Independent Austin Water Guide: WaterDepartmentGuide.org is an independent informational resource. It is not operated by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Austin Water, the City of Austin, Austin City Council, or the Water and Wastewater Commission.
Leadership, commission membership, meeting dates and staff assignments can change. This guide identifies the current 2026 structure and links directly to official City of Austin sources for final verification.
Austin Water Department 2026: Leadership, Board & Director
Austin Water leadership & governance guide
Who Runs Austin Water in 2026?
Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. is the Director of Austin Water in 2026. She leads the City department responsible for Austin’s drinking water, wastewater, reclaimed water, field operations, water-resource planning and related environmental programs.
Austin Water does not operate like an independent water authority with its own governing corporate board. Its principal citizen advisory body is the 11-member Water and Wastewater Commission, which reviews utility policy and makes recommendations to Austin City Council.
City Council retains legislative and policy authority, while the City Manager administers City departments. Austin’s Charter provides that department directors are appointed and may be removed by the City Manager.
Start here
Austin Water Leadership Quick Facts
If you searched for the “Austin Water Board of Directors,” the closest City body is the Water and Wastewater Commission. It reviews Austin Water issues and recommends actions, but it is not an independent corporate board controlling the utility. Austin Water is a City of Austin department.
Austin Water Director
Runs the department and supervises Austin Water’s programs, personnel, infrastructure and services.
See Director DetailsWater & Wastewater Commission
Reviews utility policies, rates, budgets, projects, water supply and other Austin Water issues.
Understand the CommissionAustin City Council
Exercises legislative and policy authority and takes final action on City budgets, ordinances and many utility matters.
See Oversight StructureDepartment executive
Who Is the Austin Water Director in 2026?
Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E.
Director, Austin Water
Roalson leads Austin Water’s drinking-water, wastewater and reclaimed-water treatment and field operations, along with water-resource planning, wildlands conservation and environmental-protection responsibilities.
Official Austin Water biography states that Roalson has more than three decades of experience with Texas water utilities, infrastructure planning, design and construction.
She is a licensed professional engineer in Texas.
Bachelor of Engineering.
Master of Science.
What does the Austin Water Director control?
Austin’s City Charter places a director at the head of each City department and provides that department directors are appointed and may be removed by the City Manager. The director has supervision and control over the department within the City’s Council-Manager structure.
Review Austin CharterExecutive organization
Austin Water Executive Leadership Team 2026
Austin Water’s current public leadership page identifies the Director, Chief of Staff and three Deputy Directors as its executive leadership team.
Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E.
Department-wide executive leadership and accountability.
Emlea Chanslor
Executive coordination and leadership support.
Joseph Gonzales, CPA
Executive responsibility for the Business Services portfolio.
Randi Jenkins
Executive responsibility for the Technical Services portfolio.
Ayman Benyamin, P.E.
Executive responsibility for Austin Water operations.
Austin Water also has assistant directors, division managers and other senior managers beneath its executive structure. Organizational charts can change as positions are filled, reorganized or temporarily assigned. For the current top executive team, use Austin Water’s official About page.
What this team manages
How Large Is Austin Water?
Austin Water also operates reclaimed-water infrastructure, conservation programs, water-resource planning, environmental programs and the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant.
The “water board” search intent
What Is Austin’s Water and Wastewater Commission?
An 11-member City of Austin advisory commission.
Reviews Austin Water policies, resources and proposed actions.
It does not replace the City Council or City Manager.
The Commission reviews and analyzes policies and resources relating to Austin Water and advises the City Council on utility matters. Its work is intended to support adequate, economical potable water service and a stable, economical and environmentally safe wastewater system.
What the Commission reviews
One appointment associated with each City Council district plus the Mayor’s appointment slot.
The Commission’s bylaws provide for four-year terms beginning March 1 of the appointment year.
Commission members are appointed by the Austin City Council and serve at Council’s pleasure.
Use this page for current meetings, documents, bylaws and staff contacts.
Latest verified 2026 roster
Austin Water and Wastewater Commission Members
The member list below follows the City’s July 15, 2026 Commission agenda, which is newer than some older roster pages and includes Andrew Maas in the Mayor-appointed seat.
| Member | Role / Appointment Seat |
|---|---|
| Chris Maxwell-Gaines | Chair · District 8 |
| Marcela Tuñón | Vice Chair · District 9 |
| Andrew Maas | Mayor-appointed seat |
| Jesse Penn | District 1 |
| Alex Navarro | District 2 |
| Amanda Marzullo | District 3 |
| Mike Reyes | District 4 |
| Evan Wolstencroft | District 5 |
| Shwetha Pandurangi | District 6 |
| Alex Ortiz | District 7 |
| Shannon Trilli | District 10 |
The Commission is structured around Council appointment slots, but commissioners act as members of a City advisory body reviewing Austin Water matters. Your own Council district representative and the commissioner appointed to that seat are different government roles.
