In this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses Prop 4 with Sarah Kirkle, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at the Texas Water Association, and Perry Fowler Executive Director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network.
Sarah Kirkle works with members of Texas Water Association to develop policy positions through TWA’s legislative committees and to subsequently advance those policy initiatives through education and advocacy at the Texas Legislature. Previously, Kirkle was at Texas 2036, where she was the director of policy and planning and focused on education, infrastructure, health, government performance, and natural resources policy. Kirkle also spent 13 years at the Sunset Advisory Commission, where she was a member of the agency’s executive management team and worked across most sectors of state government to make government work smaller and smarter.
Kirkle holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of North Texas and a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Tarleton State University. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys playing outside and attending festivals across small-town Texas.
Perry Fowler is the Executive Director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network (TXWIN) and Principal of Fowler Group Texas, LLC. With over two decades of experience in construction and infrastructure advocacy, he leads efforts to strengthen Texas’ water infrastructure through policy development, education, and collaboration. Fowler also represents Texas811, the statewide damage prevention organization, advocating for safe excavation and utility coordination.
Since founding TXWIN in 2013, Fowler has helped secure major legislative and funding initiatives, including the creation of the Texas Water Fund and key procurement reforms. He began his career with the Associated General Contractors of America, advancing national water infrastructure initiatives before returning to Texas to champion state and local infrastructure policy.