Board Members
Biographical Info
Bereket Derie, Ph.D, P.G., of Georgetown is a licensed professional geoscientist and principal geophysicist with Round Rock Geophysics, LLC. Prior to that, he was geophysics unit head with the Water Resources Department of the Government of Eritrea, geophysicist with AOA Geophysics and the geophysics department manager at Renewable Resource Consultants. He is a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, and the Austin Geological Society. Derie received a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Master of Science in Geophysics from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, a Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics from Loughborough University, UK, and a post graduate diploma in groundwater from Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. His term is set to expire on February 1, 2027.
Biographical Info
Margon Dillard of Richmond is a territory manager for Kedrion Biopharma. She is an advisory board member of the Texas Society of Health System Pharmacists, Wells Pharma, and American Health Packaging. She is a member of the National Pharmacy Purchasing Association and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Dillard attended Texas Southern University studying Biology and obtained a certification in Pharmacy Technology from the HCC Coleman College of Science. Her term is set to expire on Feb. 1, 2025.
Biographical Info
Steven Fleming, P.G. of Shavano Park is a licensed professional geoscientist and Director of Risk and Compliance for Talon LPE. He volunteers on the Water Advisory Board for the City of Shavano Park and with the Boy Scouts of America. Fleming received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Sul Ross State University and a Master of Science in Limnology from Baylor University. His term is set to expire on February 1, 2027.
Biographical Info
Edward F. Janak, Jr., P.G., of Fredericksburg is a Soil Scientist doing business as Edward F. Janak, Jr., CPSS. He is a past president of Professional Soil Scientists Association of Texas, and previously served on the national executive council of the American Society for Mining and Reclamation. Currently, he is the technical editor of the Soils of Mississippi Project for the Professional Soil Classifiers Association of Mississippi and a member of both the Texas Association of Professional Geoscientists and the Soil Society of America. He volunteers with 4H and Future Farmers of America. Janak received a Bachelor of Science in agronomy from Texas A&M University. His term is set to expire on February 1, 2025.
Biographical Info
Becky Johnson, P.G., of Fort Worth is a board certified Professional Geoscientist and Geologist, an Environmental Science Professor at Texas Christian University, and Consultant/Trainer with more than 26 years of experience. She is a founding member of the Society of Texas Environmental Professionals Sustainability Chapter, and a volunteer with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality EnviroMentor Program. She served for the last 10 years as past president/officer of Society of Texas Environmental Professionals. Johnson received a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master’s degree in environmental science and hydrogeology from Texas Christian University. Her term is set to expire on February 1, 2023.
Biographical Info
Mark N. Varhaug, P.G., C.P.G., of Dallas, has more than forty-five years’ experience in the practice of geoscience in the US and internationally. He is currently President of Beacon Hill Energy, an independent exploration firm in Dallas. He is a licensed Professional Geoscientist in Texas (#12433) and Louisiana (#952) and a member of the Division of Professional Affairs of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (CPG #6250). He is a member of the Geological Societies of Dallas, Houston, and West Texas, the Geological Society of America, and is a Life Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Varhaug received a Bachelor of Science in geology from Southern Methodist University. His term is set to expire on February 1, 2023.
Biographical Info
W. David Prescott II, P.G., of Amarillo is president of Talon/LPE, Ltd. a regional environmental consulting and environmental field services company located in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. He is a Board Member of the Amarillo Area Foundation, Amarillo Symphony and currently serves as the President of Boy Scouts of America Golden Spread Council. He currently serves as an advisor and mentor for the West Texas A&M University Enterprise Center. He is a past Board Member of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, Don Harrington Discovery Center, Texas Panhandle Chapter of the American Red Cross and West Texas A&M University Alumni Association. Prescott received a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and a Master of Business Administration from West Texas A&M University. His term is set to expire on February 1, 2025.
Biographical Info
Brandon Stowers of Austin is a Business Analyst with Emerson Automation Solutions, specializing as a Product Owner for the Digital Lifecycle Services team. Stowers received his Bachelors in Corporate Communications from Baylor University. His term is set to expire on February 1, 2023.
Biographical Info
LaFawn Thompson of New Braunfels is a truck driver for Dean Word Company, Ltd. Thompson graduated from Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California and earned a certificate of completion for Secretarial from the Dickinson Business School in San Antonio, TX. She was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force at the rank of Sergeant. Her term is set to expire on February 1, 2027.