Membership
Therese M. Baer, PE, has 25 years' experience in civil and environmental engineering. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (Environmental Option) from Rice University (Class of 1979), where she attended on full academic scholarship. At Rice, Therese was a National Society of Professional Engineers scholar and a student member of TSPE.
Professional and Technical Society Activities
Therese is an active and participating member of TSPE, ASCE, SAME, and SWE. She is a past president of the Travis Chapter TSPE and has served as the chapter's chaplain and Annual Children's Christmas Party committee chairman for the past ten years. In 2005, Travis Chapter TSPE named Therese Engineer-of-the-Year. Therese continues to promote and sponsor frequent continuing education programs for professional engineers in government and private practice. She also participates in educational programs to encourage children to excel in math and science as well as other career development activities for young engineers-to-be.
Engineering and Career Achievements
Therese has had a diversity of experience in the public and private sectors. Through employment in local and state government, industry, and private practice, she has developed a strong background for solving problems within a regulated community and has a significant appreciation of the regulated versus the regulator perspectives. Her colleagues and the public have recognized her work throughout her career. She was the youngest presenter at the Kansas Water Pollution Control Association's 1984 State conference for her work in rehabilitation of publicly-owned treatment works. She was also the subject of the feature technology section of the Kansas City Corporate Report magazine wherein she was described as possessing "thriftiness, along with innovation and creativity" in her management of funds for public works projects. Since that time, Therese has managed many diverse types of projects in the Midwestern and Southern states.
In 1992, Therese founded Baer Engineering and Environmental Consulting, Inc. At Baer Engineering, she serves as principal engineer on a variety of civil and environmental projects and as the company's chief executive officer. She also serves as a mentor in Baer Engineering's highly successful Student Intern Program.
Civic, Humanitarian, and Social Activities
Committed to public service, she served as a formal advisor to the Texas Water Commission for development of rules to implement the Texas Groundwater Protection Act and as a member of the City of Austin's Environmental Board for development of watershed protection ordinances. Therese currently serves as a member of the TCEQ's Small Business Assistance Program Advisory Group, the TCEQ's EnviroMentor program, the Texas Association of Business' Environmental and Legislative Committee, and the Governor's Texas On-site Wastewater Treatment Research Council.
Therese is a member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, where she taught Sunday school for ten years. She has two grown step-daughters, Jennifer and Kristen, and a more recent addition, 3-year-old Lucas.