Mission
Dedicating time and energy to research, project evaluation, and community awareness.
Sustainability Institute
Presents
Professional Lecture Series
The UTA Fort Worth Center Sustainability Institute presents The Professional Lecture Series. The Lecture Series is a platform for sustainability leaders to offer their expertise to individuals interested in the real-world application of sustainability.
Seating is limited - contact Mike Wollman at mwollman@uta.edu for more information and to RSVP
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
5:30-7:00pm
Fort Worth Center
Dr. Doug Wiersig
Dr. Wiersig is Director of Transportation and Public Works for the City of Forth Worth - starting this position in April 2011. The Department is comprised of 8 major delivery divisions spanning roadway, storm water, facility and environmental infrastructure systems. Functional activities span all elements of planning, capital delivery, operations and maintenance.
Prior to joining the City of Fort Worth, Dr. Wiersig was Transportation Programs Manager for Jacobs Engineering in their Houston, Texas office. In addition to this role, he had the opportunity to support various Program Management, Alternative Delivery Methods, LEAN Program Analysis and Business Development across other business sectors of Jacobs involving Building Systems, Oil & Gas and International Agencies.
Recent major project activity has included:
- Development of Alternative Delivery Model for implementation of the £3 billion Hard Shoulder Running - Managed Motorway Program for England's Highways Agency.
- Program Manager for Transportation Management actions associated with the $3 billion rehabilitation and ongoing operation of the BP Texas City Refineries.
- Traffic Quality Assurance Manager for $1.4 billion SH - 130 Toll Road project in Austin, Texas, and
- Traffic/Planning Manager for the $3.2 billion I - 635 Managed Lane Tollway project in Dallas, Texas.
Previous work engagements have included:
- City Traffic Engineer and Assistant Director in the Public Works and Engineering Department for the City of Houston
- Executive Director of Houston TranStar - Houston's Regional Transportation and Emergency Management Center
- Director of Transportation for Cobb County, Georgia
- Assistant Director, City of Dallas Department of Transportation; and
- Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington.
Dr. Wiersig earned his Doctorate of Philosophy with an emphasis in Transportation Engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and studied for his Master's and Bachelor's Degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and University of Nevada at Reno respectively.
Dr. Wiersig is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
Douglas Wiersig, Ph.D., P.E.
Director of Transportation and Public Works, City of Fort Worth
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
5:30-7:00pm
Fort Worth Center
Nicolas Ramon
Nicolas Ramon is the Senior Management Analyst for Region VI in the Fort Worth Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Region VI encompasses the five states of Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Mr. Ramon assists in the management operations for the collocated Fort Worth Field Office. As the Senior Management Analyst Nick assists in implementing Secretarial Initiatives and coordinating the effective delivery of the Department's services. Some of his duties include: coordination of regional management action plans and Agency Priority Goals; Sustainability Initiative Officer; ARRA Program reporting; and representing the Regional Administrator as needed.
Nick began his career in the early 1970s working in management positions in community-based non-profit organizations in the area of housing and community development. He has also served in management positions in units of local government working in planning and community development. Nick served as an adjunct professor teaching "local government problem" at the University of Texas - Brownsville. He joined HUD in September 1998 working in the San Antonio Field Office. In July of 2000, Mr. Ramon accepted the position in the Dallas Field Office where he worked until October 2003 when he accepted a position in the Fort Worth Regional Office. Mr. Ramon holds a Bachelor's degree from Pan American University of Edinburg, Texas, and a Master's degree in Urban Studies from Trinity University of San Antonio Texas. In 1998, Mr. Ramon participated in the Executive Management Training at John F. Kennedy School of Government Harvard University.
During his tenure with HUD, Mr. Ramon has served in various positions in the Department, such as Acting Field Office Director for the Dallas Field Office during various occasions. He has also served as the Regional Faith Based and Homeless Coordinator. He also coordinated the Interagency Council on Homelessness that included more than ten federal agencies in addressing the issues of homelessness in Region VI. Mr. Ramon was instrumental in creating a working partnerships among federal, state, and local governments and industry partners in the expansion of affordable housing and economic development opportunities. He coordinates cross-program events and performs community outreach activities, as needed. He frequently represents the Regional Administrator in various capacities. Nick served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970. He is married to Maria Del Rosario and has three beautiful daughters.
Nicolas Ramon, Jr., Senior Management Analyst
U.S.Department of Housing & Urban Development
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
5:30-7:00pm
Fort Worth Center
John Lovenburg
John Lovenburg joined BNSF Railway in September 2011 as vice president, Environmental. In this role, he leads a team of environmental employees from the Operations and Law departments and is responsible for environmental strategy and communication, sustainability, permitting and compliance, remediation and emergency response, environmental litigation, and public policy leadership. He reports jointly to Greg Fox, executive vice president, Operations, and Roger Nober, executive vice president, Law and Secretary.
Lovenburg has more than 20 years of experience in environmental consulting with CH2M HILL, a global engineering, construction, operations and project management company serving public and private sector clients. He served most recently as vice president and director, Global Site Remediation and Revitalization.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in geology, University of California Santa Barbara
- Masters of Science in hydrogeology, California State University San Diego
Personal
John and his wife, Renee, have a son and daughter.
BNSF
BNSF Railway is one of North America's leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,000 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain, industrial goods and low-sulfur coal that help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. And we are working continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.bnsf.com.
John Lovenburg, Vice President
Environmental, BNSF Railway
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Noon - 1:30pm
Fort Worth Center
Speaker to be announced at a later date.
