Each year, the North Houston Association is proud to recognize individuals, organizations, and projects that are making a meaningful difference in our region. At this year’s annual awards event, we honored contributions that are improving quality of life, protecting the environment, and shaping long-term infrastructure planning for north Houston.
Here’s a look at this year’s honorees:
The Compass Award is given to NHA members who have made a significant contribution to NHA’s programs and projects. This year’s recipients took on a groundbreaking project: leading the creation of NHA’s first-ever Strategic Flood Reduction Priorities document.
For years, the Association has published a Strategic Mobility Plan (SMP – P now standing for priorities). In 2024, we expanded our focus to include a companion document centered on flood mitigation. The goal of both is to educate key stakeholders and advocate for projects that will improve quality of life throughout our region.
We were thrilled to recognize Alan Black, P.E., Mike Reedy, P.E., and Chuck Wolf P.E., for their leadership in bringing this new advocacy tool to life. All three generously volunteered their time and expertise to get this first edition off the ground and although Mike and Chuck couldn’t join us at the event, their colleagues from Freese & Nichols were there to represent them.
Our Environmental Impact Award honors a project, company, or individual making a lasting contribution to environmental preservation and resilience in our region. This year, we proudly recognized Harris County Precinct 3 for its ambitious and community-focused Parks and Trails Master Plan.
This comprehensive plan is a standout for many reasons:
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It spans over 555 square miles of service area
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Involved six public engagement meetings and outreach to dozens of local organizations
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Proposes more than 200 miles of new trails and hundreds of acres of floodplain preservation
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Includes four flagship parks and three new community centers
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Demonstrates strong coordination with regional, state, and federal partners to help secure funding for key infrastructure and flood mitigation features
The result is a plan that does more than just provide parks and trails, it helps reduce flood risk and brings people closer to nature and each other. It’s a major win for residents and for future generations.
Eric Heppen, P.E., Director of Engineering for Harris County Precinct 3, accepted the award on behalf of the team. We thank them for their leadership and for setting a new standard in environmental planning and public engagement.
Click Image Above to View Harris County Pct. 3’s Parks & Trails Master Plan
The North Star Award, our highest individual honor, is given recognizing a person who has made a long-term, transformative impact on the region. This year’s recipient, Ed Shackelford, P.E., has been helping shape north Houston for more than three decades.
Ed’s connection to NHA goes back to the early 1990s, when he worked for Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole, leading capital improvement initiatives. He quickly became a trusted voice on NHA’s Transportation and Water Committees, and his influence only grew, with Ed become NHA’s Board Chair from 2022-2024.
Over the years, Ed has taken on a wide range of leadership roles that have left a lasting mark on our region. He was the first General Manager of the North Harris County Regional Water Authority and also served with the Harris County Flood Control District. His expertise in water policy led him to serve on both the Executive and Policy Committees for the Texas Water Association. He’s also played a key role in the Association of Water Board Directors, contributing to both its Advisory Council and Program Committee. In addition to his public service, Ed has spent time in the private sector as a consultant, where he managed major infrastructure projects and led business development efforts.
Today, he serves as Director of Operations for the San Jacinto River Authority, overseeing vital public water systems and services across the region. His deep institutional knowledge, steady leadership, and lifelong commitment to improving our infrastructure make him a true North Star for our community.
We are proud to recognize Ed Shackelford as the 2024 North Star Award recipient.
