Gov. Perry Appoints Nine to Rio Grande Regional Water Authority Board

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry appointed nine to the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority Board of Directors. The board develops water policies, manages floods and protects the quality of water for the Rio Grande that borders Willacy, Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Zapata, and Webb counties.

Joe A. Barrera III of Brownsville is general manager of the Brownsville Irrigation District. He is past secretary and treasurer for the Lower Rio Grande Authority and the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water District Managers Association. He is being reappointed for a term expiring February 1, 2009.

Dario Guerra Jr. of Edinburg is a self-employed rancher. He is a former member of the Texas Water Development Board. His term expires February 1, 2009.

Wayne Halbert of San Benito is general manager of the Harlingen Irrigation District and Adams Gardens Irrigation District. He serves as the mayor of Rangerville and is the legislative director of the Texas Irrigation Council. He is past president of the Texas Water Conservation Association, chairman of the Rio Grande Watermaster Advisory Council and past chairman of the Southmost Soil and Water Conservation District. He is being reappointed for a term expiring February 1, 2011.

Sonny Hinojosa of Edinburg is general manager of Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2. He is a board member of the Texas Water Conservation Association, and vice president of the Lower Rio Grande Water Committee and the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water District Managers Association. He is also a member of the Region M Water Planning Group, and secretary of the Texas Irrigation Council and the Watermaster Advisory Council. Hinojosa received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&I University. His term expires February 1, 2009.

Sonia Kaniger of Harlingen has served the Cameron County Irrigation District No. 2 for 30 years. She is past president of the Lower Rio Grande Water District Managers Association and past vice president of the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority. She is also a board member of the Texas Water Conservation Association and a member of the Region M Water Planning Group. She is being reappointed for a term expiring February 1, 2009.

Brian Macmanus of Harlingen is the director of water and wastewater at the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation. He is a board member of the Texas Rural Water Association, and secretary treasurer for the South Texas Water Utility Manager’s Association and the North Cameron Regional Water Supply Corporation. He is also past vice president of the Texas Water Utility Association, Citrus Chapter. Macmanus received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Missouri, Columbia. His term expires February 1, 2011.

Samuel Sparks Jr. of Harlingen is owner and operator of SRS Farms. He is president of Ross Gin and Mercedes Water District No. 9, vice president of Valley Coop Oil Mill and member of the Valley Acres Water District. Sparks attended Abilene Christian University. His term expires February 1, 2011.

Jimmie Steidinger of Donna is a farmer and rancher. He is past chairman of the Texas Citrus Exchange and past secretary of the Edinburg Citrus Association. Steidinger serves on the advisory committee of Texas A&M University Kingsville Citrus Center. He is being reappointed for a term expiring February 1, 2009.

Frank "JoJo" White of Progreso Lakes is general manager of Irrigation District No. 9 for Hidalgo and Cameron counties. He is director of the Texas Irrigation Council and Valley Water Committee, and past president of the Rio Grande Water District Managers Association. White received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas Pan American. His term expires February 1, 2009.