Our People

It takes a lot of extraordinary people to make Waterloo Greenway an extraordinary park.

They’re champions of gnarled tree roots and curious waterfowl. Advocates of grass blades tangled in hair and sun-warmed benches. Staunch supporters of hip-shaking and head-bobbing and stewards of happy little giggles and big oohs and ahhs. They love everything that Waterloo Greenway is and will become. And they’re working hard to make sure that you love your park just as much.

Board of Directors

Jesús Aguirre, CEO
Tim LaFrey, Chair
Cotter Cunningham, Immediate Past Chair
Martha Smiley, Chair-Elect
Anne Smalling, Treasurer
Xavier Peña, Secretary

Hayden Brooks
Jamie Chandlee
Michelle Cline
Virginia Cumberbatch
Kira Dell
Bianca Garcia
Miguel Garza
Mary Hager
Caroline Haley
Alyssa James

Julie Jumonville
Ali Khataw
Lauren Moorman
Katie Naranjo
Elizabeth Rogers
Anne Smalling
Jim Susman
Marissa Tarleton
John Teinert
Roosevelt Weeks

Our Staff

Jesús Aguirre CEO
Jackson Amos Premium Seat Sales Coordinator
Melissa Ayala Director of Communications & Engagement
Stephanie Bergara Programming and Events Manager
Luis Calderon Event and Rental Coordinator
Emily Erickson Office Manager
Homer Gonzalez Senior Communications Coordinator
Sherri Goodman Director of Institutional Giving
John Griffin Box Office Coordinator
Adriane Horne Horticulture Supervisor
Elyssa Howard Senior Marketing Coordinator
JJ Langston Director of Development
Grace Kerstetter Moody Amphitheater Box Office Manager
Garrett Long Moody Amphitheater Assistant General Manager
Donald Miller Director of Programming & Events
Evelyn Nazro Chief Development Officer
Martin Nembhard Director of Park Operations
Laura Nowotny Development Associate
Don Partin Facilities Manager
Kelly Pierce Executive Assistant to the CEO and Board Liaison
John Rigdon Vice President of Projects and Planning
Marissa Rodriguez Capital Campaign Coordinator
Todd Ruff Senior Accountant
Erica Saenz Chief Operating Officer
Angela Scimeca Events & Sponsorships Specialist
Kevin Shaw Programming and Events Manager
Jared Stone Moody Amphitheater General Manager
Renee Welsh Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer Whitcomb Finance Director
Jon Windham Creative Lead
x Jesús Aguirre CEO

Jesús Aguirre joins Waterloo Greenway from the City of Seattle, where he has served as Superintendent of the Department of Parks and Recreation for almost six years. Aguirre brings more than 20 years of public service leadership experience in several major metropolitan jurisdictions, including Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., and Seattle.

After graduating from UT, Aguirre received a Master’s in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Prior to his work in Seattle, he served as director of the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation, where he oversaw more than $115 million in facility design, construction, and redevelopment efforts in the nation’s capital. In addition, Aguirre has also worked in the education sector, starting off as a middle school science teacher, and ultimately serving as the State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia. Aguirre and his wife co-founded and ran a nonprofit K-8 dual-language charter school in Phoenix for 10 years. He serves on the boards of the National Recreation and Park Association and Children and Nature Network, and is a member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

x Jackson Amos Premium Seat Sales Coordinator

Jackson assists with the day-to-day operations within Sponsorships and the Premium Seats Program at Waterloo Greenway. He previously worked at the University of Florida overseeing sponsorship activation across 9 sports. Jackson holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Sport Management from The University of Florida.

x Melissa Ayala Director of Communications & Engagement

Melissa engages the community in interactive initiatives designed to spark a diverse and inclusive dialogue on Waterloo Greenway planning and programs. She guides our advocacy efforts at City Hall and leads communications at Waterloo Greenway. A first-generation Texan Latina, Melissa spent five years at Capital Metro and was the transit organization’s first Spanish-speaking spokesperson. Melissa holds a B.J. in Journalism and Spanish from The University of Texas at Austin.

x Stephanie Bergara Programming and Events Manager

Stephanie Bergara is a native Austinite. She spent 10 years at the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department’s Music & Entertainment Division where she worked in artist and industry development. Her experience also includes serving as an Assistant Agent at boutique booking agency High Road Touring and Event Management at nationally acclaimed Public Relations Firm, Giant Noise.

