Presenter: Jay Williamson, Grace & McEwan

Jay Williamson, TSPE's Legislative & Governmental Affairs Director, will provide a recap of recent Texas election results, an overview of interim charges being considered by the Texas Legislature, and a preview of some of the major topics of interest regarding licensing and infrastructure investment for professional engineers ahead of the 2027 Texas Legislative session. This seminar will include examples of TSPE's engagement in prior legislative sessions and will dive into expected reforms that could impact engineers during the 90th Legislative Session.

Jay Williamson advocates on behalf of clients at the state and local levels. He is experienced in developing effective legislative strategies, navigating complex policy needs, coordinating clients' political engagement, and supporting appropriations initiatives. Jay has represented clients across a diverse range of issues, including telecommunications, licensing, county government, voting rights, business liability, tort reform, appropriations, public safety, and workforce development. He helps clients navigate Texas state government and Austin City Hall, and is passionate about providing a hands-on approach to achieving success with policymakers and political stakeholders. Jay advises various political action committees in Texas by shaping their engagement with Texas legislative candidates.

Before joining Grace & McEwan Consulting, Jay spent five years as an associate at a boutique government relations firm in Austin, where, in addition to lobbying the Texas Legislature, he also advocated on behalf of clients in Louisiana. He began his career as a legislative aide for former Representative Travis Clardy (R-Nacogdoches). Jay is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a McCombs Business Honors Degree and a minor in business and public policy.

Presenter: Tracy Volz, Ph.D., Rice University

Early-career engineers are expected to communicate clearly in real time—presenting ideas, explaining decisions, reporting progress, and responding to questions across a range of professional settings. This session focuses on practical strategies to strengthen those skills in presentations, meetings, and interviews. Through guided activities and examples, participants will learn how to engage an audience, organize their message for clarity, and respond confidently in the moment. Topic areas will include but are not limited to: structuring concise verbal messages; adapting communication to the audience; explaining technical decisions clearly; managing cognitive load for listeners; and handling questions effectively.

Tracy Volz is the director of the Activate Engineering Communication Program and an award-winning Professor in the Practice at Rice University. She has been engaged in communication instruction, scholarship, consulting and outreach for over twenty-five years. From 2013-2018, she led Rice University's Program in Writing and Communication (PWC). Prior to directing the PWC, she was a senior lecturer in the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership. In addition to working with faculty and students, Tracy has led communication seminars for engineers, physicians, and business professionals.

Presenter: Casey Briseno, NextDecade

This seminar features Casey Briseno, Vice President of Project Execution at NextDecade, who leads execution of the $30 billion Rio Grande LNG project at the Port of Brownsville. She will share practical insights from overseeing construction, commissioning, start up, and regulatory compliance for a world scale LNG facility. Attendees will gain an understanding of the critical role engineers play in delivering major energy infrastructure that supports economic growth and global energy reliability.

Casey is a focused and effective leader with over 25 years’ experience in managing complex projects within the energy sector. Currently serving as the Vice President, Project Execution at NextDecade LNG, LLC., she is responsible for the execution of the $32 Billion Rio Grande LNG Project located in Brownsville, TX.  This includes, managing all construction, commissioning, and start-up activities, as well as project regulatory requirements.  Previously, as the Vice President, New Energies at Tallgrass, Casey was responsible for developing new energy projects, including hydrogen, ammonia, and synthetic natural gas. At Tellurian, Inc., Casey provided regulatory expertise for Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream assets, acting as the primary liaison with PHMSA for federal safety standards. At Energy Vault Holdings, Inc., Casey led the execution and delivery of Gravitational and Battery Energy Storage Solutions, developing strategic partnerships and negotiating key contracts.

With a solid foundation from Cheniere Energy Inc., where Casey managed multi-billion-dollar projects and led multi-discipline teams, and earlier roles at Trunkline LNG Co. and Boise Paper Solutions, Casey has demonstrated a consistent ability to meet and exceed project goals. Recognized for outstanding contributions and skilled in building and managing diverse teams, Casey brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project, ensuring quality, compliance, and successful delivery. Casey has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University and Executive MBA from Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business. Casey holds a Professional Engineering License in Control Systems from the State of Louisiana. Casey volunteers her time as a committee member for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for Control Systems Licensure.

Presenter: Alex Meade, TxDOT

Presenter: Various presenters