July, August, and September Issue - 2024


Zarzamora st. overpass project receives environmental clearance after years of planning Department highlight - surveying q3 photo contest pci happenings
July, August, and September Issue - 2024
Zarzamora st. overpass project receives environmental clearance after years of planning Department highlight - surveying q3 photo contest pci happenings
Over the past few weeks, many of you participated in our Employee Engagement Survey, administered by Generational Consulting Group. I’d like to take a moment to thank each of you for your time and input. The purpose of this survey was to gauge the overall engagement levels within our organization, as well as gather feedback on what we’re doing right, what we need to start doing, and what might be better left behind as we move forward.
As part of this initiative, our leadership team also completed additional assessments that explored our financial, market, leadership, and competitive standing, ensuring we are holding ourselves accountable to the same high standards we expect across the company. These assessments and surveys are key steps as we collectively re-evaluate our firm’s goals and strategies in light of the rapid growth we’ve experienced this year.
From the start of 2024 until today, our company has seen an impressive 50% growth in staffing—a remarkable achievement that highlights both our momentum and the challenges we face as we scale. With this level of growth, it is crucial that we revisit our long-term goals and ensure our strategies align with the next phase of our evolution.
Our leadership team is currently in the process of determining a 3-year outlook for the firm, focusing on three key areas going into our working sessions:
• Market Opportunities - We were awarded $52 million in new contracts, a testament to the trust our clients have in our work and our ability to deliver. This success fuels our expansion plans and strengthens our position in the market.
• Office Expansion - As many of you are aware, our San Antonio office has quickly filled its cubicles. To address this need for space, we are exploring options to expand within our current building and create more space for collaboration, growth, and innovation.
• Staffing - As mentioned earlier, our staffing has grown by 50% this year alone. With this growth comes the need to adapt and ensure that we are building an infrastructure to support and nurture our talented team as we grow further.
As we move forward, it is important that we work together as one team to achieve these ambitious goals. Our motto, “Improving Communities Together, One Project at a Time,” remains our guiding principle. We are not only building projects; we are building futures—for ourselves, for our clients, and for the communities we serve. In that regard, we are also amid the election season. We always encourage civic participation and strongly recommend visiting an early voting location to cast your ballot. Early voting begins Oct. 21st in Texas, and your county voting site will list available locations where you can do so. For our San Antonio residents, we want to inform you that there are several propositions on the ballot that will impact us for several years to come. Proposition C is especially significant as it relates to our firm, as it eliminates term limits and salary caps to our City Manager. For those who are not aware, San Antonio’s City Manager is the individual responsible for maintaining the infrastructure — including transportation — for the City of San Antonio. They are hired, not elected, and essentially serve as the CEO to the City. As our most significant municipal client, it is in the best interest of our firm and all of San Antonio that only the best are considered for this important role. Eliminating these barriers would encourage the most highly qualified candidates in the industry to pursue this role without limitations on term limits and salary, giving San Antonio a competitive edge in the market. As a result, we ask that our San Antonio residents do their research on these significant propositions before casting their vote. To find out more about this and other propositions in San Antonio, visit: CommunityImpact.com
Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication. Together, we are shaping the future of our company, and I am excited to see what we will accomplish next.
Don’t wait for the quarterly PCI Newsletter to be updated on current events. Be sure to join our 500+ followers on LinkedIn and Facebook for the most recent updates!
Jeff Hall — Jul. 1
Tere Reyna — Jul. 4
Spencer Foster — Jul. 5
Melany Moreno — Jul. 7
Lianna Ybarra — Jul. 17
Vladimir Serkov — Jul. 28
Carolina Campbell — Aug. 8
Beto Camarillo, Jr. — Aug. 10
Rainey Martin — Aug. 10
Chris Dayton — Aug. 26
Mike Morales — Aug. 27
Jake Fite — Aug. 29
Amanda Ponce — Sept. 6
Jennifer Conger — Sept. 7
Reynaldo Reyna — Sept. 8
Carolina Garcia — Sept. 15
Phil Nolan — Sept. 18
Rebecca Chavez — Sept. 22
Mario Puente — Sept. 24
William Long — Sept. 28
Marilu Lobato — Sept. 30
*Years of Service are calculated as a cumulative total.
