Nueces River Authority Executive Director John Byrum, who has led the river authority as it takes on a large-scale seawater desalination project, will retire in October.
Byrum shared a Nueces River Authority news release announcing his retirement with the Caller-Times on Sept. 23. He will retire effective Oct. 31 after more than seven years leading the authority.
"Serving as Executive Director of the Nueces River Authority has been the highlight of my professional career," Byrum said in the news release. "I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished and grateful for the relationships I have built with our employees, communities, state agency partners, elected leaders and Board members. NRA has an outstanding team in place, and I am confident
in its ability to continue serving the people and communities of the Nueces Basin for years to come."
Last year, the Nueces River Authority secured a lease agreement with the Port of Corpus Christi for 31 acres of land on Harbor Island, taking over plans to develop a large seawater desalination facility.
Byrum led the authority as it worked to secure reservation agreements from interested municipalities and industry customers. The city of Corpus Christi paid $2. 7 million to reserve up to 50 million gallons of water per day from the plant.
This spring, the river authority Board of Directors investigated concerns about Byrum's leadership, including an allegation that he had presented inaccurate information to local leaders about the Harbor Island project. The river authority concluded after an external review that there was no evidence of "intentional wrongdoing" by Byrum or anyone else associated with the river authority.
According to the news release on Byrum's retirement, the Harbor Island project, referred to as the "New Water for Texas" project, "advanced through environmental permitting, completed key feasibility studies, initiated early engineering contracts, and secured a $7 million grant from the Texas Water Development Board" under Byrum's leadership.
The river authority is still seeking additional state or federal dollars for the project.
Also during this period, the river authority added planning and utility operations departments, completed the Leakey Wastewater Treatment Plant and advanced flood mitigation and environmental sustainability projects, according to the release.
“John has devoted himself to advancing the mission of the Nueces River Authority and serving the communities that depend on us,” Nueces River Authority Board of Directors President Eric Burnett said, according to the news release. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank him for his leadership and years of service. He has helped build a talented team and strengthen the organization’s ability to meet the water needs of the Nueces Basin. We wish him the very best in his next chapter."
Nueces River Authority Deputy Director John Chisholm will serve as interim executive director pending final action and selection of a permanent executive director by the board, according to the news release.
Olivia Garrett reports on education and community news in South Texas. Contact her at olivia.garrett@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Nueces River Authority leader John Byrum to retire
