

I’m proud to share some exciting news that’s a testament to the culture we’ve all helped shape here at PCI. We were recently recognized as the 2024 Employer of the Year by WTS-San Antonio Region Chapter, an honor that highlights our commitment to empowering professionals, fostering diversity, and creating pathways for leadership in the transportation sector. WTS is an international organization dedicated to building the future of transportation through the advancement of women. This is the second time PCI has received the award (2020 and 2024). Being selected by their San Antonio chapter speaks volumes about the inclusive, supportive environment we strive to uphold every day.
This recognition reflects more than just our policies: it reflects you. From our survey crews to our environmental scientists, from technical staff to leadership, it’s the people behind the work that make PCI a place where careers grow and where excellence thrives. Thank you for being part of what makes this such a great place to work.
As we continue to grow, we’re putting that same energy into expanding our office space. Plans are already in motion to expand our offices across the breezeway, allowing for more collaborative workspace, updated meeting areas, and room for our growing team. This expansion is not just about square footage…it’s about building the infrastructure for our next chapter. Development of this new space is still underway and updates will be sent out firmwide as we approach the official move-in date.
Of course, growth comes with its challenges, which sometimes require change. As we all know: change is hard. One of those changes that impacted all of us was the transition to MyTech. While the initial transition was a bit rough, we are now stable enough to take the next step forward with the migration to the new server. You should see improved performance with the new server. Over the next several weeks, we will continue to see smaller incremental changes and improvement. I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and patience as we continue with the transition.
On a lighter note, San Antonio’s most vibrant time of year is here. Fiesta!
Whether you’re heading out for NIOSA, the Battle of Flowers Parade, or just enjoying time with family and friends, we hope you get a chance to celebrate the spirit of our city. As always, please be mindful of your safety and the safety of those around you during the festivities.
Thank you for everything you do to make PCI exceptional. Let’s celebrate our wins, support each other through the slowdowns, and enjoy this colorful season together.
Don’t wait for the quarterly PCI Newsletter to be updated on current events. Be sure to join our 700+ followers on LinkedIn and Facebook for the most recent updates!
Mario Arredondo — Jan. 1
Jeff Suarez — Jan. 14
Robert Elizondo — Jan. 14
Tamara Rodriguez — Jan. 14
Sadey Cox — Jan. 27
Leigh Darilek — Jan. 27
Alex Marquez — Feb. 1
Elissa Garza — Feb. 7
Hugo Tzintzun — Feb. 13
Fredrick Lopez — Feb. 27
Fernando Camarillo — Mar. 1
Lena Camarillo — Mar. 1
Rick Arias — Mar. 2
Travis Sterne — Mar. 17
Joseph Baggett — Mar. 28
*Years of Service are calculated as
January
Lena Camarillo — 17 yrs
Chris Dayton — 1 yr
Fernando Camarillo — 23 yrs
Marilu Lobato — 11 yrs
Jackie Lopez — 11 yrs
Rebecca Chavez — 7 yrs
Travis Sterne — 1 yr
Warren Brown — 8 yrs
Robert Elizondo — 3 yrs
Alphonse joined PCI's Survey team as its newest SUE Technician, supporting the field crews, as needed. He has a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a master's in Environmental Engineering from the University of Padua. He is originally from the Republic of Cameroon and now lives in Seguin, TX. We're happy to have you, Alphonse!!
Kyle joined PCI's Survey Team as its newest Party Chief. Kyle brings surveying experience with municpal, transportation, and land development projects from across the country, including from Florida, Lousiana, Californi, and Tennesee. He majored in Process Technology while attending Lee College in Baytown, TX. Welcome to PCI, Kyle!