Tere Reyna — 33 years
Rick Arias — 15 years
William Long — 3 years
Coleton Cornish — 1 year
Alex Marquez — 3 years
Fredrick Lopez — 1 year
Bill Miller — 4 years
Carolina joined PCI's Operations Department as a Human Resources Generalist. She brings extensive HR experience from her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Universidad Del Norte in Columbia, her master's degree in Human Resource Management from Florida International University, and her work as HR Business Partner at Food for the Poor. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family (especially her baby girl), as well as familiarizing herself with San Antonio as a transplant from New York City, and traveling, exercising, and cooking. Welcome to PCI, Carolina!
Marin joined PCI's Public Involvement Department as a public involvement specialist. She brings her expertise in outreach with her bachelor's degree in Human Dimensions of Organizations through UT at Austin and her public relations work with Say My Name PR+Digital. She'll be operating primarily out of the Round Rock workspace but we look forward to seeing her on occasion through company events. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, binge-watching GRRM's shows (hint: Winter is Coming!), and taking Polaroid pictures! We're happy to have you, Marin!
Leigh joined PCI's Public Involvement Department as a public involvement specialist. She previously worked with USAA and CPS Energy, bringing extensive experience with strategic task management, client service, and content creation from larger organizations. In her free time, Leigh enjoys photography, traveling, cycling, and win. She loves animals, having adopted several pets she had intended to just foster. We look forward to seeing all the great things Leigh will bring to the team!
Kristina joined PCI's Engineering Department as their new Director. She brings over 18 years of experience in design and construction management, having previously worked for KCI Technologies. She has worked extensively for the City of San Antonio, completing several Bond projects and has, from day one, demonstrated her strong client relationships and team dedication, ensuring project resources are allocated to ensure successful submittal. We look forward to all the good things your leadership will bring, Kristina!
VICE PRESIDENT OF ENGINEERING
Rob joined PCI's Engineering Department as their new VP of Engineering. Rob brings over 35 years of experience in engineering and leadership. He formerly served as the Director of Public Infrastructure for the Harris County Commissioner and his project experience includes schematic, PS&E, and construction management with a variety of clients throughout Texas. Despite starting at PCI a couple of months ago, Rob has hit the ground running, demonstrating his leadership and business development capabilities. In his free time, he enjoys photography, golfing, and crafting sandcastles. We're are excited to have you, Rob!
Sevrin joined PCI's Surveying Department as its latest survey field technician. He is a graduate of both Frank L. Madla Early College High School and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Relatively new to the industry, Sevrin brings a fresh perspective and eagerness to learn while working out in the field. In his free time, he enjoys drawing and reading. Welcome to PCI, Sevrin!
Sadey joined PCI's Environmental Department as an environmental specialist. As a recent graduate from Texas A&M (woohoo!) Corpus Christi with a bachelor's in Environmental Science, she brings a new perspective and coastal experience to our team. She formerly interned at the Port of Corpus Christi where she supported coordination of the Environmental Management System internal audit, conducted facility inspections, and gathered data on endangered species. In her free time, she loves going to the beach, attending concerts, cooking/baking, and crafting. We're happy to have you, Sadey!
ENVIRONMENTAL
Kelsey joined PCI's Environmental Department as an environmental planner. In addition to her Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho, Dr. Kelsey brings a wealth of expertise as a former Program Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture where she managed federally-funded initiatives. Additionally, she has supported the next generation of STEM professionals by serving as a professor of biology and related courses at the University of the Incarnate Word and Our Lady of the Lake University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and exploring new places around San Antonio and Austin. Welcome to PCI, Kelsey!
