Over the past five years, Javier Esquivel, PE, a project manager for STV’s Water practice in San Antonio, has dedicated himself to the San Antonio chapter of the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT), first participating in events in 2019, before joining as a member and taking on a larger role as secretary in 2022, to just recently being named the chapter’s vice president.

For this three-year term, Esquivel will serve as WEAT San Antonio chapter vice president for one year, president for one year and past-president for his final year – providing him with ample opportunity to partner alongside other members who represent both the public and private sectors. Some of the San Antonio leadership include those from the San Antonio Water System.

“I want to build upon the success of past presidents by expanding existing events and exploring new initiatives,” Esquivel said.

What Esquivel values most about WEAT is how it “fosters a fun and collaborative environment” where members can work together on projects like charity events, park cleanups and social gatherings. These activities raise funds for scholarships and local charities, making WEAT a meaningful way to give back to the community. Additionally, Esquivel’s engagement with WEAT helps to strengthen STV’s presence within the local San Antonio community.

“A career in engineering offers many fulfilling aspects, but helping organize and lead community events stand out as a particularly enjoyable facet of our work,” Esquivel said. “Taking the lead in these events has been a blast.” 

Over the next three years, Esquivel aspires to pay it forward to the next generation of water industry professionals by establishing a WEAT student chapter at the University of Texas at San Antonio. “I believe this is a fantastic opportunity to introduce young and upcoming engineers to WEAT and the engineering profession,” he said. “By sparking students’ interest, I hope to ensure the continued growth and success of the organization.”