Meet the candidates for the Tarrant Regional Water District board of directors
The Tarrant Regional Water District manages the region’s water resources and the Trinity Trail System. The TRWD’s service area encompasses 11 counties and it provides water to over 30 wholesale customers, including the cities of Fort Worth, Arlington and Mansfield.
The organization also manages the area’s floodways, including the Central City Flood Control Project, which would create new bypass channels that are an integral part of future Panther Island development.
Four candidates are running for three seats. Voters may select none, one, two or three candidates.
Candidate responses are verbatim and have not been edited for spelling, grammar or clarity.
Skylar O’Neal
Age: 38
Campaign Website: https://www.skylaroneal.com/
Best way for voters to reach you: info@skylaroneal.com
Occupation: Investing
Education: TCU
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): no
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth. I serve on the TCU Ralph Lowe Energy Institute Advisory Board. I also serve on the board of the Fort Worth Opera, on the vestry at Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, on the Junior Activities Committee for the Fort Worth Club and Tournament Committee for the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: no
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: no
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Coalition for the Fort, myself, Larry & Patti Brogdon
Why are you seeking this office? I understand how critical TRWD is to Tarrant County’s success and am committed to strategically stewarding our water resources. Our future depends on a secure, well-managed water supply.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be? Clean, safe, and affordable water supply
Strategic & forward-thinking economic development
Fiscal responsibility and a lower property tax rate
How will you measure your success as a TRWD board member? By the end of my term, I will measure my success by the below:
- Progress on Key Infrastructure Projects
- Strengthened Conservation Efforts
- Stronger Partnerships & Communication
- Higher Public Trust and Engagement
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? As a principal of Summit Cove Investments, L.P., I manage the day-to-day operations and collaborate with executive management of the organization’s partners and affiliates in order to maximize value for all stakeholders. My experience enables me to effectively communicate and make fiscally responsible decisions that drive growth while protecting vital resources. Serving on the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute board has reinforced my dedication to resource management and exploring innovative and sustainable solutions. I’m ready to bring this commitment to the TRWD Board.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Tarrant Regional Water District? If elected, how do you plan to address it? Balancing water management with rapid population growth is essential for Tarrant County’s future. TRWD must take a proactive approach to ensure a reliable water supply while maintaining fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
Conservation will remain a key strategy. Promoting efficient water use through education and updated infrastructure can delay the need for costly large-scale projects. Still, with DFW’s population projected to double by 2060, we must plan for expanded sources. Investing in reservoirs, reuse technologies, and enhanced storage will be critical.
TRWD should continue collaborating with regional and state partners to develop long-term solutions. Strengthening relationships with municipalities, industry leaders, and policymakers will help secure resources and support.
By combining smart planning, conservation, and innovation, TRWD can meet rising demand while protecting our water future. Open communication with the community will be vital to building trust
What is your vision for Panther Island? We need to move forward and make the necessary decisions to complete the flood control portion of the project to ensure success surrounding economic development. I have not lost hope surrounding federal grants and federal participation. By leveraging our relationships with state and federal representatives and being more intentional in the pursuit of public/private partnership I am confident we can stay on track.
Johnathan Killebrew
Age: 43
Campaign Website: www.KillebrewTRWD.com
Best way for voters to reach you: johnathan@killebrewtrwd.com
Occupation: Building Official and Owner of Metro Code, LLC
Education: Bachelors of Science Degree from Utah Valley University
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth. I currently serve on the Development Advisory Committee of the City of Fort Worth and the School Board of Fort Worth Academy. I am first councilor in the Bishopric at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am vice chairman of the Examination Committee for Sustainability with the International Code Committee and I am an Ambassador for the State of Texas for Energy through SPEER.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No (other than lower misdemeanors for speeding when I was younger)
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: No, but I have served as an expert witness in several cases and given depositions.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Myself, TREPAC (Texas Realtors PAC), Rebecca Gutierrez, James Rodriguez
Why are you seeking this office? I believe that I can help serve the community by lending my unique experience and education to the board in order to help ensure that we have adequate clean water supply to our growing population. I believe that my skills and knowledge will help ensure that we prevent flooding and protect the citizens and their property rights.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be? First, the district’s top priority is providing clean, dependable water to our growing region. I will support the completion of the Integrated Pipeline (IPL) project to meet increasing demand.
Second, flood control is a critical service of TRWD. I will work to ensure the Panther Island flood control project project remains on track, safeguarding downtown Fort Worth and enhancing economic development.
Third, protecting the tax payers money and resources. Transparency is key to ensuring the public trust and providing clear and accessible financial information is crucial to the success of the TRWD.