Jennifer joined PCI's Public Involvement Department as a public involvement specialist. With both a bachelor's in Mass Communication from Texas State University and a master's in Communication Studies from California State University, Jennifer brings a wealth of expertise. She is experience in bilingual outreach, construction, and communication strategies, having formerly worked for both the Comal County and Hays County Health Departments. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures (including those of the Soviet era), exercising, and spending time with family. We look forward to seeing you shine in our PI department, Jennifer!
Spencer joined PCI's Environmental Department as its newest archeologist. He brings extensive field experience in the archeological industry with his master's in Anthropology for Texas Tech University and research in Belize cleaning cataloguing, and preserving ancient Mayan artifacts. From the start of the COVID pandemic until recently, Spencer had been a high school teacher at Cedar Creek High School where he taught Practical Writing, English, and World Geography. In his spare time, Spencer enjoys drawing and fishing. We are excited for the doors he'll help open in our environmental department!
Andrew joined PCI's Engineering Department as its newest project engineer. In addition to his PE license, Andrew is also a graduate of University of Texas at San Antonio with his bachelor's in Civil Engineering. He brings a wealth of experience working on local transportation and utility projects with proficiency in OpenRoads, GeoPAK, and ProjectWise. In his free time, Andrew enjoys playing basketball, exercising, and trying out new foods with his wife. We are excited to have you as part of the team, Andrew!
Vladimir joined PCI's Surveying Department as its newest senior survey technician. Vladimir holds a bachelor's and master's in Geodesy and Remote Sensing from Kazan State University in Russia, and an advanced degree in Mine Surveying. His extensive experience includes LiDAR and projects that used Spatial Digital Twins, essentially creating 3D/virtual digital models of land or structures using drones or LiDAR technology in conjunction with software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or Trimble Business Center. He also recently relocated to San Antonio with his wife and son. We look forward to have you on the team, Vladimir!
Congratulations to Jeff Hall! In July, Jeff was promoted from Director of Surveying to Vice President of Surveying. In the two years that Jeff has been with the firm, he has absolutely transformed the Surveying Department, employing more advanced technology and methods for how we survey and map. He encourages his team to grow professionally, now employing more sUAS pilots that includes himself, Fredrick and Joshua. He has also encouraged full integration of both field and office operations within his team. His leadership has proven integral to the expansion of our services. Congrats on your promotion!
Congratulations to Phil! In August, Phil became TxDOT pre-certified for the first time. He submitted an application for multiple precertifications and was awarded on his first attempt for them all. In his excitement, he eagerly volunteered to help any employee pursue pre-certifications (just kidding!). As of this newsletter publication, Phil earned the following pre-certifications:
• 15.1.1 - Right-of-Way Surveys
• 15.2.1 - Design Survey
• 15.2.2 - Construction Survey
• 15.3.5 - Horizontal/Vertical Control
In August, Josh passed his 107 exam and is now a licensed sUAS Remote pilot! He joins our squad of remote pilots that includes Jeff and Fredrick. Congratulations, Josh!
In September, Kailey became TxDOT pre-certified for the first time, earning some major pre-certifications that are highly sought in the environmental consulting industry. As of this newsletter publication, Kailey earned the following pre-certifications:
• 2.6.5 Protected Species Evaluations
• 2.13.1 Hazardous Materials Initial Site Assessment
• 2.14.1 Environmental Document Preparation
Congratulations, Kailey!
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The public involvement bonanza continues! With over twenty public involvement events this quarter, the growing PCI PI team gets **** done! Kudos to the team for the incredible volume of work completed, with more to come this year!
-Elizabeth Story
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the PCI team for their warm welcome! I’d especially like to highlight Elissa Garza for taking time out of her busy schedule to teach me valuable computer shortcuts and help me prepare for events. Your support means a lot!
-Jennifer Conger
Have some kudos to give to a colleague? Send your letter to amarquez@pozcam.com to have it featured on our next issue!
I want to take a moment to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Coleton Cornish from our Engineering Department for his invaluable assistance to the Environmental Department. Collaboration between Engineering and Environmental teams is often key to achieving project goals. While our disciplines differ, understanding each other's work is essential for success.
