When Water Works - Keys to Workforce Development Programs in Water/Wastewater

Doug Short was hired as the first Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer for the Trinity River Authority of Texas in 2014.  TRA is a conservation and reclamation district providing water and wastewater treatment, along with recreation and reservoir facilities, for municipalities within the nearly 18,000-square-mile Trinity River basin.  He serves currently on the Texas Cybersecurity Council, the Water Environment Association of Texas Safety and Security Committee, and Chairs the Texas American Water Works Association Resiliency and Cybersecurity Committee.  Doug holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and a graduate degree in Computer Resource and Information Management.  He also has completed the following certification programs:  University of North Carolina Certified Government Chief Information Officer, Global Information Assurance Certifications - Certified Information Security Manager, Cybersecurity Strategic Planning, Policy and Leadership, and Cybersecurity Critical Controls Implementation.   Doug got his start in information technology and cybersecurity in the US Air Force with 28-years’ service on active duty.  His experience includes leading inspection teams for the National Security Agency and Air Intelligence Agency, command of the Air Force Cyber Operations School, coordinating and implementing cyber strategy throughout the Federal Government, and providing strategic analysis and recommendations to national leaders on cybersecurity issues and operations as a member of the Joint Staff.

John began his career with the Trinity River Authority of Texas at their 189MGD Central Regional Wastewater System as a seasonal grounds employee in 1986, the day after graduating high school. He worked as a maintenance mechanic at all levels until progressing to a plant manager of the 11.5 MGD Denton Creek Regional Wastewater System in 2003. In 2019 he progressed to the Deputy Executive Manager of the Northern Region Operations Group where he has oversight of 5 regional wastewater plant responsible for serving a populating of 2.25 million people. One 88 MGD drinking water plant serving all or part of five cities with a population of 250,000. He has several support groups under his guidance that assist with Engineering Services, Collection’s system repairs, Pretreatment and Laboratory services for 39 utilities. He has a TCEQ Class A Wastewater license and graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2016 with Bachelors in of Business Studies with a minor in Management.

Taylor Huynh received a Bachelor of Science degree in management of information systems from the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to joining the Trinity River Authority, Huynh served as case liaison, serving the Texas Rehabilitation Commission and as investment partner of an employment agency serving Tarrant and Dallas counties. She began working for TRA in January 2000 as personnel services manager and advanced to human resources manager in 2013 serving as Human Resources business partner and as project manager for information technology initiatives implementing and managing multiple enterprise software systems integration. She was promoted to her current position in December 2018. She has held leadership positions as committee member of the Texas Water Conservation Association Diversity Subcommittee, United Way of Tarrant County Impact Council for funding and grants, Parent Teacher Association and Uplift Education volunteer. She is an active supporter of United Way and local partner agencies and serves as campaign advisor for the Authority’s annual charity donations committee. Huynh is an active member of the national Society of Human Resource Management, the Fort Worth Human Resources Management Association and a member of the International Association of HR Information Management. Huynh is a certified senior professional in Human Resources.

Matthew Jalbert has been with the Trinity River Authority (TRA) since January 2015. In 2006, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M University in Civil Engineering. He received his Masters of Engineering in Civil Engineering in 2012 at the University of Texas at Arlington. He worked with three engineering firms prior to 2015. He worked in the position as the Engineering Manager at TRA’s Central Regional Wastewater System. In April 2019, he moved in to the Planning, Design and Construction Administration group for TRA, where he served as the Manager, Engineering Services and managed their Capital Improvement Program. In April 2022, he was appointed the Executive Manager, Northern Region in which he oversees the operation and maintenance of five wastewater treatment and one water treatment facilities. He holds his professional engineering license in the state of Texas as well as a TCEQ Class B Wastewater Operator license. He is actively involved with the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) and served as the President from 2022-2023. He is currently serving as the WEAT Past-President and as a Delegate on the Water Environment Federation, and was appointed to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies Board of Directors in 2024.