How will you measure your success as a TRWD board member? The projects and goals of the Board are measured in 10-30 year projects. The measure of success will be in how we prepared and supported the projects that will ensure the districts top priority, which is to provide clean, dependable water to the growing population.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? I have a deep understanding of how efficiency standards have been implemented to help support a utility system that is facing growing demands. I bring my knowledge of being a Master Code Professional and certified in all trades (Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Energy, Fire) to the board to understand how we are going to approach the development of new and reliable water resources.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Tarrant Regional Water District? If elected, how do you plan to address it? I believe the current challenge that TRWD is facing is the channel that is required to be built to provide flood control around Panther Island. The delay in starting the project and the lack of funding are hurdles that will need to be addressed this year. TRWD has the funding to start the channel and therefore should proceed with the construction. I will ensure that the project moves forward and work with the Federal and State stakeholders to ensure the additional funding is provided.
What is your vision for Panther Island? Panther Island is such a great opportunity for our City to unite the Downtown and Stockyards area and bring so much growth to our City. We are a region of over a million people and we can support more downtown businesses and entertainment. Ultimately, as a board member, my priority will be to ensure that development has that opportunity by providing the flood control and water resources.
Leah King
Age: 56
Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/leahkingcampaign
Best way for voters to reach you:
If campaign related – leahkingcampaign@gmail.com
If Water District related – TRWDboard_lk@trwd.com
Occupation: I have served as a director on the TRWD board for the past eight years; the last four, elected by my colleagues, as board president.
Professionally, I serve as President of the JPS Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the JPS Health Network as a regional and national leader in providing transformational healthcare services.
Education: Some college
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): I have served as a director on the TRWD board for the past eight years; the last four, elected by my colleagues, as board president.
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth. In addition to my position with the JPS Foundation and TRWD, I serve as a board member at the Fort Worth Club. I am a member of the Fort Worth (TX) Chapter of the Links, Inc. I also serve on the President’s Advisory Council for Texas Wesleyan University.
Since 2020, I have been named by Fort Worth Magazine as one of the Top 400 of Fort Worth’s Most Influential People. I was also recognized with the 2022 Opal Lee Trailblazer Award by Unity Unlimited, Inc.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: I have not been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding as a private citizen, however, in my elected capacity I was named in a civil lawsuit, along with two of my fellow board members. The meritless case against the three board members was dismissed in May 2023.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
- Rehab Warriors PBC
- Cantey Hanger, LLP
- Kelly Hart PAC
Why are you seeking this office? I have a strong passion for this community and securing a long-term and sustainable water supply is critical for our quality of life and future success. I believe my leadership and organizational skills continue to be a great fit for this critical position. Priority number one is ensuring the District remains squarely focused on its core mission of water supply and flood control. Secondarily, maintaining the Board’s focus on organizational transparency and fiscal responsibility is equally as important as focusing the District on its core competencies. Working with fellow Board members to maintain these priorities requires ongoing communication, debate, public input and understanding of the responsibility of Board members of TRWD.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
- Providing a long-term, sustainable and affordable water supply for the district
- Flood control
- Conservation
How will you measure your success as a TRWD board member? Are we sticking to our core principles?
Are we delivering results?
Are we being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
I am proud of my service on the TRWD Board for the past eight years, serving in times of calm and turmoil. The District, with the Board’s leadership and guidance, has made extraordinary progress in squaring its focus on its core mission. I am running for re-election to build on the progress that has been made, and to continue to push the agency’s focus, time, energy and resources on the mission of water supply and flood control.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? I have a proven record of delivering results on the board. During my tenure, the District is the first agency in the state to be awarded six Transparency Stars by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Created in March 2016, the Transparency Stars program recognizes cities, counties, school districts and special purpose districts making important strides toward greater government transparency. Organizations that receive these awards exemplify the highest standard of financial transparency and governmental accountability in the State of Texas. Also, during my tenure, the Board adopted clear Board Governance Policies, strengthened Board Employee Standards of Conduct and Code of Ethics and enhanced the Board Public Information Policy.
We’ve also maintained a competitive tax rate, secured more than $420 million dollars toward the Central City Flood Control project and continue to foster strong partnerships, such as the transformative IPL (Integrated Pipeline Project) with Dallas Water Utilities. This groundbreaking project will support delivery of roughly 350 million gallons of water per day through a system that includes 150 miles of pipeline connected through a series of pump stations that will ultimately provide vital water resources to millions of residents across North Texas.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Tarrant Regional Water District? If elected, how do you plan to address it? Water supply demands are a challenge largely due to the booming population growth. Focusing on this issue must remain a priority of the Board to ensure our local economy continues to thrive. We need to be able to maintain our quality-of-life standards while attracting and retaining industry. The other challenge, related to flood control, is completing the Central City project and identifying current and potentially new revenue sources to complete the project in a realistic timeframe.
