Felipe Ignacio Arreguín Cortés, Subdirector
Comisión Nacional del Agua

Felipe Ignacio Arreguín-Cortés obtained his Master’s and Doctorate in Hydraulics form the Postgraduate Studies Division, Engineering Faculty at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

He has developed professionaly at theMexican Water Technology Institute, the Engineering Institute, UNAM, and the United Nations Organization.

Currently he serves as Technical Deputy Director for Mexico’s National Water Commission. He is also a Professor at UNAM, National Researcher, Level II, and Member of the Evaluation Committee and the Doctoral Committee of the Postgraduate Studies Division, Engineering Faculty at UNAM.

Overall he has published 170 documents and is member of several institutions and organizations such as the National Science Academy, the Mexican Hydraulics Association, AMH, the International Water Resources Association, IWRA, and the Mexican Association of Directors of Applied Research and Technological Development, ADIAT. Through the years Mr. Arreguín has been honored with several awards and distinctions.

Mary M. Brandt joined the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) as Special Assistant to the U.S. Commissioner in January of 2000. In this capacity Ms. Brandt serves as a senior foreign policy adviser to the U.S. Commissioner and as the principal liaison between the USIBWC and the Department of State. Ms. Brandt is permanently assigned to the Office of Mexican Affairs at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., where she facilitates coordination between the two agencies on U.S.-Mexico boundary and water issues having foreign policy implications.

Prior to assuming this position with the USIBWC, Ms. Brandt worked for 22 years in the Department of State’s Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Treaty Affairs as a treaty analyst, where she managed treaties and agreements in a number of areas, including the environment, boundary, and water issues. Before joining the Treaty Office, Ms. Brandt worked as a research assistant and as an historian in the Department of State’s Office of the Historian.

Ms. Brandt holds a BA in history from Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, West Virginia and a MA in diplomatic history from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Gediminas "Gedi" Cibas, Ph.D., Coordinator
Border/Environment. Impact Reviews
New Mexico Environment Department(NMED)

As a result of working in New Mexico for over 30 years in strategic planning, analytical and empirical analyses, and managerial and technical assignments in the areas of environment, energy, public utilities, and criminal justice, Gedi has obtained a firm grasp of the complex interactions necessary for effective planning and management of multidisciplinary programs. Gedi has a Doctorate in Economics, with a subspecialty in socio-economic development of Latin America, from the University of New Mexico). He is fluent in three languages—Lithuanian, Spanish, and English.

He has served in the capacity of: Border Environmental Coordinator, member of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board (2002-2006), Policy Analyst, Latin American Socio Economic Development Expert, Planner, Translator, Environmental Scientist, Supervisor of Energy and Economics Consultants, Oil/Natural Gas Expert Witness, Analytical/ Mathematical/Statistical Researcher, Associate Editor of the Intermountain Economic Review, and Lecturer of Economics. He has been a presenter at numerous conferences in the areas of energy/environment/economic forecasting, resource management and systems modeling. His present career objectives are to further implementation of New Mexico’s Environment Department initiatives, especially those relating to the U.S.-Mexico border region.

Michael Cohen, Senior Associate
Pacific Institute

Michael Cohen is a Senior Associate at the Pacific Institute, and is based in Boulder, Colorado.  He is a member of the IBWC’s Colorado River Delta Advisory Committee and of the California Resource Agency’s Salton Sea Advisory Committee.  Mr. Cohen collaborated in drafting shortage criteria and a shortage alleviation proposal in 2005, and drafted alternative surplus criteria for the lower Colorado River in 2000.  He is the lead author of the following Institute reports:  Haven or Hazard:  The Ecology and Future of the Salton Sea (1999), Missing Water:  The Uses and Flows of Water in the Colorado River Delta Region (2001), and Hazard: The Future of the Salton Sea With No Restoration Project.  He is also the co-author of several journal articles on water and the environment in the border region.  Mr. Cohen has a Master’s degree in Geography, with a concentration in Resources and Environmental Quality, from San Diego State University,  and a B.A. in Government from Cornell University.

Dr. Jaime Collado, Coordinador de Riego y Drenaje
Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua (IMTA)

Egresado del Instituto de Ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), en la cual obtuvo por oposición el nombramiento de Investigador Asociado “A” y el título de Ingeniero Civil en 1977. Posteriormente en 1979, le concedió el grado de Maestro en Ingeniería (Hidráulica). La Universidad de Iowa le otorgó en 1982 el grado de Maestro en Ciencias (Aprovechamientos Hidráulicos) y en 1984 el de Doctor en Filosofía (Aprovechamientos Hidráulicos).

En 1987 principia su colaboración con el Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua (IMTA), donde forma y dirige el Grupo de Aprovechamientos Hidráulicos, actualmente una subcoordinación.