A working musician herself with extensive experience in festival and event production, Stephanie has served in various roles at renowned festivals like Pachanga Latino Music Festival, Austin City Limits Festival, Lollapalooza and Chingona Fest Texas, where she is currently the Talent Director. Stephanie attended the University of Texas at San Antonio and majored in Political Science.

x Luis Calderon Event and Rental Coordinator
x Emily Erickson Office Manager

Emily keeps us from going up Waller Creek without the proverbial paddle by making sure our beautiful home base at Symphony Square runs flawlessly. This native Austinite came to us after working in the sustainable agriculture movement for over 10 years, most recently serving as president of the Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association. She previously worked at the SIMS Foundation, where she was instrumental in the formation of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Emily holds a degree in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia.

x Homer Gonzalez Senior Communications Coordinator

Homer amplifies the voice of Waterloo Greenway by sharing our organization’s efforts, successes, and needs through a variety of communication channels. Prior to joining our team, he was the social media manager and video editor at Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts in New Braunfels, TX. He also interned at the Texas Film Commission after graduating from Texas State University in 2014 with a B.A. in mass communication and electronic media.

x Sherri Goodman Director of Institutional Giving

Sherri, aka “the grant guru,” is the vital link between our organization and funding opportunities that align with the Waterloo Greenway mission and vision. She manages every step in the grant cycle, including crafting can’t-turn-down proposals, reporting, monitoring, and creating strong funder relationships. She came to us from Austin Habitat for Humanity, where she was Director of Grants and Contracts. Sherri holds a B.A.A.S in nonprofit studies from the University of North Texas.

x John Griffin Box Office Coordinator

John assists with the day-to-day box office and ticketing operations for the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. Prior to joining the Waterloo Greenway team, he was a marketing and booking intern for the former booking agency powerhouse, Margin Walker Presents. He also served as the Director of Topper Radio and Music Events Chair for the St. Edward’s University Programming Board, where he graduated with a BBA in Marketing.

x Adriane Horne Horticulture Supervisor

As Horticulture Supervisor at Waterloo Greenway, Adriane is responsible for managing and maintaining all the landscaping throughout the park. She comes to us from Austin Country Club where she was the Horticulturist for 8 years. With experience in many aspects of the landscape industry, from maintenance to nursery management, Adriane has a broad base of knowledge to help bring together the aesthetic and sustainability aspects of Waterloo Greenway. She holds a M.S. in Plant Sciences from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

x Elyssa Howard Senior Marketing Coordinator

Elyssa Howard implements and supports marketing plans for Waterloo Greenway programs and the Live Nation/C3 Presents concert series at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. Previously, she served as Marketing Coordinator for UT Austin’s Frank Erwin Center and the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, TX. Elyssa holds a B.S. in Business Marketing and Communications from Trinity University.

x JJ Langston Director of Development
x Grace Kerstetter Moody Amphitheater Box Office Manager

Grace Kerstetter manages the day-to-day box office and ticketing operations for the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. Previously, she served as a Concerts Ticketing Manager at C3 Presents/Live Nation. Grace holds a B.A. in Global Studies with an emphasis in International Business from St. Edward’s University.

x Garrett Long Moody Amphitheater Assistant General Manager

Garrett Long oversees all facility operations and maintenance at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. Previously, he served as the Event Operations Manager for the Las Vegas Raiders and as Event Logistics Manager and Motorsport Operations Coordinator at Circuit of the Americas. Garrett holds a B.S. in Sport Management from Texas A&M University.