Recently, while working on project SL 338, I needed to conduct a noise analysis. This task required insight into grade level elevation points and an understanding of how to read project profile sheets—something new to me. Despite these sheets coming from another company, Coleton was able to guide me through the process with ease. His expertise and willingness to share his knowledge made all the difference and allowed me to confidently move forward with my task.
Moments like these remind me of the complexity of our industry and the true value of working within a multidisciplinary firm. The ability to lean on one another for support is an incredible asset, and I’m grateful to be part of a team where help is always just a call away.
Thank you again, Coleton, for your support!
Sincerely,
Carolina Garcia
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:
• Senior Survey Technician
• Drainage Design Engineer
To view detailed job descriptions on the PCI website, go to pozcam.com/jobs
Find out how you can earn anywhere between $1000 and $3000 by referring a qualified candidate! See more on pg. 35.
By Jackie Lopez VP of Environmental
The Zarzamora Street Overpass, located just south of US 90 in San Antonio’s West Side, has been a point of discussion for over a decade. This area experiences significant travel delays due to frequent train crossings, with around 35 freight trains passing daily on the double set of tracks. The crossing, near one of Union Pacific’s busiest rail yards, has long been recognized as a congestion hotspot that needed attention.
Despite years of planning, there was conflict over the proposed solution. The project,
originally led by various consultants – including our own Will Long during his time with Rivera Associates – underwent extensive planning and alternatives analysis. However, in 2017, the project hit a roadblock when a coalition of South and West Side neighborhood representatives (the “D5 Coalition of Communities”) petitioned the City to slow down, arguing that the community had not been adequately informed or involved. They also requested consideration of an underpass instead of an overpass.
This opposition stalled the project until PCI’s Environmental Team stepped in.
In April 2020, under our On-Call
NEPA contract with the City, PCI was engaged to conduct environmental studies and provide public involvement services in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), with oversight from the Texas Department of Transportation. Given the community’s concerns and the project’s history, we recognized that transparent and consistent public engagement would be critical to success. Kailey Butler and I led the efforts on this large and complex $35 million project, which would involve realigning South Zarzamora Street and constructing two overpasses – one northbound and one southbound – over the railroad crossing. One significant challenge was
the need for eight property displacements, including two residential and six commercial properties, notably the beloved Oscar’s Taco House. We worked closely with the City to hold one-on-one meetings with each affected property owner, often meeting multiple times to ensure their voices were heard and their concerns addressed. We acted as liaisons between the property owners and the engineers to ensure that community input was considered.
In July 2022, the City hosted a Virtual Public Meeting with an In-Person Open House, attended by 73 members of the public, including Councilwoman Castillo. PCI dedicated countless preparing
for this meeting, developing materials that not only outlined the proposed project but also provided a detailed summary of previous efforts, including the alternatives analysis and the rationale behind ruling out an underpass as a viable option. The meeting was a success for our team, and we received high praise from the City for our professionalism and commitment to public involvement.
On the environmental side, our team prepared several technical reports, with significant contributions from Colin (noise), Warren (hazardous materials), Kailey (species and community impacts), and our subconsultant Stantec (cultural resources).
In December 2023, Kailey
authored the project’s Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), a major milestone for such a complex project. Huge kudos to Kailey for preparing her first EA! After years of hard work, the project received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on June 24, 2024, officially clearing the project environmentally. The City is set to begin acquiring and demolishing properties next year, with constructed expected to begin in 2028.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. I am honored to work with such an incredible team. Special thanks to Kailey, Colin, Warren, Hugo, Lianna, Will, Lena, and Robert for their contributions. Great job, team!
By Alex Marquez Technical Editor
At Poznecki-Camarillo, our Surveying Department is one of the most crucial components of the services we offer. Surveying might seem like something that only happens behind the scenes, but it plays a major role in every project we undertake. Without accurate surveying, the foundations of any development—whether it’s a road or a bridge—couldn’t be laid with confidence. Since we have several new employees with the firm that are new to the industry, let’s introduce the team behind it and dive into
what surveying means in simpler terms.
