Engineer of the Year  |  Dallas Chapter

With over 25 years of experience in water resources and environmental engineering, Jenny is a respected leader and trusted advisor in the industry. She currently serves as an Associate Vice President and Project Advisor in the Water Resources practice at Halff, where she provides strategic direction and technical expertise on projects that serve public sector clients across Texas.

Jenny’s career began with hands-on work in stormwater, flood and erosion control, and environmental projects. Over time, she built and led a successful water resources practice, managing a broad range of responsibilities including hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, drainage design, permitting, plan development, resource allocation, quality reviews, and staff mentoring. Her strengths lie in client development, project execution, technical problem solving, and guiding interdisciplinary teams through complex technical challenges.

A native Texan, Jenny was born in Arlington and then raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science with a concentration in Environmental Engineering and a minor in Chemistry from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. While working full-time in engineering consulting, she earned a Master of Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering with a focus in Water Resources from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Jenny is deeply committed to promoting and enhancing the profession and licensed practice of engineering. She served on the TSPE Dallas Chapter Board of Directors for eight years including Chapter President. She has held numerous other leadership roles serving on committees and in her current role as State Treasurer on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Her recognitions include the TSPE Excellence Award, the Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation Award from the Texas Engineering Foundation, Young Engineer of the Year for the Dallas Chapter, Engineer of the Year for the Dallas Chapter, and TSPE State Young Engineer of the Year. She has also been involved in community and professional organizations such as the Junior League of Collin County, Little People of America, and the National Psoriasis Foundation. Jenny maintains a strong connection to her alma mater, St. Mary’s University, where she has served as a keynote speaker and been honored as a Distinguished Alumna.

Outside of work, Jenny enjoys traveling, snow skiing, healthy living, and of course, spreadsheets. She has run the White Rock Marathon, surfed in Florida, California, and Hawaii, and recently took up ice hockey. Most of all, she treasures her Christian faith and family. Jenny lives in Frisco, Texas, with her husband Brian, who is also a civil engineer, and their two children, Bethany and Micah.  A devoted and active parent, she has coached cheer, soccer, softball, and baseball teams for her kids and stays busy with many LaFoy family adventures.

Young Engineer of the Year  |  Travis Chapter

Kristen J. Van Hoosier, P.E. is a licensed professional engineer and proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering with a minor in Korean. Though she began her college journey with dreams of becoming a doctor, it was her older brother’s encouragement that ultimately led her to discover a passion for civil engineering—a decision that proved to be the perfect fit.

Born in New York and raised in a military family, Kristen experienced the challenges and resilience that come with frequent relocations, eventually settling in Ft. Cavazos, Texas shortly after 9/11. Her father, a former Army engineer, served multiple overseas deployments while her mother balanced a full-time career and raising two teenagers. Inspired by her parents’ dedication to their careers, Kristen graduated Salutatorian of her high school class in 2010 and earned an associate’s degree through the Texas Bioscience Institute at Temple College.

Today, Kristen serves as a Group Lead at Cobb, Fendley & Associates, Inc. where she leads water and wastewater infrastructure projects within their Central Texas Municipal Department. Beyond technical work, she is passionate about mentoring junior staff and shaping company culture. She actively contributes to various firm-wide initiatives, including employee experience efforts and the Emerging Leaders program.

Kristen is also an active leader in the professional engineering community. Within the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association (TAWWA), she serves as Scholarship Co-Chair at the state level and Scholarship Chair for the Capital Area Chapter, where she leads outreach to local water operators. She previously chaired the chapter’s annual seminar. In the TSPE Travis Chapter, Kristen is the Immediate Past President and incoming Treasurer (2025–2027), having also served as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Banquet Director. Her involvement extends to NSPE and ASCE, and she is a proud graduate of the PE Leadership Institute Class 12.

Kristen extends her leadership beyond engineering into community service. Since joining the Junior League of Austin (JLA) in 2023, she has volunteered with JLA’s Food in Tummies (FIT) program as well as the Ronald McDonald House Charities through their Happy Wheels Cart program at Dell Children’s Hospital. For the 2025–2026 league year, she will serve internally as Website Tech Lead.

Passionate about health and wellness, Kristen is also a certified group fitness instructor, teaching Les Mills bodycombat, bodypump, bodybalance, core, and tone at local gyms. Through fitness, she hopes to empower others to pursue their goals, build community, and find joy in movement. At home, Kristen treasures time with her children—Isaac, Alex, Helena, and Olivia—and credits her ability to balance a full life to the unwavering support of her “super-husband” Inwoo and her devoted parents, George and Sam.

Engineering Student of the Year  |  University of Texas at Austin

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Sophia is a student at The University of Texas at Austin, where she is working toward her B.S. in Civil Engineering and a minor in Business. She has maintained a strong academic record and has been recognized as a University Honors student and a Halliburton Scholar.

Sophia is interested in structural engineering and is currently gaining research experience as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory, where she assists graduate students with structural testing and analysis. This summer she is completing an internship with Halff Associates in the structural engineering department. She is excited to work at Halff and gain a more concrete understanding of the daily responsibilities of structural engineers.

She also has experience in land development as an intern at Pape-Dawson, where she helped design streets, drains, and utilities for residential developments. Other experience includes working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Construction and Project Management Department at UT.

Outside of class and work, Sophia is committed to helping others navigate their own paths in engineering. She serves as an Engineering Ambassador for the Cockrell School of Engineering where she meets with prospective students interested in UT and answers their questions. She is also active in organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Architectural Engineering Institute, and continues to look for ways to grow and support her community. She has served as a volunteer coordinator for the annual Texas Girl’s Day Event since 2023.

One of her most meaningful projects has been re-establishing the TSPE student chapter at UT Austin. As the chapter’s President, Sophia works to help fellow students understand the importance of professional licensure and connect with engineers in the field. She interacts directly with the TSPE Travis Chapter, the state chapter, and with other student chapters to achieve these goals.

Outside of school, Sophia is an active runner, running in the Austin Half Marathon this past February, and the San Antonio Half Marathon this coming December. She is planning on running the Austin Full Marathon in 2026.