x Donald Miller Director of Programming & Events

Donald designs and manages an astonishing array of public programs that are an open invitation for visitors to immerse themselves in Waterloo Greenway and each other. He honed the art of park-perfect gatherings as the event coordinator at Discovery Green, a 12-acre urban park in Houston, where he worked with hundreds of programming partners to present more than 700 public and private events a year. Donald holds a B.A. in communication and information sciences from The University of Alabama.

x Evelyn Nazro Chief Development Officer

Major gifts make a major difference to Waterloo Greenway — and it’s Evvie who ensures that we successfully identify, cultivate, and honor them. This long-time Austinite has worked as a professional fundraiser for local Austin nonprofits, such as El Buen Samaritano, KIPP Austin, and Foundation Communities. She also spent nine years at Public Strategies, where she managed strategic communications and outreach for nonprofit organizations and corporations. She began her career working for Vice President Al Gore in Washington, D.C. Evvie holds a B.A. in history from Vanderbilt University.

x Martin Nembhard Director of Park Operations

As Director of Park Operations at Waterloo Greenway, Martin is responsible for establishing and maintaining the daily upkeep standards for our marvelous destinations. Originally from Jamaica, Martin has spent the past 14 years leading operations at well-esteemed urban parks. He was manager of Bryant Park and then VP of Operations at the High Line in NYC before moving to Florida to head up operations for Miami-Dade County’s Parks Department. Martin holds a Masters in Urban Planning from Hunter College, CUNY.

x Laura Nowotny Development Associate
x Don Partin Facilities Manager
x Kelly Pierce Executive Assistant to the CEO and Board Liaison

Kelly empowers our CEO, board, and committees to focus on transformation instead of administration and coordination. Before becoming an indispensable part of our team, she was expanding our city’s trailheads of learning as a development assistant at The University of Texas Libraries. She was also an associate teacher at Success Academy Charter Schools in New York. Kelly holds a B.A. in journalism and mass communications from the University of South Carolina.

x John Rigdon Vice President of Projects and Planning

John is at the helm of Waterloo Greenway capital project, skillfully weaving together the efforts of the project managers, the City of Austin, and the design team. With roots in sustainable city planning and community engagement, he has provided forward-looking solutions to a vast array of project management, design, and programming challenges across his career. John earned an M.S. in community and regional planning from The University of Texas at Austin.

x Marissa Rodriguez Capital Campaign Coordinator
x Todd Ruff Senior Accountant
x Erica Saenz Chief Operating Officer

As COO of Waterloo Greenway, Erica Saenz plays a crucial role in building our organizational infrastructure and executing our strategic plan. Previously, she served as Associate VP for Assessment and Strategic Planning and Associate VP for Community and External Relations at The University of Texas at Austin. Board and service commitments include the Community Advancement Network, Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, I Live Here I Give Here, The Hispanic Alliance, The Long Center for the Performing Arts and the Texas Exes Alumni Association. Erica holds a BA from UT-Austin and an MFA from UCLA.

x Angela Scimeca Events & Sponsorships Specialist
x Kevin Shaw Programming and Events Manager

Kevin plays a key role in creating and producing high-quality public programming at Waterloo Greenway. He comes from a rich history of producing creative cultural events in Austin for First Night Austin, the City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division, and the Weird Homes Tour among other organizations. Kevin is a certified Project Management Professional and holds a BA in art history from the University of Texas at Austin.

x Jared Stone Moody Amphitheater General Manager

Jared Stone oversees all management and business operations for the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park, ensuring the venue and all related matters operate at the highest standards. Previously, Jared served as the General Manager at North Waterfront Park Amphitheater in Wilmington, North Carolina. He has a strong background in business operations, entertainment management, and event production. Jared holds a B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University.

x Renee Welsh Chief Financial Officer
x Jennifer Whitcomb Finance Director
x Jon Windham Creative Lead

Jon brings to life Waterloo Greenway for diverse audiences, with compelling visuals that make a powerful, action-driving impression. A long-time creative director and artist, he was a design and production lead at Big Medium, an Austin arts-based nonprofit. His deep involvement in our local and visual arts communities aligns with his passion for building a park that will offer so many people an abundance of cultural joy. He holds an A.A.S from the Art Institute of Colorado.