2024 Board of Directors Annual Elections

 It’s time for our annual TAEP Board of Director Elections.

Board members hold staggered three-year terms unless an interim election is held to replace a member who has stepped down.  The nominating committee tries to balance the slate of nominees so that the board represents all types of environmental professionals, including industry, consulting, regulatory, academic, and nonprofit. 

Below are the biographies for our three candidates for this year’s TAEP board election. We have two vacancies, as board members Jess Bailey and Alison Suarato are not running for reelection. Our sincerest thanks go out to them for their service!  Members Bryan Mason and Kathy Garland are running for reelection, and Bano Benavides, who has been managing our Young Environmental Professionals group (YEP) is now running for a seat on the board. Thanks so much to these members for being willing to step forward and serve on the board!

Please review the candidate biographies that follow and go to the ballot and click here to vote!  

Many thanks for your ongoing support of our profession!

Candidate Biographies

Bano Benavides

Mr. Benavides is a dedicated professional who graduated with a BS in Environmental Science from Stephen F. Austin State University. Over the past decade, he has held roles within the environmental consulting community that helped build his expertise and commitment to environmental stewardship.

Bano currently assists the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals (TAEP) as the Young Environmental Professional (YEP) coordinator where he focuses on fostering the growth and development of emerging professionals in the field. By becoming a Board Member, he plans to continue the promotion of TAEP and connecting more environmental professionals with each other.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Mr. Benavides enjoys spending time outdoors with his family & friends, as well as cooking, golfing and serving as a youth baseball coach within his local community.

Kathy Garland

Dr. Garland has served as Board Secretary since at least 2015 (She has lost track...). Kathy has a PhD in Geology from Penn State University. Prior to coming to Texas in 2002, she held roles with Chevron USA, New Mexico Environment Department, New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Mining and Minerals Division, and EnviroNet (defunct consulting firm out of Phoenix). She operated her own consulting practice from 2000-2004. In 2005 she joined the faculty of the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where she is Sr. Lecturer in Environmental Management. Her research interests lie in community resilience and climate sustainability. 

In her spare time, Kathy works with her partner, Fr. Steven Kirk, on nonprofit initiatives benefiting underserved children in Galveston Co. She has two grown sons, Alan (26), and Cameron (28), both of whom live in Boulder, CO. Kathy also handles affairs for her mom, who lives in Pittsburgh and will turn 99 in July 2024. Kathy enjoys spending time out of doors anywhere, but especially on beaches and in mountains, as befits a true field geologist. 

Please review the candidate biographies above and go to the ballot (click here) to vote!