JOSEPH BAGGETT, SIT SURVEYOR-IN-TRAINING
Joseph (Joey) joined PCI's Survey team as its latest Surveyorin-Training. Joey brings diverse surveying experience from across Texas and recently passed the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying and PS Surveying exams. He's planning to take his Texas State Specific Exam later this year. Joey currently resides in Baytown, TX where he'll be working remotes but visiting the San Antonio office every 4-5 weeks. We are lucky to have you, Joey, and wish you the best on your professional endeavors!
Albino (Bino) joined PCI's Survey team as its newest Survey Coordinator/Senior Survey Technician. Bino brings extensive experience in surveying and has his associate's degree in Land Surveying Technology and Geomatics from Austin Community College. As Survey Coordinator, he will initially focus on coordinating office surveying production tasks, QAQC, and training other survey techs. In Bino's free time, he enjoys spending time on the lake, taking his jet ski out on the water, and playing basketball, softball and poker with friends. We're happy to have you as part of the team, Bino!
Hind joined PCI's Engineering team as their first graduate engineer! Hind recently graduated from Texas A&M International University in Laredo with her bachelor's in petroleum engineering. Already, Hind has done amazing becoming part of the Engineering team, bringing her passion for design to our projects. In Hind's free time, she enjoys live music, hiking and other outdoor activities, traveling and spending time with family and friends. We're happy to have you part of the team, Hind!
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Huge kudos to Will Long for his work on the Basura Bash. It was an awesome event to take part in, and I really enjoyed being there with the team. Will did an amazing job organizing this for us.
- Leigh Darilek
Congratulations, Andrew! Andrew has become newly TxDOT Pre-Certified! At the time of this newsletter publication, he earned the following pre-certifications:
• 4.2.1 Roadway Design
• 11.7.1 Construction Schedule Support Relating to Scheduling of Roadway Design
• 18.4.1 Utility Engineering
“I would like to give huge kudos to Jackie for stepping up and helping me finalize all of my environmental review records while I was on vacation! Despite the client’s last-minute requests after we’d been waiting on them for months, Jackie ensured everything was ready to go. I truly appreciate her dedication and hard work during a time when I had limited access to my computer. Thanks so much, Jackie!
- Kailey Van Skiver
Congratulations, Coleton!! In early April, Coleton passed his PE exam! Next steps include applying for the license. We're keeping our fingers crossed for this next big step in your professional journey, Coleton! Hint: when that happens, be ready to update your professional headshot! �� lol
Have some kudos to give to a colleague? Send your letter to amarquez@pozcam.com to have it featured on our next issue!
By Alex Marquez Technical Editor
Tucked behind every successful road realignment, bridge expansion, or community infrastructure project, there’s always a team quietly doing critical work long before ground is ever broken. One of those teams is Environmental—and their impact stretches far beyond permits and paperwork. Whether it’s surveying for archeological resources, consulting with regulatory agencies, or preparing the complex environmental documentation required to move a project forward, PCI’s Environmental Department
plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Texas infrastructure with an eye on sustainability and stewardship.
So how does environmental consultation play a role in the work we do? VP of Environmental, Jackie says "Environmental documentation and compliance are integral to PCI services." Her environmental team ensures that our clients' projects meet all applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations, no matter how they're funded. This helps clients (and projects) stay on time and within budget. But their work is more than just navigating red tape. It's about making informed, responsible decisions that balance progress
with protection. From National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assessments and Section 404 permitting to endangered species analyses and cultural resource investigations, the environmental team provides clients with a clear path through a maze of environmental requirements to help them make planning, design, and/or construction-phase decisions that can avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to the human and natural environment.
The Environmental team has embraced cutting-edge technology to elevate their work. Jackie implemented the use of Monday.com, an online platform that streamlines project management, including
progress tracking, schedule management, and real-time collaboration. "With mobile and desktop access, our team stays connected no matter where we are," she says. Additionally, her team stays organized through the use of Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and checklists. They've also expanded the use of their Geographic Information Systems (GIS) processes.
GIS allows for sophisticated mapping and impact analysis.