Do not confuse these titles
Austin Water Director vs. Commission Chair
Shay Ralls Roalson
Austin Water Director- Runs Austin Water
- Supervises department operations
- Leads executive staff
- Oversees water and wastewater services
- Represents Austin Water in City briefings
- Is a City administrative official
Chris Maxwell-Gaines
Water & Wastewater Commission Chair- Leads Commission meetings
- Serves on the advisory commission
- Participates in Commission recommendations
- Does not manage Austin Water employees
- Does not replace the Water Director
- Does not replace City Council authority
Who has authority?
How Austin Water Governance Actually Works
Water & Wastewater Commission
Reviews Austin Water policies, budgets, rates, contracts, infrastructure projects and other utility matters and sends recommendations to City Council where applicable.
Austin City Council
Austin’s Council-Manager system places legislative responsibilities with the Mayor and Council. Council adopts the City budget and makes policy decisions through ordinances, resolutions and other actions.
City Manager
The City Manager is the City’s chief administrative and executive officer and carries out Council’s legislative and policy objectives.
Austin Water Director
The Director supervises and controls Austin Water’s department-level operations within City administration.
Some matters are administrative, some require Commission recommendations, some are reviewed by a Council committee, and others require full City Council action. Always check the specific agenda item, ordinance, contract or budget action to identify the decision-making path.
Council-level review
Climate, Water, Environment & Parks Committee
Austin City Council also has a Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee. It was formerly known as the Austin Water Oversight Committee and may review water policy, utility financial matters, water quality, strategic plans, major capital transactions and related environmental issues.
The Water and Wastewater Commission is an appointed advisory commission. The Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee consists of elected City Council members. They are separate bodies with different roles.
Public participation
Austin Water and Wastewater Commission Meetings
Remaining scheduled 2026 regular meetings
Always open the posted agenda before traveling or registering to speak. The City specifically instructs users to confirm meeting details through the current agenda.
Speak to the Commission
How to Make Public Comment at a Water Commission Meeting
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1
Open the current meeting agenda
Confirm the date, meeting location, agenda item and current participation instructions.
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2
Decide whether your comment concerns an agenda item
Read the posted agenda carefully so you know whether you are addressing a listed item or general public communication.
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3
Register under the current instructions
Recent 2026 agendas have allowed both in-person and remote telephone comments. Remote speakers were instructed to register no later than noon on the day before the meeting.
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4
Contact the Commission liaison if needed
Vicky Addie is listed as the Commission staff liaison at 512-972-0332 and vicky.addie@austintexas.gov.
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5
Prepare a short, focused statement
Recent agendas have provided speakers up to three minutes. Confirm the limit on the agenda for the meeting you plan to attend.
Recent agendas state that reasonable modifications and equal access to communications are available upon request, including language-access support. Contact the Commission liaison early and follow the deadline shown on the current agenda.
Commission contacts
Water and Wastewater Commission Staff Liaisons
Vicky Addie
Austin Water
512-972-0332 vicky.addie@austintexas.govHeather Cooke
Austin Water
512-972-0083 heather.cooke@austintexas.govEmlea Chanslor
Austin Water
512-972-0145 emlea.chanslor@austintexas.govUse the right contact
Austin Water Leadership, Office & Customer Contacts
Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E.
512-972-0108 shay.roalson@austintexas.gov Policy / executive contact published in City memorandaDepartment Contact
512-972-1000 Also used for 24-hour water / wastewater service issuesCity of Austin Utilities
512-494-9400 Billing, account management, start/stop/transfer serviceAustin 3-1-1
3-1-1 512-974-2000 City information and service requestsWaller Creek Center
Austin Water
625 E. 10th Street
Austin, TX 78701
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Contact decoder
Who Should You Contact About Austin Water?
| Your Issue | Best Contact | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Water bill or utility account | City of Austin Utilities Customer Care | 512-494-9400 |
| Water / wastewater emergency | Austin Water | 512-972-1000 |
| Commission agenda or public comment | Vicky Addie | 512-972-0332 |
| Austin Water executive matter | Director’s Office | 512-972-0108 |
| Media request | Austin Water Public Information Office | Email PIO |
| General City service request | Austin 3-1-1 | Call 3-1-1 |
The Water and Wastewater Commission is a policy advisory body. Routine billing, account, leak, outage and service issues should go through Austin Water or City of Austin Utilities customer-service channels.