Sus principales logros han sido el análisis y la planeación de la operación y expansión del Sistema Hidráulico Interconectado del Noroeste, el diseño topológico y climático de la red nacional telemétrica de estaciones climatológicas y observatorios meteorológicos, el desarrollo y aplicación de la normativa mexicana para elaborar Reglamentos de Operación de Distritos de Riego Interconectados, la formulación de una teoría para el uso eficiente del agua en cuencas, y la modelación hidrológica, diseño jurídico, facilitación social en la construcción del consenso y asesoría institucional en la negociación del Reglamento para la Distribución y Explotación, Uso o Aprovechamiento de las Aguas Nacionales Superficiales en la Cuenca del Río Bravo.

Ha participado en proyectos interdisciplinarios, interinstitucionales e internacionales, ha dictado conferencias por invitación en varias universidades y organismos públicos nacionales y extranjeros, ha organizado eventos científicos nacionales e internacionales, ha ofrecido consultorías a industrias, empresas privadas y organismos públicos nacionales y extranjeros, y ha participado en paneles tanto en México como en el extranjero.

Daniel J. Coogan, Partner
Coogan & Martin, P.C.

Mr. Coogan is a partner at Coogan & Martin, P.C. in Nogales, Arizona specializing in commercial litigation and transactions; Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) litigation; International Agricultural Litigation and Transactions; as well as business formation.

He received his B.L.A with distinction from Iowa State University in 1983. In 1989 he received his J.D from the University of Arizona.

He is a member of the NAFTA Advisory Committee on Private Commercial Disputes Regarding Agricultural Goods. He also holds membership with the State Bar of Arizona, Santa Cruz County Bar Association, American Agricultural Law Association, and the Border Issues Committee of Arizona-Mexico Commission of which he holds the position of Co-Chair.

Carlos de la Parra
Representative
Mexican Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT)

Carlos de la Parra is currently the Representative in the United States for the Mexican Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and serves as the Minister of Environmental Affairs in the Mexican Embassy in Washington, DC. He has a leave of absence from his work as a research-professor from El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF), in the Urban and Environmental Studies Department. Carlos has also served as SEMARNAT's Federal Regional Officer (Delegado Federal, 2002-2004) in the State of Baja California, and has a Ph.D in Environmental Planning from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Ezequiel Ezcurra
Provost, San Diego Natural History Museum
Director, Biodiversity Research Center of the Californias

Exequiel Ezcurra obtained his Ph.D. in Mathematical Ecology at the University College of North Wales, Bangor. In the 1970s, as a young researcher, he developed the first systematic Environmental Impact Assessment studies in Mexico.

Currently, he is the Provost of the San Diego Natural History Museum and Director of the Biodiversity Research Center of the Californias. As head of the Biodiversity Research Center at the San Diego Natural History Museum, he was the scientific producer, script writer and narrator of the giant-screen nature film Ocean Oasis, which won the 2001 Jackson Hole Nature Film Award and the 2002 BBC Wildscreen Award.

Among many other distinctions, he was honored with the 1994 Conservation Biology Award by the Society for Conservation Biology, and with the 1999 with Annual Research Award from the Metropolitan University of Mexico (UAM) for the best research paper of the year. In 1994 he was named Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). He was president of Mexico’s National Institute of Ecology from 2001 to 2005.

J. Arturo Herrera S., Commissioner
International Boundary and Water Commission Mexico / United States, Mexican Section

Mr. Herrera received in 1975 his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the National Politechnical Institute in Mexico City. From 1975 to 1977 in the National Autonomous University of Mexico, he completed the studies at Master’s Degree Level in Sanitary Engineering, and graduate diploma in Ecosystems Management and Environmental Protection from the University of Dresden, Germany in 1981.

Mr. Herrera has been serving twenty two years in this international forum, as responsible of the Mexican Section IBWC in Tijuana, B.C., Secretary of Mexican Section, Principal Engineer and since 1989 as Mexican Commissioner. He was actively involved in the bilateral consultations that became in the creation of the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission ( BECC ) wich was formed by Mexico and the United States as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement ( NAFTA ). He has been member of the BECC’s Board of Directors since its creation.

During these twenty years, he has worked in the conception and implementation of 41 binational Minutes, in border issues.

Ing. José Luis Jardines Moreno, Director General
Comisión Estatal del Agua

Empleado federal en diversos puestos tales como Director General de Irrigación y Control de Ríos entre 1968 y 1985 y Asesor del Administrador de la Unidad Hermosillo de la Comisión de Agua potable y Alcantarillado del Estado de Sonora de 1999 a 2001.