Travis Sterne is currently developing an automated GIS mapping tool in ArcGIS Pro using Python Notebooks and Sadey Cox is leading development of an ArcGIS online map, displaying the location and details of all active and previously completed environmental projects.
"This will serve as a powerful reference tool showcasing PCI's environmental experience geographically," Jackie says.
Carolina Garcia also developed a maco-enabled spreadsheet that streamlines the formatting of property owner information for mailouts and right-of-entry letters, effectively reducing manual formatting time.
But what truly powers the department is its people.
Lena Camarillo founded the Environmental department in
2008 where for several years, it was sustained by a "small but mighty team" providing both environmental and public involvement services. In the years since, public involvement was strategically separated into its own department, allowing both teams to grow and expand their services.
Since 2023, Carolina, Chris Travis, Kelsey, Sadey, and Spencer joined the existing team comprised of Jackie, Lena, Warren and Kailey.
The entire team is composed of professionals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing a unique lens to the table.
"Chris and Spencer specialize in archeological resources. Warren focuses on geology and hazardous materials. Travis brings expertise in water and biological resources, while Carolina leads our traffic noise efforts," Jackie explains, "Meanwhile, Kailey and I focus on the big picture—overseeing environmental compliance across entire projects."
This diversity fuels their ability to tackle complex problems from multiple angles, offering
practical, creative solutions for every challenge they encounter. "It's this diversity that makes our department so effective," Jackie explains, "We collaborate constantly, tap into each other's strengths, and provide clients with a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to environmental compliance."
They've developed their reputation across the State, as well. "Today, we're recognized as a trusted consultant for NEPA services on HUD-funded, TxDOT, and municipal projects," Jackie says, "What began as a close-knit team supporting a handful of core clients has grown—through word-of-mouth and consistently high-quality work—into a statewide network of partnerships and projects."
The scope of environmental work often means that those outside the field may not realize all that it encompasses.
"'Environmental' isn’t just one thing," Jackie says, "It spans a wide range of resource areas, including air quality, traffic noise, hazardous materials,
water resources, threatened and endangered species, community impacts, and historic and cultural resources, just to name a few."
The unique needs of different projects will mean that each one will have different requirements. According to Jackie, depending on the job, you can have between one to 40 environmental specialists on the team, each working behind the scenes to help get a project environmentally cleared. As she points out, TxDOT alone has 18 different environmental pre-certification categories they require.
That's a lot of experts to coordinate with. This is where your Environmental task lead comes in. "On TxDOT projects, this is the person listed under the 2.14.1 precertification
What began as a close-knit team supporting a handful of core clients has — through word-of-mouth and consistently highquality work — into a statewide network of partnerships and projects.
- Jackie Lopez
category," Jackie says, "This person is responsible for keeping tabs on all the environmental team members - the biologists, archeologists, noise analysts, etc. - and making sure everything is coordinated and on track."
Your Environmental task lead
Warren measuring a solution cavity for the US 281 Comal Co. project
“is your best resource in all things environmentallyrelated. As Jackie advises, reaching out to them early and ofen ensures the project stays on track while all needs are met.
Efforts to keep projects on track and within budget from an environmental standpoint do not come without their own challenges. As a discipline that requires some field work throughout Texas like surveying, it's unsurprising that Texas weather and local fauna play a role in how smoothly field work will go.
"From scorching heat to cold snaps and surprise encounters with wildlife, doing fieldwork here always keeps you on your toes," Jackie says, "And trying to ID vegetation during winter dormancy? Not easy!"
The indoor work can be a challenge too. The documentation and reporting that comes with environmental compliance often means that some heavy writing can be expected. "My technical writing classes in college were definitely time well spent!" Jackie exclaims.
However, what can perhaps be the most critical to a project's success is the level of involvement that the environmental team is given during project development, especially as it relates to communication. Since environmental work is often just one part of a larger project, "we rely heavily on coordination with our prime consultants and engineering project managers," Jackie says.
