Board Members – 2026

Raina Brown
President

Raina has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is currently a Project Engineer and has 12+ years of experience in fixed equipment, inspection, and business analyst roles in the oil and gas field.

Raina has had a heart for community service and giving back throughout her life. She has collaborated with many noteworthy organizations and causes over the years, ranging from homeless/hunger relief, cancer relief, waste management, and disaster relief, to education empowerment.

Looking to combine her love for volunteering, engineering, traveling, and learning about various cultures, Raina joined the EWB-Central Houston Chapter in 2019 and, subsequently, the chapter’s Kimaut Kenya Water Project.

Brandon Huggett
Vice President – Development

Brandon graduated in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Louisiana State University. He works at a local consultant firm as a graduate water resources engineer with interests in stormwater modeling and management, floodplain risks, and green infrastructure.

Brandon enjoys opportunities of community service with causes including fundraising/volunteering for local children’s hospitals, rebuilding homes, education opportunities, and STEM fairs. Seeking opportunities to get involved, Brandon joined EWB-Central Houston Chapter in Spring 2023 and subsequently joined the Kimaut Kenya Water Project.

Terry Applegate
Vice President – Projects

Terry is a retired IT professional from ConocoPhillips. He has BS/MS degrees in Industrial Engineering from Kansas State University and is a licensed PE in Oklahoma.

He has been actively involved in the Central Houston Professional EWB chapter since 2007. He has served as Fundraising Chairman, Treasurer, President, University Liaison, and QA/Training Lead. He currently works with the Kenya, Philippines, and Peru projects. He also provides mentoring to the University of Houston, Prairie View A&M, and soon to be UT- Rio Grande Valley student chapters.

In addition to his EWB activities, he is also involved in several church related ministries, serves as a STEM resource for his grandsons’ Cub Scout Pack, and enjoys outdoor hikes with his wife, Debora.

Laura Lucio
Secretary

Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Her passion for community service led her through a unique career journey, from caregiving for the elderly and adults with disabilities to working as a substitute teacher.

Looking to transition back into engineering while making an impact beyond her local community, she joined the EWB-Central Houston Chapter in Fall 2024 and has been actively involved with the Kimaut Kenya Water Project.

Joshua Kinnaird
Treasurer

Josh holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Baylor University. He is currently a Mechanical Engineer with 10 years experience providing Continuous Improvement, Technical Training and Presentations, Engineering Sales, and Product Development.  

Josh has been involved in mission and community service throughout his life.  He has served communities in the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua.  Josh sought out the EWB-Central Houston Chapter in 2023, to use his aptitudes to help others once again.

Wanting to give back to his local Houston community, Josh has been contributing to Hershe Street Garden project.

Programs Coordinator
Open Position

Position responsibilities: Keep track of programs & projects associated with the chapter and to relay needs and report on progress to the Executive Board. This person also represents the project team leads with the Executive Board and addresses their needs.

Inquiries for this position may contact president@ewbhouston.org.

Aviral Jain
Volunteer Coordinator

Aviral holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Rice University. He brings over 18 years of experience in engineering and product management across the petrochemical, energy, and tech industries.

Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his family and working on engineering and construction projects with his son.

Aviral is passionate about serving the global community and using engineering as a tool for positive impact. He is especially interested in sustainable energy and infrastructure projects that are grounded in community needs. He joined the EWB-Central Houston Chapter in 2024.

Daniel Walker
QA / Training Program Chair

Position responsibilities: Finding updated guidance on EWB-USA national website to keep our chapter projects in line with their requirements. Finds relevant training that members may be interested in.  

Tanner Blackard
Fundraising Chair

Tanner works at Air Liquide in a rotational engineering program supporting hydrogen production and pipeline operations.

Tanner joined the EWB-Central Houston Chapter in 2024, looking for a hands-on way to use engineering to support communities and learn directly from the people a project is built for. He supports the Kimaut Kenya Water Project, helping to plan and execute field work responsibly and consistently with EWB-USA safety expectations.

Outside of the EWB-Central Houston Chapter, he mentors students through Minds Matter Houston. He cares most about building dependable partnerships and systems that keep projects safe, well organized, and sustainable for the long run.

Outreach Chair
Open Position

Position responsibilities: Getting EWB’s name out there at local events and attracting new members.  

Responsible for attending Monthly Board Meetings (virtual) and Monthly Chapter Meetings (virtual).

Inquiries for this position may contact president@ewbhouston.org.

Ruth Vanhaverbeke
Communications Chair

Webmaster
Open Position

Position responsibilities: Responsible for updating the Chapter’s website with meeting dates and board member changes. Responsible for attending Monthly Board Meetings (virtual).

Inquiries for this position may contact president@ewbhouston.org.

University Liaison
Open Position

Position responsibilities: Establish and maintain communications and cooperation with the student chapters with which the professional chapter has affiliations, including the coordination of student project professional mentors. The University Liaison shall be the official point of contact for student chapters.

Responsible for attending Monthly Board Meetings (virtual).

Inquiries for this position may contact president@ewbhouston.org.