De igual manera se ha desempeñado como Maestro de Obras Hidráulicas y Recursos y necesidades de México en la escuela de Ingeniería Civil y maestro de Ingeniería Económica y de costos en la Maestría de Administración de la Construcción en la Universidad de Sonora.

A partir de Septiembre de 2003 Director de la Comisión Estatal del Agua en Sonora

Stephen K. Keat, Senior Advisor
Canada United States International Joint Commission (IJC)

Mr. Keat works directly under the Chair, US Section of the IJC. He supports the US Secretary and all six US and Canadian Commissioners, as well as working with key federal, state and provincial government agencies concerned with environmental, water and other resource issues impacting US/Canadian transboundary watersheds. He furnishes professional expertise to the Commission on diplomatic practice; while researching and providing advice on foreign affairs, environmental, legislative and economic issues related to the IJC's mandate. Mr. Keat serves as US staff lead for the St. Croix and Red River Basin boards.

Mr. Keat received his B.A. in Economics and Government from Franklin and Marshall College. He also attended the University of Edinburgh in a non-degree program. He received his M.A. in Political Economy from the University of Toronto where he also completed a Ph.D. Program (ABT).

Mary Kelly, Senior Attorney and Co-Program Directory
Environmental Defense

Mary Kelly is a Senior Attorney and Co-Program Director for Ecosystems at Environmental Defense. Environmental Defense is a national organization that combines law, science and economics to find cost-effective and lasting solutions to our most pressing environmental problems. Environmental Defense’s Texas office, located in Austin, was established in 1990.

Ms. Kelly has almost 20 years of experience as an environmental lawyer in Texas, having worked in private practice and the not-for-profit sector. She joined Environmental Defense in October 2002, after 11 years as the Executive Director of the Texas Center for Policy Studies. Previous to that, she was a partner in the firm of Henry, Kelly & Lowerre and various predecessor firms, representing citizens and local governments in a wide variety of environmental matters. She has served on numerous state advisory groups and is a frequent speaker at state and national legal conferences. She has authored several papers on Texas and transboundary water policy.

William G. Kepner, Research Ecologist
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory

William (Bill) G. Kepner is a Research Ecologist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada. Currently he is responsible for the research and development of landscape pattern indicators and their incorporation into regional assessment programs to measure ecological and watershed condition. Previous to his employment with the EPA, he was employed as an Environmental Contaminant Specialist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Phoenix, Arizona where he developed a statewide program to evaluate the impacts of environmental contaminants on fishery and wildlife resources.

Bill received an A.A. Degree in Biology from Phoenix College in 1973, a B.S. Degree in Biology from the University of Arizona (Tucson) in 1975, a M.S. Degree in Zoology from Arizona State University (Tempe) in 1982, and a MPA in Public Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2000.

Marilyn C. O’Leary 
Director, Utton Transboundary Resources Center
Professor, University of New Mexico

Marilyn C. O’Leary is Director of The Utton Transboundary Resources Center and Research Professor of Law at the University of New Mexico School of Law in Albuquerque. Prior to becoming Director of the Utton Center in 2001, she practiced water and utility law in Albuquerque. She also served five years on the New Mexico Public Service Commission, as assistant counsel, executive director, commissioner and commission chair. At the Utton Center she is focusing her efforts on identifying transboundary resources that may benefit from the Utton Center’s approach to promoting equitable and sustainable management and in putting together multidisciplinary teams to provide technical assistance for stakeholders of natural resources. Marilyn is Governor Bill Richardson’s appointee to the water committees of both the New Mexico/Chihuahua Border Commission and the Border Governors Conference. Her law degree is from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Denisse Varela Olivas, Attorney
Baker & Mackenzie Law Firm

Member of the natural resources and environmental practice group at Baker & Mckenzie Law Firm in Juarez, Mexico.

Co-organizer of the First Diploma in Environmental Management performed by the Association of Maquiladoras, A.C. in Juarez. Licenciada en Derecho (equivalent to J.D.) at the Monterrey Tech Campus Chihuahua (“ITESM” in Spanish) in May 2004

She did an internship during the fall of 2003 at the Office of Air and Radiation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and obtained a fellowship from the Government of the State of Chihuahua in order to design the project “Economic incentives for local industries to invest in favor of the environment”.

Currently, she is enrolled in a Certification of NEPA at the Duke University.

Fernando Román, P.E., Senior Technical Officer
North American Development Bank

Fernando Román has worked in the water and wastewater industry for 26 years. He currently works for the North American Development Bank as Senior Technical Officer, advising the bank on technical issues, providing quality control, and monitoring the implementation of infrastructure projects.

