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Elizabeth Pagano is the editor of the Austin Monitor.
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Meet the city’s next top water director
Monday, December 12, 2022 by Elizabeth Pagano
Shay Roalson, Brian Steglitz and Michael Brinkmann are the top three candidates in the running to be Austin’s next water director. In February, Director Greg Meszaros stepped down from the position after 15 years when a citywide boil-water notice was issued due to an employee error. The director heads the Austin Water utility and is expected to be appointed within a few weeks, according to a press release from the city. That same release contained bios of the three candidates, who will be present at a Dec. 15 meet-and-greet with the public, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive.
Shay Roalson: Starting as assistant director of Austin Water in April 2020, Roalson took responsibility for engineering services. Her team includes more than 80 staff in four divisions: Facility Engineering, SCADA Engineering and Operations Support, Pipeline Engineering and Operations Support, and Pipeline CIP Project Delivery. Prior to joining Austin Water, Roalson was the CTX Water Business Group Manager at HDR Engineering, Inc.
Brian Steglitz: Appointed as the interim public services area administrator for the Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant in January 2022, Steglitz oversees engineering, systems planning, solid waste, recycling, storm water management, wastewater treatment/collection, and drinking water treatment and delivery. Prior to this, he was the water treatment services unit manager from October 2014 to January 2022.
Michael Brinkmann: Brinkmann is the current vice president of distribution & collection operations for San Antonio Water System. Prior to this role, he was the vice president of operations services from October 2005 to May 2013. Before becoming an executive, he started at San Antonio Water System in 1994 and promoted through the ranks of engineering, program management, and project management.
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