ASCE Texas Section Staff

Jenni Peters, CAE

Executive Director

Jenni Peters is the Executive Director of ASCE Texas Section. In this full-time role, she is devoted to the advancement of the civil engineering profession, the leadership of the Section, and passionate about growing the engagement and membership of the Section’s 15 Branches. She regularly works with the Section’s leaders on the Board of Direction and Executive Committee to implement the strategic plan and ensure the Section continues to be one of the most active sections within ASCE.

Jenni’s responsibilities include:

Supporting activities resulting in the budgeting, planning and execution of the annual Texas Civil Engineering Conference (CECON) and the annual Student Symposium;
Identifying, reviewing, and developing non-dues related revenue sources;
Providing key communication and coordinating with the Local Branches, Student Chapters and Committees;
Establishing and strengthening partnerships with Texas state agencies;
Providing key communication and coordination between the Texas Section, Region 6, and Global ASCE;
Promoting Texas Section and Branches initiatives;
Representing the Texas Section before other Professional and Governmental bodies inclusive of the State Legislature;
Ensuring the Texas Section provides nominations for ASCE National and Regional Awards and programs;
Communicating established ASCE policy to the media and the public;
Promoting membership growth and retention within ASCE; and
Managing the Section office.

More About Jenni

Before joining the ASCE Texas Section team, Jenni has worked with associations for more than 10 years, and before that in the for-profit world, more than 15 years focused on marketing, sponsorship, and event promotion in mostly the telecommunications industry, also dabbling in personalized license plates (MyPlates.com). Fulfilling a goal set in college to return to the community service sector, her career led her back to her alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, where she began her work with non-profits/associations, coordinating membership for an international higher education trade association. It was with his amazing, passionate staff team that she decided to take the leap into making association management her new career path, which lead to a move to managing marketing, membership, and communications for a statewide pharmacy society.

“In getting to know the ASCE Texas Section members and our colleagues within the civil engineering industry, I continue to be inspired and humbled to be a part in helping them build a better quality life for our communities,” said Jenni. “I am honored to lead the Section as we further engage and grow our amazing membership community.”

Jenni graduated with a BS in Sociology and Communications from UT Austin and has earned her CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation. She also “earned her ears” completing two semesters in the Disney College Program, as well as earning Disney Institute’s Approach to Leadership Excellence Certificate and completing their Leadership Essentials: Collaboration course.

She is a native Texan, growing up in the Houston area as an Astros and Oilers fan (you cannot beat a baby blue oil rig). As a Texas Ex Life Member, she will forever bleed orange. Jenni is also a life member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed community service organization. Jenni, her husband Jonny, and their daughter June (the JPs as they call themselves) are avid Disney fans and try to vacation at either Land or World at least once a year.

“The most impactful ideas come from informal conversations. I encourage all members to reach out with suggestions and hurdles you are currently facing in your professional activities. You never know where your ASCE community can make a difference and offer assistance.” – Jenni

Melissa Reed

Operations Coordinator

Melissa’s responsibilities include:

Data collection, entry, and dissemination of local association contacts
Regularly reviewing membership data and preparing monthly reports
Assessing information requirements; creating and modifying forms and reports; and refining the end-user experiences of data and reference materials tailored to multiple stakeholders
Planning, scheduling, and executing virtual meetings and monthly webinars
Coordination with the local Branches, Institute Chapters, Student Chapters, and Committees
Assisting in the planning of Board of Direction and Executive Committee meetings
Assisting ASCE regional members (volunteers) during the planning and execution of annual Student Symposium
Assisting in management of accounts receivable, accounts payable, and general ledger
Assisting in preparing annual tax returns, annual reports, and periodic audits

More about Melissa

A proud native of Fort Worth, Texas, Melissa has always valued strong community ties and southern hospitality. While attending The University of Texas at Austin, she discovered both her passion for people and her love for the city she calls home. Melissa brings an extensive background in client relations and hospitality to her newest professional chapter. With a career that has spanned hotels, resorts, country clubs, and (her personal favorite) theme parks, she has built a reputation for delivering exceptional service experiences in a variety of dynamic environments.

Now embarking on an exciting new path in the association industry, Melisa looks forward to bringing her enthusiasm for learning, relationship-building, and service excellence to her role. She thrives in collaborative environments and is always eager to connect with others and take on new challenges.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, typically watching the Longhorns or Cowboys! She and her husband, Chris, stay busy with their daughter, Josie, and their three dogs: Corbin, Sergeant, and Hercules.

Kim Garcia

Marketing Communications Coordinator

Kim’s responsibilities include:

Establishing and maintaining communications vehicles, including key association messages, news announcements, press releases, eNewsletters, and articles in trade publications;
Designing print and web communications materials, including programs, brochures, signage, banners, social media graphics, and other marketing graphics
Promoting key events, including the Student Symposium, Texas Civil Engineering Conference (CECON), webinars, and leadership training across all print and web communication channels
Copy editing, designing, and managing the publication of the Texas Civil Engineer quarterly magazine;
Creating, maintaining, and communicating brand standards for association and CECON;
Creating and updating website pages, event and registration pages, and advertisements;
Promoting association members and leadership through all communication channels;
Developing campaign content for use on website, in eNewsletters, and social media;
Supporting Conference Planning Committee, including planning meetings, creating and managing email campaigns, social media, advertisements, trade show materials, and promotional items.

More About Kim

Kim joined ASCE Texas Section in September 2023 as the new marketing and communication specialist. She is a creative, attention-to-detail person who has experience running content in all digital aspects. Starting right before CECON has been quite the challenge, but she enjoyed meeting members and learning more about their roles in TexASCE or in their own personal lives.

Prior to joining ASCE Texas Section, she was a Social Media Coordinator and Content Marketer. She studied abroad in France from 2021 to 2022 and graduated from EDHEC Business School with a master’s degree in marketing management. In 2020, she graduated from St. Edward’s University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. As a native Austinite, she returned home after missing her hometown and her family.

Kim is an avid sports watcher and her favorite teams are Austin FC, Dallas Cowboys, and the Texas Longhorns football team! She enjoys trying new food and recreating the recipe while listening to music. She likes to run in local 5k races and go on trails with her family.

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