Local leaders Bill Callegari and Byron Hebert received highest honors from the West Houston Association during the WHA’s Public Officials and Awards Reception at the Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, on October 11th.

Callegari received the association’s 2023 Impact Award -- an exceptional honor, only given every few years; the last time it was given by the WHA was in 2019, said the association. Callegari was honored for his many years of community service to the West Houston area.

For more than fifty years, Callegari has been a major force within the water industry both regionally and across the state. Over the course of his professional career, Callegari founded and ran several major water utility companies, helped create the Association of Water Board Directors - Texas, and served on several professional committees and boards relating to environmental control, water, and wastewater treatment. Callegari served seven terms in the Texas Legislature representing the Harris County communities of Katy and Cypress. Among his many legislative successes, he authored water resource management legislation, created the Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology, and worked to amend the Texas Constitution making way for water districts to receive reimbursement for creating parks and recreational facilities.

The 2023 Star of Excellence was awarded to Katy City Administrator Byron Hebert for his work encouraging investment and development in the City of Katy. The West Houston Association’s Star of Excellence Award recognizes individuals who have made substantial contributions to the Greater West Houston area, according to the association’s website.

“Byron understood that population growth was going to change the City of Katy and knew that it was quickly going to outgrow being a small town. He understood the importance of working with land developers and that well managed, high-quality development would be beneficial to the city,” said the WHA website. “A belief that over that past decade would prove instrumental in paving the way for Katy’s emergence as a thriving urban hub, with continued growth slated both for the city and the surrounding area. The City of Katy has reaped the rewards of his forward thinking and Byron has become a resource to other cities in the region as they navigate how to flourish as they are growing.”

“As industry leaders we promote quality development, sustainable infrastructure, long-term planning and sound public policy,” the website continued. “Our Star of Excellence recipients are not members of the West Houston Association, but their work complements our own to achieve a shared vision. We honor them as shining examples of the leadership and determination that is required for everyone to find great experiences and opportunities in Greater West Houston.”