Meadows Center Gets New Chief Water Policy Officer

With the TWDB, Mace led a department of 70 scientists, engineers and specialists dedicated to better understanding groundwater and surface water resources.

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS– Robert Mace, a senior scientist and deputy executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), will join The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University.

With more than 20 years of experience at the highest levels of state government, Mace is one of the most respected water professionals in Texas.

“We are very fortunate to have convinced Robert to take a leading role in our organization here at Texas State University,” Sansom said. “He has a keen understanding of both water policy and water science and he has served as Texas’ senior water conservation official. I know he will be missed at TWDB, but his presence at The Meadows Center will strengthen our relationship with that important agency.”

With the TWDB, Mace led a department of 70 scientists, engineers and specialists dedicated to better understanding groundwater and surface water resources. Prior to joining the TWDB in 1999, he worked for the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin for almost nine years as a hydrologist and research scientist.

“I was attracted by The Meadows Center’s mission to inspire research and leadership that ensure clean water for the environment and all humanity,” Mace said. “I look forward to helping further develop and strengthen policy-related research for water in Texas.”

Mace has authored or coauthored more than 200 reports, papers and abstracts, and given more than 200 speeches on water. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geophysics, a master’s in hydrology and a doctorate in hydrogeology.

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University was named following a generous gift from The Meadows Foundation in August 2012. The Meadows Center inspires research, innovation and leadership that ensures clean, abundant water for the environment and all humanity, and is led by Executive Director Andrew Sansom, Ph.D.