According to Jackie, when communication breaks down, two major issues arise: being left out of the loop and playing the game of telephone.
"Environmental tasks can fall on the critical path," she says, "so delays can have ripple effects." By keeping the environmental task lead informed, project tasks can typically keep moving smoothly, reducing delays to the schedule. Additionally, the "game of telephone" can cause issues. "Environmental language is precise...some terms have legal definitions that have been debated in court for decades. When someone tries to paraphrase us or reword our findings,..., it can unintentionally change the meaning and cause serious issues," she warns. Furthermore, regulations frequently change through policy or executive order, resulting in new definitions or new requirements. As a result, environmental staff have to stay current and adaptable to these ongoing "regulatory shifts." When it comes to environmental assumptions and language, consequently, it's best to rely on your environmental task lead and keep them in the loop.
The Environmental Department has recently supported a range of impactful projects, including several ongoing on-call
contracts.
Despite the size of their department, they currently have 72 active projects across the state of Texas. Here in San Antonio, they hold two on-call contracts with the City: one with the Public Works Department supporting capital improvement projects that includes 19 current active task orders, and the other with the Grants Monitoring and Administration Division, where they support development projects like single- and multifamily housing.
TxDOT is another major client, including the San Antonio District, where the environmental team is providing ongoing services to projects like FM 3351, US 281 South, US 57, and SH 97. They are also leading the environmental efforts for project's within TxDOT's Austin, Bryan, Fort Worth, Houston, Odessa, Pharr, San Angelo, and Yoakum districts.
In addition to their work with TxDOT and the City of San Antonio, they enjooy partnering with local governments and
municipalities. "We're currently conducting environmental studies for a wide range of local clients, including Bexar County, Camino Real RMA, the cities of Dallas, El Paso, New Braunfels, and Seguin," Jackie says, "as well as Comal, Dallas, El Paso, and Guadalupe Counties."
In each case, the department continues to deliver results with a blend of technical excellence and regulatory insight.
As PCI continues to grow, the Environmental team stands ready to support its mission with integrity and innovation. Their work is a testament to the idea that development and environmental stewardship don’t have to be at odds—they can, in fact, go hand in hand. From safeguarding sensitive ecosystems to ensuring that cultural histories are honored, PCI’s Environmental Department is not just helping projects move forward—they’re ensuring they move forward the right way.
By Jackie Lopez VP of Environmental
As part of our ongoing work with Comal County, PCI is providing engineering, surveying, and environmental services for the planned widening of Blanco Road from the Comal/Bexar County line to SH 46. This includes evaluating a potential realignment of the southern section of the roadway through two largely undeveloped parcels. To proactively manage the risks and optimize project planning, Comal County requested an early archeological assessment of these parcels to identify any potential archeological or environmental constraints before advancing into detailed
design. PCI’s archeological team, led by Dr. Chris Dayton, with field and reporting efforts from Spencer Foster and Travis Sterne, conducted surveys between December 2024 and February 2025.
During the investigation, PCI recorded its first two archeological sites, marking a substantial milestone for our team! These sites included
prehistoric surface artifacts including three precontact lithic tools*, five lithic flakes, four pieces of burned limestone, and a stone projectile point. (See pictures to the right) These discoveries contribute to the broader archeological record, becoming the 454th and 455th formally recorded sites in Comal County. While the sites were ultimately recommended not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) (pending final concurrence from the Texas Historical Commission), this effort underscores PCI’s commitment to thorough environmental and cultural resource evaluations as part of responsible project planning. We appreciate the collaboration of Comal County and our dedicated team in ensuring that all potential constraints are carefully assessed early in the process, supporting efficient and informed project development.
Artifacts made of stone by Native Americans prior to European contact.
