Team

Prior to joining HCIDC, I worked for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) as its Chief Financial Officer and its Chief Auditor. METRO is the region's largest public transit provider. Services include bus, rail, paratransit, commuter bus, high occupancy vehicle lanes, van pools, and road improvement projects. METRO's staff exceeds 4,200 employees.

My responsibilities included three departments: the Controller's Office, the Office of Management & Budget, and Grants Management. In addition, I was responsible for all issuances of debt and management of investments.

METRO bonds were upgraded from AA+ to AAA by S&P Global and Kroll during my tenure as CFO. METRO was the only transit agency to earn such an upgrade between 2016 to 2022.

METRO was awarded more than $800 million in COVID related grants during my tenure as CFO. METRO’s approach to seeking these grants was best practice in the industry.

METRO garnered numerous awards from GFOA, the State of Texas and others for financial presentation excellence and transparency during my tenure as CFO.

I am a proud graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Business (MBA in Finance and Accounting), Stanford University (BA in Economics), and the Phillips Exeter Academy.  In addition, I am a Certified Public Accountant, a certified Municipal Advisor Representative, and a certified Municipal Advisor Principal.

Independent philanthropic professional

Eryn is a public finance attorney. She works on a range of public finance matters, including as bond counsel, disclosure counsel and underwriter's counsel. Her background includes advising issuers on securities law disclosure obligations and related regulatory matters, as well as representing issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings, and public and private offerings of securities. She has extensive experience in advising public and private companies, including non-profit corporations, on general corporate governance matters.

Eryn is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law (J.D.) and University of Houston (B.A.).

Engineering Consultant

Councilmember Ornaldo Ybarra and his family moved to Pasadena, Texas, in 1978, the same year in which he was born. Ornaldo Ybarra calls Pasadena, Texas, his home, residing in the city for the last 40 years. Ornaldo enjoys Pasadena’s family-friendly environment, which allowed him to become a productive community leader. He comes from a humble working-class family that values quality education, military service, public service, fairness, and a strong work ethic. Ornaldo is proud to have attended Kruse Elementary, Jackson Intermediate, and Pasadena High School. 

Upon graduating high school, Ornaldo enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of seventeen (1996-2000). He served with Alpha Company 1st Battalion 7th Marines at 29 Palms, California. While in the Marine Corps, Ornaldo was recognized as 1st Marine Division Marine of the Quarter (1998) and meritoriously promoted to Corporal. While serving as a rifleman, Ornaldo attained the rank of Sergeant in 3 years, which is very rare to attain in such a short period while in the infantry. Ornaldo is the recipient of multiple letters of appreciation, certificates of commendation, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. 

After serving his country and receiving an honorable discharge, Ornaldo attended San Jacinto College and obtained his Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S). Ornaldo was hired by the Pearland Police Department in 2005, and while working with the Pearland Police Department, Ornaldo has been a member of the Pearland Police Department SWAT Team and Honor Guard Detail. In 2018, Ornaldo graduated from the prestigious Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Leadership Command College (LEMIT) and the FBI National Academy in 2022. In 2020, Ornaldo was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned as the Patrol Division Commander.  

In 2009, Ornaldo was elected as District A- Councilmember and served as Councilmember for District A from 2009-2017 and 2019-2022. Over $60 million of infrastructure repairs were completed during his tenure in District A. As a result of his hard work, fellow council members elected Ornaldo as Mayor Pro-Tem in 2013-2014 and subsequently again in 2015-2016. Ornaldo believes good government comes down to relationships, communication, transparency, accountability, and service. Ornaldo continued his education while serving on the city council and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 2010 from the University of Houston and Master in Public Administration (MPA) from Sam Houston State University in 2016. In July 2023, Ornaldo was sworn in as the Councilmember for District G.