Prior to joining the Bank Mr. Román worked for the City of Laredo, Texas as Director of Utilities, in charge of developing the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure, and, in other positions with the City, managing and operating the facilities since 1980; he has also designed and operated desalinization facilities in his native México.

His education include a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional in Mexico City, an MBA and a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from the Texas A&M University system, and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from the George Washington University in Washington D.C.

Laura Silvan, Directora
Proyecto Fronterizo De Educación Ambiental (PFEA)

Antropóloga Social egresada de la Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia en la Ciudad de México.

Directora de Proyecto Fronterizo De Educación Ambiental (PFEA) (desde 1991)co-fundadora del Consejo de Educación Ambiental para las Californias y co Presidenta del Consejo Asesor Binacional de la Cuenca del Río Tijuana. Miembro de varios Consejos Directivos como el de de Fundación Internacional de la Comunidad, Fundación La Puerta, Proyecto Bioregional de Educación Ambiental, e Iniciativa Fronteriza San Diego/Tijuana. En 2001, Laura Silvan fue nombrada y aun funge dentro del Comité Consultivo Publico Conjunto de la Comisión Para la Cooperación Ambiental y al Consejo Consultivo para el Desarrollo Sustentable por la Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. Desde el 2005, encabeza la Coalición Ambiental para el Acceso y Transparencia de la Información en Baja California.

Jim Stefanov, Deputy Director
USGS Texas Water Science Center

Since September 2004 Jim Stefanov has been Deputy Director of the USGS Texas Water Science Center in Austin, Texas. Prior to joining the USGS, he served as the Chief of Planning (1998-2004) for the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission in El Paso, Texas. Jim holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geology and has more than 20 years of experience in water resources related fields.

D. Rick Van Schoik, Director
Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy (SCERP)

Mr. Van Schoik is a professor in the College of Arts and Letters at San Diego State University. He teaches courses in Environmental Security, Science and Policy in the International Security and Conflict Resolution Program.

Since 1998, Mr. Van Schoik has served as the first Managing Director of SCERP. His experience in developing, funding, managing, and interpreting programs enables SCERP to pursue complex, multidisciplinary, binational environmental, ecological, water, energy, and human health research and policy programs.

He received a B.S. in oceanography and engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and was a Navy SEAL until returning to school and acquiring a M.S. from San Diego State University in biology. He conducted post-graduate studies in Philanthropy at Harvard Graduate School of Education, Sustainable Development at Tufts, and attended the first Natural Resources Leadership Institute in North Carolina.

Dr. Richard D. Wright, Emeritus Professor of Geography

San Diego State University

Dr. Richard D. Wright is Emeritus Professor of Geography and Past Co-Director of the Center for Earth Systems Analysis Research at San Diego State University. Dr. Wright holds a Ph.D in Geography from the University of Kansas(1967), an M.A. in Geography from Indiana University(1961), and a B.A. in Geology from Indiana University(1960). He is a specialist on geographic information systems(GIS), cartographic visualization, and coastal watershed analysis. He has been a consultant to private industry and public agencies on a variety of mapping and geographic information systems projects. During the past fifteen years he has been engaged in GIS education and the use of GIS in land use and water quality modeling. He is an expert on the human and technical issues involved in the acquisition and integration of geographic data across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Dr. Wright has chaired the United States-Mexico Transboundary Resource Inventory Program, the Education Committee of the United States University Consortium for Geographic Information Science, the California Geographic Information Association, the California Planning Commissioners Association, the Water Conservation Garden Authority, and the San Diego Area Wastewater Management District. He has also served on numerous other boards and commissions.

Walter Raúl Zúñiga, Consultor
Consejo de la Cuenca Tijuana

Tiene una Maestría en Manejo de Ecosistemas de Zonas Áridas. Él es profesor afiliado a UABC, Ensenada, BC, especializado en investigación científica aplicada en cuencas hidrográficas, desarrollo sustentable y planeación estratégica participativa.

Ha trabajado como personal de la Comisión Estatal del Agua (CEA), en coordinación con la Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA) para desarrollar el Programa Estatal Hidráulico 2002-07 para Baja California. De igual manera ha conducido la investigación en proyectos interdisciplinarios. Ha coordinado e integrado el Programa de Conservación y Manejo del Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro Mártir, como Director Forestal y de la Fauna de la Secretaría de Fomento Agropecuario del Estado de Baja Calaifornia; ha coordinado e integrado el Programa de Desarrollo Regional de la Región del Vino y el Programa de Desarrollo Regional de Ojos Negros Valle de la Trinidad, como Jefe de Planeación Regional del Centro de Estudios y Planeacion del Desarrollo Sustentable de Ensenada (CEYPSE-IMIP).Actualmente asesora a los comités técnicos de agua subterránea (COTAS).