Raymond L. Buck Jr. Appointed UGRA General Manager
Kerrville
,
TX
,
July 14, 2005
- A seasoned
executive with a broad range of water management and leadership experience was
chosen Thursday to lead the Upper Guadalupe River Authority into a new era of
surface water management and conservation.
Raymond L. Buck Jr., 48, of
Bandera, will begin work August 1, said UGRA Board President Ronnie J. Pace.
During a special meeting Thursday morning, the board voted unanimously to
appoint Buck to the post.
“I am very pleased to be
appointed General Manager,” Buck said. “I
am looking forward to the challenges facing the Authority.
The
Guadalupe
River
is the focal point of
Kerr
County
and it is my goal to work toward preserving our heritage while providing for
our future. I believe wise stewardship guided by sound planning will enable us
to provide for all our current and future water resource needs. I’m looking
forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work serving the community.”
Buck rose to the top of a
field of 63 applicants during a selection process of resumes, written
questions, telephone interviews and in-person interviews, according to A.L.
Starkey III, Chairman of the Selection Committee.
Buck’s wide range of water expertise and experience “will be a
positive benefit” for the UGRA and the citizens of
Kerr
County
.
Mr. Buck possesses all of the
important attributes that we were looking for our new General Manager to
have,” Starkey said.
Pace welcomed Buck to the
River Authority.
“I believe the five-month
process we used to locate Mr. Buck was well spent and has brought us a man
uniquely qualified to take us forward to our goals,” he said.
“His experience with water
rights will help in our goal to make beneficial use of our surface water
rights for rural Kerr residents.”
“There are many challenges
ahead in water issues, and we are glad to have someone with the training and
experience Mr. Buck brings,” Pace said.
Buck, a certified planner, was
responsible for many of the planning programs at the Edwards Aquifer Authority
(EAA), a central-Texas groundwater district. The capstone of the planning
initiatives he developed for the EAA was the Comprehensive Water Management
Plan which defines and outlines a coordinated operational plan unifying all
EAA programs from water supply to water quality monitoring. In addition to
implementing surface water and groundwater monitoring programs for the
Springhills Water Management District, Buck also worked to develop the first
regional water supply plan and alternative water source for
Bandera
County
. His experience ranges from concept development to implementation,
encompassing the spectrum from water use planning to “on the ground”
projects.
“Much of my career has
revolved around water resources,” he said. “My experience provides me with
a good understanding and appreciation for the many issues surrounding the
management of water resources. I’ve found that working to achieve inclusive
solutions is essential to success.” I’ll listen and learn in order to
bring a pragmatic problem-solving approach to issues relating to
Kerr
County
’s surface water resources,” he said
Buck was born in
Bryan
,
Texas
. His family moved to the
Kerrville
area in the mid-1960’s. He graduated from
Tivy
High School
in 1975. In 1980 he earned a B.S. degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science
from
Texas
A&M
University
. Buck was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree from
Texas
A&M
University
in 1986.
In 1987, Buck joined the
Bandera County River Authority (BCRA) as their first executive director. Buck
developed a long-term management plan that included elements for water
conservation, public awareness, water quality and quantity monitoring, and
water supply development. In 1989, The BCRA became the Springhills Water
Management District and took on the added responsibility of groundwater
management. Tasked with the dual responsibility, Buck worked extensively with
legislators, and state and local officials, building partnerships to protect
and preserve the surface water and groundwater resources of
Bandera
County
.
The Edwards Aquifer Authority
(EAA) engaged Buck as their water resources coordinator in 1999. As the only
certified planner on staff, Buck took the lead in several planning initiatives
resulting in the Groundwater Management Plan, the 30-year Water Supply Plan,
and the Comprehensive Water Management Plan. Additionally, Buck coordinated
special planning projects including recharge and recirculation and quarry use
feasibility for recharge and storage. Buck also participated in regional water
supply planning by serving as staff liaison to the South Central Texas
Regional Water Planning Group (Region L).
The UGRA’s previous General
Manager,
Greg V. Etter
, announced his resignation in January, and left the position
February 7, 2005
. Interim GM
Scott
Loveland
chose to remain Hydraulic and Environmental Resources Manager.
Mr. Pace also expressed
appreciation to the Search Committee, A.L. Starkey III, Chairman,
Calvin Weinheimer
, and
Walter Schellhase
.
The UGRA’s mission is to
protect the surface water of
Kerr
County
.
_________________________________________________________________________
UGRA aspires to be respected for its efficient, responsive
and forthright stewardship of the Upper Guadalupe River and its tributaries.
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