Follow decisions
How to Track Austin Water Leadership & Board Decisions
Contracts, projects & recommendations
Meeting agendas show what commissioners are considering and the recommendation language sent toward Council action.
2026 Commission DocumentsFinal legislative actions
Use Council agendas and meeting records to determine whether a recommendation became an approved contract, budget action, ordinance or resolution.
Austin City CouncilExecutive updates to Mayor & Council
Austin’s official memorandum search includes updates signed by the Austin Water Director concerning water supply, infrastructure, treatment projects and other utility issues.
Search City MemorandaWater policy briefings
The Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee receives Austin Water briefings on selected policy, infrastructure, conservation and financial topics.
Council CommitteeGovernance terms
Austin Water Leadership Terms Explained
- Austin Water Director
- The City department head responsible for supervising and controlling Austin Water operations.
- Deputy Director
- A senior Austin Water executive responsible for a major operational or organizational portfolio under the Director.
- Water and Wastewater Commission
- An 11-member City advisory commission that reviews Austin Water policies and resources and advises City Council.
- Commission Chair
- The commissioner who presides over Commission business and meetings; the Chair is not Austin Water’s department director.
- City Council
- Austin’s elected legislative body, consisting of the Mayor and Council members, responsible for City legislative and policy functions.
- City Manager
- Austin’s chief administrative and executive officer, appointed by City Council to implement Council policy and oversee City administration.
- Council Committee
- A committee composed of Council members that may review defined policy areas before or alongside full Council consideration.
- Staff Liaison
- A City staff member who supports an advisory commission with meetings, coordination, agendas and public-participation questions.
Primary sources
Official Austin Water Leadership & Board Links
Frequently searched questions
Austin Water Department Leadership FAQs
Who is the Austin Water Director in 2026?
Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. is the Director of Austin Water in 2026. She leads the City department’s water, wastewater, reclaimed-water, field operations, water-resource planning and related environmental responsibilities.
Does Austin Water have a board of directors?
Austin Water is a City of Austin department rather than an independent water authority with a corporate board of directors. The Water and Wastewater Commission is the principal City advisory commission reviewing Austin Water policies and resources and making recommendations to City Council.
Who is the chair of the Austin Water and Wastewater Commission?
The City’s July 15, 2026 Commission agenda lists Chris Maxwell-Gaines as Chair. He holds the District 8 appointment seat. Marcela Tuñón is listed as Vice Chair for District 9.
How many members are on the Austin Water and Wastewater Commission?
The Water and Wastewater Commission has 11 members appointed by the Austin City Council. The Commission’s bylaws provide for four-year terms beginning March 1 of the appointment year.
Who appoints the Austin Water Director?
Austin’s City Charter provides that the director at the head of each City department is appointed and may be removed by the City Manager. The Director supervises and controls the department within Austin’s Council-Manager system.
Who are the Austin Water deputy directors in 2026?
Austin Water’s current executive leadership page lists Joseph Gonzales, CPA as Deputy Director of Business Services; Randi Jenkins as Deputy Director of Technical Services; and Ayman Benyamin, P.E. as Deputy Director of Operations. Emlea Chanslor serves as Chief of Staff.
When does the Austin Water and Wastewater Commission meet?
The Commission generally meets on the third Wednesday of the month unless otherwise listed. The current Commission page lists meetings at 5:30 p.m. at Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th Street. Always check the posted agenda because dates, times and locations can change.
How can I speak at an Austin Water Commission meeting?
Check the current posted agenda for public-comment instructions. Recent 2026 agendas allowed in-person and remote telephone participation and required remote registration by noon on the day before the meeting. The Commission staff liaison is Vicky Addie at 512-972-0332 or vicky.addie@austintexas.gov.
Who has final authority over Austin Water rates and budgets?
The Water and Wastewater Commission is advisory. Austin City Council holds the City’s legislative and policy authority and adopts City budgets and related policy actions. Austin Water operates administratively within the City Manager structure.
How do I contact the Austin Water Director?
Official City memoranda list Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson at 512-972-0108 and shay.roalson@austintexas.gov. For routine billing or utility-account questions, use City of Austin Utilities Customer Care at 512-494-9400 instead.
Austin Water Is Led by the Director — Not the Advisory Commission
Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. runs Austin Water. The Water and Wastewater Commission reviews utility matters and advises City Council. City Council provides legislative and policy direction, while the City Manager administers City departments.