By Alex Marquez Technical Editor
Now that we’ve settled into our new open-layout corporate space, we’ve begun to familiarize ourselves with employee habits. One habit worth noting is the tendency to eat at your desk. For years, there’s been a lingering mindset in workplaces everywhere that working through lunch somehow reflects greater dedication or work ethic, a mindset further reinforced by those “Daily Routines of CEOs” articles. We know that there are times when the job demands that you work through lunch, but at PCI, we want to chip away at that outdated view as much as possible and emphasize to our employees the importance of stepping away. In fact, did you know that taking a real lunch
break can actually make you more productive?
Downside of Eating at Your Desk
Working continuously at your desk comes with several adverse impacts on both your physical and mental well-being. The work we do is important, whether your work is more technical or creative. If you work through lunch, you’re giving yourself limited opportunities to mentally rest throughout the day. This can lead to burnout, increased stress, and, over time, reduced productivity. Impacts on your physical health can also include poor posture, muscle atrophy, and even unhealthy eating habits. By not taking a mindful lunch, you’re brain will not process that you’ve enjoyed a filling meal. As a result, there’s an increased risk of overeating or unhealthy snacking when distracted by work. Although
we provide standing desks, it’s imperative for your physical health that you take time to walk as well. Restricting your body movements to simply sitting or standing can atrophy your under-utilized muscles, such as those you’d use to walk longer distances or climb stairs.
Taking your lunch away from your workstation provides several benefits:
1. Boosts Mental Clarity and Focus — A real break helps your mind recharge, improving problem-solving and creativity when you return.
2. Promotes Physical Health — Moving to a new space reduces strain from sitting or standing too long and helps you stay mindful of healthy eating.
3. Encourages Social Connection — Sharing a meal with coworkers or simply being in a different environment fosters camaraderie and reduces workplace stress.
4. Increases Productivity — Returning to work with renewed energy makes you more effective and efficient for the rest of the day.
» Go outside or take a walk to get fresh air.
» Eat in the breakroom to connect with coworkers. Better yet, plan a lunch outing together occasionally and hold each other accountable to it.
» Bring a book, listen to music, or meditate to relax.
» Plan ahead: Prep your meals or choose quick options so you can focus on enjoying the break.
» Set a timer or reminder on your phone to ensure you take your lunch away from your desk.
» Click here for some more ideas!
It is important that you prioritize your lunch breaks for both your physical and mental well-being. We want you to view your lunch break as an important tool for self-care and productivity, not as wasted time. Remember, the work will still be there when you get back, but you’ll be better equipped to tackle it. We save PDFs, not lives, here!
PCI is currently looking for hard working individuals to fill several positions. If you know of any qualified candidates, please have them apply on our website and notify Beto to anticipate their resume. Below are the current open positions:
• Drainage Design Engineer
• Survey Technician
• Survey Field Technician
To view detailed job descriptions on the PCI website, go to pozcam.com/jobs Learn about our Employee Referral Program on page 40.
Several of our extended PCI family saw major accomplishments this quarter, including Dr. Hugo's son, Hugo and Jackie's daughter, Brooklyn. Congratulations to both families for these amazing achievements!
Hugo won second place for the category of Medicine and Health Junior in the ARASE Science and Engineering Fair Regional Finals! (above) He and his team of classmates also completed in the Aerial Drone Competition South Central and won first place in the Middle School category. They will particiate in the National Competition later in April. Congrats, Hugo!!
Like his older sisters, Hugo also sings. He won second place singing "El Mariachi" in the Harmony South Texas District Festival of Arts, competing against participants from Laredo, Houston, and San Antonio,. Congratulations!!
For another big win in the PCI extended family, Brooklyn Lopez, daughter of Jackie Lopez, recently competed at the Level 7 State Gymnastics Meet in Lubbock, Texas – and absolutely crushed it! Brooklyn earned three gold medals, taking home titles as the Overall State Champion, State Bars Champion, and State Beam Champion. Her team also placed 3rd overall, representing New Braunfels! Up next, Brooklyn will be representing Team Texas at Regionals in Wichita, KA this month! Congratulations, Brooklyn!
