Leadership Montgomery County explores infrastructure in The Woodlands and surrounding area

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The latest issues and accomplishments in infrastructure in Montgomery County were recently presented to the Leadership Montgomery County (LMC) Class of 2017 during their Infrastructure Session.

From water conservation and wastewater treatment to electricity and roads, the Infrastructure Session, sponsored by Entergy Texas, showed a deeper look into the inner workings of the county to the class, which is comprised of 44 business and community leaders.

LMC Board Member Erich Peterson of Jones & Carter served as the session director, which was held at the San Jacinto River Authority in Conroe. The day began with an overview of infrastructure from Peterson along with Virgil Yoakum of Johnson Development Company.

Paul Nelson of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District then spoke to the class about water regulations in Montgomery County. San Jacinto River Authority general manager Jace Houston covered the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) and its role in the county.

After a tour of the Lake Conroe Dam, the class heard from Allen East of Entergy Texas about the electricity infrastructure in the county and the region followed by Scott Taylor, director of public works for the City of Conroe, who presented the public works perspective.

The class then visited the San Jacinto River Authority surface water treatment plant for a tour and presentation by Mark Smith, division manager of the SJRA GRP Division. The class ended the day with a tour of the City of Conroe’s wastewater treatment plant.

“The infrastructure day was extremely interesting,” said class member Kerrie Guerrero, vice president/chief nursing officer of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. “We not only learned what basic infrastructure is and how it works, we also learned about the San Jacinto River Authority, which was created for the purpose of developing, conserving, and protecting the water resources of the San Jacinto River basin. One of my favorite parts of the day was the tour of the Lake Conroe Dam. I grew up spending my weekends on Lake Conroe and so it was fascinating to see the dam gates open and the incredible amount of water that it releases. I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of LMC, which has provided me the opportunity to get a firsthand look at how the infrastructure of Montgomery County works.”

Local government

In December, the Class of 2017 explored local government.

The full-day of learning about national, state and local government was directed by Steve Williams, assistant city administrator and chief financial officer for the City of Conroe. Each year, LMC alumni are invited to the Government Session to meet the class, visit with other alumni and hear updates from their government officials.

“The LMC day dedicated to the workings of our Government was incredibly informative,” said class member Catherine Giegerich, VP, Chief Nursing Officer, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. “We began with federal and progressed to state and local governmental agencies. The representatives at all levels gave generously of their time and answered all of our varied questions to the best of their ability. Congressman Kevin Brady, who could not be with us in person, took time to video his comments to us and it still felt like he was with us in the room! The day opened this constituent’s eyes to the complexity of our political environment and how best to be heard.”

Will Metcalf, State Representative – District 16, added, “I was honored to take part in Leadership Montgomery County's Government Day this year. As an LMC Alumni myself, it was a special experience to be on the other side of the presentation. I enjoyed speaking to this year's class about our state government and my role as a State Representative in the Texas legislature. LMC is a huge asset to Montgomery County in helping shape the current and future leaders of our community.”

For more information about Leadership Montgomery County, please visit LMCTX.org.

Photo: The class enjoyed a tour of the Lake Conroe Dam. (L to R) Carmen Smiley of The Woodlands Area Chamber, Jocelyn Durfield of Strike, Vanjia Thomas of Praxair, and Heather Neeley of Oak Ridge North.