Who Leads our Surveying Team?
Our Surveying Department is led by three highly experienced Texas Registered Professional Land Surveyors: Jeff, Phil, and Beto. Between them, they have over 115 years of combined experience. At the helm of the department is Jeff, our Vice President of Surveying, to whom the entire survey team reports. Alongside Jeff are skilled crew chiefs, with an average of 12 years of field experience, and a strong support team of survey technicians, including Field Coordinator Fredrick Lopez, and project surveyors and surveyorsin-training (SITs) who excel in a
range of specialized software like AutoCAD and MicroStation.
What is Surveying and Why Does It Matter?
Surveying is essentially the art and science of measuring land. These measurements help create accurate maps, establish property boundaries, and determine where new construction can take place. Here’s a breakdown of how the PCI Surveying team contributes to the success of our projects:
• Establishing Boundaries: Before any construction or land development begins, surveyors measure and mark the boundaries of the land. This ensures that every project is built on the right property and within legal
limits.
• Mapping Terrain: Surveyors also create detailed maps of the terrain. These maps are used by engineers to design structures that fit the landscape, whether that means building around hills, across rivers, or on flat ground.
• Precision Layouts: When it’s time to actually start construction, surveyors are responsible for marking the exact spots where the foundations of a building, road, or other structure should be placed. This ensures that the project is aligned and constructed as planned.
• Modern Technology: Today’s surveyors use cutting-edge technology like robotic total stations, drones for aerial surveying, and Mobile and Terrestrial LiDAR to collect incredibly precise data. With this technology, PCI’s surveyors can gather information more efficiently and accurately than ever before.
• Efficient Data Collection: Our team is highly trained in using advanced tools and software such as Trimble Access, Civil 3D, and Trimble Business Center to collect, manage, and process data. This results in streamlined workflows and ultimately faster, more reliable results for our clients.
How Has the Survey Department Evolved Over the Years?
Surveying was one of the original
services provided when the company was founded in 1981. Despite initially starting with a few office and field crew, it has since grown in regards to both staffing and technology. As new technology is being implemented and utilized, how we perform our surveying tasks are evolving as well, such as taking a hybrid approach. As Jeff states, "We will utilize GPS and Total Stations to establish project control, the boundary survey, ground truthing and combine that data with UAV or terrestrial LiDAR data. The data is process calibrated and merged to create a highly accurate and detailed survey and that was completed efficiently within budget."
Although surveying has primarily completed projects related to transportation improvements, Jeff's leadership has resulted in a shift to diversify clientele, such as utility providers and private entities. In fact, the Survey Department has recently been awarded a contract to provide surveying services to CPS Energy! (see page 5) "Our investments in technology and experienced staff will also allow us to complete geospatial projects, including LiDAR and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)," Jeff says.
Despite the ever-evolving nature of technology, surveying still comes with challenges, both in the field and at the home office.
Something unique about our team is that every team member has a considerable amount of experience in the field. That is not always common and is invaluable in this surveying department.
-Jeff Hall, RPLS
"Time, weather, and location have always been the most challenging aspects of providing surveying services," Jeff says. Since surveying is often the first step in a project, our survey experts are often faced with tight deadlines given the new
anticipation to get a project off the ground and minimize lead time. As a result, our survey team must achieve accuracy and precision in their data, while meeting the high-paced project needs.
This can include facing extreme
environmental factors that can affect how and when field work can be performed. Survey team members often work in the brutal Texas heat, while risking rain, high winds, or the bitter cold while traversing diverse terrain (wooded areas, wetlands, hills, etc.). Even when performing field work along the roadside, our survey team members must be mindful of motorists to ensure their own safety. With projects ranging throughout the state of Texas, our field crewman spend weeks away from home to perform fieldwork.
At PCI, we invest in the latest technology and training to ensure that our surveyors have everything they need to be successful in the field. With decades of experience, specialized knowledge, and a passion for accuracy, our team delivers results that our clients can trust.