What is your vision for Panther Island? My vision is to ensure that the ultimate plan is delivered upon; providing the more than 2,400 acres of Fort Worth neighborhoods with much-needed flood protection. The current levee system is inadequate to protect these neighborhoods, which includes roughly 7,200 homes and almost 1,000 businesses. Completion of this project is of critical importance to protect our community.
Andrew Brinker
Age: 46
Campaign Website: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrew-Brinker-2
Best way for voters to reach you: email or stop by the confluence downtown.
Occupation: FWISD Science Teacher and TCC Biology Professor
Education: BS Zoology from Michigan State and MS in Biology from TCU
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years) No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth. My civic involvement in Fort Worth centers on education, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. As a professor at Tarrant County College and a high school teacher in FWISD, I’ve partnered with TRWD, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Trinity River Authority to bring hands-on environmental education to local students.
Since 2017, I’ve led research on Trinity River ecology and water quality, involving students in biodiversity surveys and conservation projects. I also participate in community outreach events to promote sustainability and public awareness of local water issues. These efforts reflect my commitment to serving Fort Worth through science-based education and environmental advocacy.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Who are your top three campaign contributors? I don’t take contributions or donations
Why are you seeking this office? I am seeking a position on the TRWD Board of Directors because I believe the board would benefit from the perspective of a biologist with direct, field-based experience in water quality and biodiversity research. For years, I have studied the ecological health of the Trinity River and surrounding water systems in Tarrant County. I hope to contribute my scientific expertise to support the responsible, sustainable management of our water resources across the region served by TRWD. I think this photo gallery from my TCC Biology Lab last week will help provide more insight into why I am running: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-09xjhr0SHK0rnM3_oahM5GHkDSx-0j9?usp=drive_link
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be? Water Quality and Conservation – Ensuring clean, sustainable water through science-based management and public education.
Ecological Stewardship – Protecting and enhancing local biodiversity through responsible development and wetland restoration projects thereby ensuring the health and quality of our water resources.
Community Engagement and Education – Expanding outreach programs that connect the public, especially students, to water issues and conservation efforts to foster long-term stewardship.
How will you measure your success as a TRWD board member? I will measure my success as a TRWD Board Member by the extent to which my expertise contributes meaningful, science-based insights that inform decisions and lead to positive outcomes for our water resources. Success will be reflected in initiatives—such as expanded education programs or the integration of habitat considerations into project planning—that may not have occurred without my presence on the board.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? Voters should choose me because I bring a unique and complementary perspective to the TRWD Board—one grounded in science and direct field experience. While the current board includes professionals with expertise in real estate and business management, my background as a biologist and educator adds a critical voice focused on water quality, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. My experience conducting hands-on research and community-based education ensures that scientific insight and sustainability are central to the board’s decision-making process.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Tarrant Regional Water District? If elected, how do you plan to address it? The most significant challenge facing the Tarrant Regional Water District is meeting the increasing demand for water as the region’s population continues to grow rapidly—while also maintaining high water quality standards. Population growth brings with it a corresponding rise in both point source and non-point source pollution, placing additional strain on our water systems.
If elected, I plan to address these challenges through a science-based, ecological approach. I strongly support projects like the Cedar Creek and Richland-Chambers wetlands, which utilize natural filtration to improve water quality. I also believe that restoring and maintaining healthy, functioning ecosystems—particularly in urban sections of the Trinity River—will play a critical role in sustaining clean, reliable water for our communities. My background in biology and field research positions me to bring informed, science-driven solutions to the board’s decision-making process.
What is your vision for Panther Island? My vision for Panther Island is a well-balanced development that integrates new businesses, housing, and recreational opportunities while preserving the ecological integrity of the Trinity River. As Fort Worth continues to grow, this area has the potential to become a vibrant hub in the heart of the city—accessible, scenic, and community-focused.
Equally important is maintaining a healthy river ecosystem. Based on my research, we know which native species are likely to recolonize the area post-construction, and these considerations must guide planning decisions. With a science-based approach, we can ensure the river remains clean, clear, and rich in wildlife—much like its healthier stretches outside the urban core.
Without thoughtful ecological oversight, the risk of pollution, algal blooms, and degraded water quality increases. Panther Island should serve as a model for sustainable urban development, where environmental health and economic vitality go hand in hand.