• 1st – All Around
• 2nd – Floor (9.5)
• 4th – Vault (9.275) Brooklyn's Rankings:
• 1st – Bars (9.725)
• 1st – Beam (9.55)
In early March, Isaiah De Leon, Diamond Rios, John Mendoza, and Kailey Van Skiver ran the Alamo Half Marathon! They each completed the 13.1 track downtown, finishing between 1:45 - 2:11. Congratulations, runners!!
Leigh Darilek received Honorable Mention in the Architecture/Design/Still Life category for the annual Mobile Photo Awards! See results here!
a community meeting for residents relating to
In late March, Leigh participated in a Terry Foundation Interview Panel with five other Terry Scholar alumni where they interviewed 30 TX highschool students for a shot at earning a four-year scholarship to Texas State University. As an annual volunteer and former scholarship recipient, this was her 19th panel and 15 of the interviewees were selected! Leigh is improving communities everyday!!
In late March, Carlos Camarillo hosted the 8th annual BBQ Cook-off in honor of Victoria Camarillo. Categories included Brisket, Pork Ribs, Chicken, Iron Chef, and Grand Champion, with PCI's own Fernando Camarillo, Beto Camarillo, Jr., and Reynaldo Reyna taking home trophies. Pictured above-left are Victoria's high school teachers with her memorial bench. ��
In early March, PCI sponsored and hosted the Basura Bash clean up at the Leon Creek Buddy Calk Trailhead. Thank you to all our PCI volunteers for coming out with friends and family to help clean up San Antonio's local waterways! Special shoutout to William Long for leading these efforts!
PCI's SH 35 at SH 361 project was featured in SMPS San Antonio Chapter's January Newsletter. You can find the rest of the newsletter, as well as previous publications, here!
The Engineering department having a team lunch and welcoming Hind to PCI!
In early April, PCI hosted a fun event at Popstroke for all employees to kick off the Fiesta season. Employees were able to enjoy food, drinks, and a competitive round of mini-golf with Yeti products as the top prizes. Winners were Fernando/Marilu, William, and Andrew. Congratulations!
PCI was awarded Employer of the Year by the WTS - San Antonio Region Chapter during their annual Gala in early April. This award is a reflection of our firm's commitment to building and sustaining an including, thriving workplace for all. Women make up a significant portion of our staffing, making up nearly half of our leadership. Everyday, we're proud to support, empower, and elevate the women in our transportation industry!
PCI was a proud sponsor of this year's San Antonio Fiesta Bike Parade! On Saturday, April 19th, bicyclists across the city completed a five-mile circuit through downtown and Center City, kicking off the first of many Fiesta events to come! Thank you to Will for staffing our PCI tent at this event and for all who attended!
The Texas District of ITE (TexITE) awarded the City of San Antonio's Transportation Department the 2025 Transportation Achievement Award for Planning for their use of "technology to engage residents and design bicycle facilities" in the passing of the Bike Network Plan. PCI supported the City's efforts in developing the Bike Network Plan by providing public involvement services, including pop-up events and public meetings. Much of this effort was led by PCI's William Long, pictured above when the City approved the plan in February.
As mentioned in our prior Letters from the COO and Career Opportunities section, we are taking measures to help fill current vacancies. We encourage employees to take advantage of PCI’s Employee Referral Program, an extended benefit to current PCI employees.
Through this program, an employee can receive a referral bonus if they refer a qualified candidate who is subsequently hired and successfully completes one year of employment. To be eligible for the bonus, please provide Carolina Campbell the name of the candidate you are referring for the position.
In addition to the monetary incentive to our employees, our Employee Referral Program also ensures:
• Improvements to our quality of hires.
• Increase in new employee retention.
• Improvement to employee moral.
• Improving the company cultural fit of new hires, thereby reducing turnover. Any questions on this program, or other recruitment efforts, can be directed to Beto.