​ACEA SYMPOSIUM 2026 SCHEDULE

Friday, May 1st 2026
7:00 AM – 5:15 PM
AT&T Conference Center & Rowling Hall
On-Demand sessions available in May

*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 - 1:15​PM

​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: Ballroom
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.

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