOM: Salon 6
DESCRIPTION: Receive updates on current policy discussions, and the impact of new legislation from the 88th regular session of the Texas Legislature. Learn how they will affect the market and the future of Texas water.
SPEAKER: Perry Fowler - The Texas Water Infrastructure Network
*Available On-Demand on May 26th*
| 4:15PM - 5:15PM | Margarita Social Close out the day with a free margarita in the Zlotnik Foyer and visit exhibitors one last time. |