The next time you see a surveyor on a project site or read a report based on our data, remember that behind those numbers and measurements is a team of professionals dedicated to precision, innovation, and excellence. Together, we help lay the foundation for every project PCI undertakes.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about the Surveying Department, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to support every department in bringing our collective projects to life!
On July 10th, Isaiah De Leon presented to an audience of over 300 students between 6th - 12th grade who participated in UTSA's Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP). This program prepares students for advanced studies and careers in STEM-related fields. During his presentation, Isaiah explained the basics of civil engineering, including project design phases, horizontal/vertical alignments, and 3D modelling, and detailed how his academic and career path led him to Poznecki-Camarillo. Students were actively engaged throughout Isaiah's presentation, and even stayed after to ask him questions.
In August, we said our "see you laters" to summer interns, Isabel Wysong and Gabriela Sanchez. Isabel interned with the Environmental Department, and Gabriela interned as an ACE mentee with the Engineering Department. Both expressed deep gratitude for the learning opportunities and support from staff during their internship. Isabel is continuing with her senior at Texas A&M in Environmental Studies, while Gabriela will be starting her freshman year at UTSA in Civil Engineering. We wish both ladies success in their academic and professional careers!
'Tis the season of TxDOT Conferences! And we're not over yet. In September, many of our PCI employees spent some time on the road traveling to Corpus Christi and Dallas for their respective conferences, TxDOT's Environmental and Transportation Planning Conferences. Our teams networked with industry professionals while learning about how TxDOT is leading the charge in sustainable mobility and environmental planning.
One thing to know about Leigh Darilek? With a WSET Level 2 certification, she knows her wines. Wine Spirit and Education Trust (WSET) is the globally recognized standard in wine and spirit education, providing her with the qualifications to judge wine for the highest quality. During the SA Rodeo Wine Competition, over 1000 wines come in from across the globe to be judged by Leigh and her fellow judges over the course of 3 days, after which the wines will be auctioned off to raise money for scholarships for students at Texas Tech in viticulture programs. Winning wines are announced during the 2024 SA Stock Rodeo & Show in February.
Port A beach trip Rebecca and co. for Jason’s niece’s birthday this last weekend!
On July 30th, William Long and his wife welcome their baby girl, Eliza Alejandra to the world! She is now about 2 months old! Happy Birthday,
Views from archeological testing fieldwork near Lake o’ the Pines in Northeast Texas. PCI archeologist Spencer Foster accompanied a crew from PCI’s subcontractor ERG/AmaTerra on this intense nineday mobilization, which focused on evaluating four prehistoric sites previously discovered on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property. The team braved intense heat/humidity, clouds of insects, dense vegetation, and high water to reach all of the sites and complete the scope.
On Saturday, Oct. 5th, several PCI employees showed up bright and early at Our Lady of the Lake University to participate in the annual Purple Run. The run is hosted by San Antonio's Family Violence Prevention Services to raise funds and awareness for domestic violence, helping families throughout Bexar County break the cycle of abuse and achieve lasting independence. Natalia, Isaiah's sister, won first place in the women's category 20-29! Thanks to all our walkers/runners, including Isaiah De Leon, Diamond Rios, John Mendoza, Mike Morales, Marilu Lobato, Rick Arias, Fredrick Lopez, Ignacio Izaguirre, Alex Marquez, Josh Nault, and to their friends/family who attended as part of the team!
On October 7th and 8th, several of our PCI team attended TxDOT's Short Course and ACEC Fajita Fiesta for opportunities to network with industry professionals while learning about new innovations within Texas' DOT. Pictured above, from left to right, are Jeff Hall, Phil Nolan, Rebecca Chavez, Kailey Butler, Jackie Lopez, Lena Camarillo, William Long, Carolina Garcia, Fernando Camarillo, and Rob Maxwell!
In honor of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, PCI employees in the San Antonio AND Round Rock offices decked out in pink in honor of those we've lost and who are still fighting breast cancer. Thank you, team, for showing your support!!
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.