MLEIP Advisory Board
The Board promotes the mission and objectives of the internship program by guiding, mentoring, and supporting the success of college students who are selected to participate in paid, full-time summer internships with the MLEIP.
About the Board

The Advisory Board for the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program consists of individuals from the private sector, public sector, and higher education.
To assist with growing the internship program, the MLEIP Advisory Board formed the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Corporation, a 501(c)(3), in 2018.
The specific objectives and purpose of this advisory board are:
- a commitment to heighten the awareness and encourage the participation of college/university students regarding environmental-related issues and policies;
- to develop a highly qualified work force within Texas' environmental agencies and private corporations through paid internships for students exploring professional opportunities in the environmental fields;
- to train and equip students for future careers as environmental professionals; and
- to increase participation of interns in non-government entities.
Advisory board members:
- Actively participate in advisory board meetings.
- Contribute to discussions related to internship program services.
- Serve on an ad hoc committee when needed.
- Positively enhance the MLEIP by
- sponsoring intern(s) based on available funding;
- providing resource materials for interns and sponsors, as appropriate; and
- arranging for student interns to tour their respective organization/facility.
- Support college student recruitment and selection as MLEIP interns.
- Promote MLEIP to prospective external intern sponsors.
- Participate in planning and executing the annual intern conference.
- Attend the annual conference to network with sponsors and interns.
- Serve as positive role models for future leaders who are launching their careers through the MLEIP.
List of Advisory Board Members

Alisha Mehta Adams
Attorney, Austin
Jackson Walker L.L.P.

Jerrell Cooper, MLEIP Advisory Board President
Senior Field Environmental Specialist
Oncor Electric Delivery

Alison Leland, J.D., MLEIP Advisory Board Vice President
Director, The Honors College
University of Houston

L’Oreal Stepney, P.E.
Director, Board Member
Texas Water Development Board

Benjamin Rhem, MLEIP Advisory Board
Treasurer
Partner, Austin
Jackson Walker, L.L.P.

Maria Moon, MSHR
HR Director, College/Intern Program/D&I
TRC Companies

Brandi N. Harrison Trotter
Business Development Supervisor
North Central Texas Council of Governments

Melvin G. Wrenn
LCM Capital Markets Group
(Adapt Companies)

Darrell McCant, MPH, DABT
Manager, Toxicology Division
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Sam Whitehead, Ph.D., MLEIP Advisory Board Secretary Chair, Dept. of Environmental Science &
Conservation
Concordia University Texas

Deb Mamula
Executive Director
Energy Council

Stephanie Bergeron Perdue
Partner
Baker Botts L.L.P.

Diana Rader, P.G., MLEIP Immediate Past President
Principal
Braun Intertec

The Honorable Rodney Ellis
Commissioner, Harris County,
Precinct One
Program Contacts
MLEIP Internship Coordinator,
Human Resources & Staff Services
(512) 239-5433 or
internship@tceq.texas.gov