UPCOMING BALLOT INITIATIVE
Board of Director elections will be held by electronic ballot sent via email to TRPA Members in early February to cast a vote to support four (4) dedicated volunteers who want an opportunity to support TRPA initiatives and goals. Alternatively, voting can be done in person at the Annual Membership Meeting held Sunday March 8th.
Each year we elect 4 candidates to the Board to serve a three-year term, the positions filled this year will serve until March 2029.
The organization cannot operate with the commitment and dedication of those with a passion for Texas Rivers, paddling and a clean water environment. The following individuals have expressed an interest in supporting TRPA initiatives and would like your consideration and vote to participate on the Board.
These elections will identify the new Board to fulfill the responsibilities of a TRPA Board of Director including: participating in the Annual Meeting and up to 4 other meetings throughout the year. Board Members look for opportunities to further the TRPA pillars of purpose, water quality, access and a safe paddling environment. Board members engage with other Paddling and River focused organizations that support Texas river access and clean water. Often spearheading or supporting local river clean ups and safe paddling activities. Board members are expected to engage in discussion topics raised to the Board,
Candidates for the four positions to be elected in 2026 to serve a three-year term are:
Todd Grier (Bryan, TX)
Todd fell in love with Texas rivers in college, way later than he should have. He and his wife hope their 2 boys will grow up loving Texas rivers way sooner than Todd did.
Since 2005 Todd has taught paddling, rock climbing, and other skills in various university outdoor programs. Currently, Todd is the Program Director for Outdoor Adventures at Texas A&M. He is an ACA L2 River Essentials Kayak Instructor and frequently visits the Hidalgo Falls site to paddle and teach. He served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Outdoor Recreation (aore.org) from 2009-2012, two years as board treasurer.
He aims to inspire independent paddlers who know these rivers provide significantly more than recreation, and understand that all rivers require stewards. He hopes to put that philosophy into practice though his work with TRPA on the Board of Directors.
Alexander Neal (Caldwell, TX)
Alexander joined the TRPA board in 2019. He is a Program Specialist at the Texas Water Resources Institute where he focuses on watershed protection activities and riparian education across the Lone Star State. He received a B.S. in Geography from Texas State University in 2018 with a minor in Nature & Heritage Tourism.
Alexander is a wildland- and volunteer firefighter and instructor for the Texas Stream Team. Alexander has worked as a Park Ranger for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and as a tour guide aboard the glass-bottomed boats at the San Marcos Springs. He is an advocate for Wilderness Areas and Wild & Scenic Rivers, and is deeply interested in keeping intact streams & wetlands undisturbed. Alexander has been the TRPA Board representative advocating for resolving public access issues, specifically the on-going issue at The Cutoff of the Trinity River.
Ben Kvanli (San Marcos, TX)
Ben Kvanli is a world-class paddler, a dedicated conservationist, and a lifelong advocate for the Texas waterways that define our community. A 1996 Olympian and 2001 World Extreme Kayak Champion, Ben has spent over three decades proving that the river is not just a place for sport, but a powerful engine for healing, community building, and environmental stewardship.
Ben’s commitment to Texas rivers is deeply rooted in both his professional and personal life. A 2003 graduate of the Texas State University School of Business, Ben was a primary driving force behind the 2006 construction of Rio Vista Falls in San Marcos—a project that transformed a hazardous low-head dam into a vibrant recreational and ecological asset.
His leadership experience spans decades of board service and civic engagement, including:
- Treasurer & Board Member: San Marcos Convention and Visitors Bureau (2003–2008)
- Original contributor to Hidalgo Falls: Texas River Protection Association (TRPA)
- Advisory Board Member: City of San Marcos Parks Board, Treasurer of the CVB, and Veterans Advisory Board
- Olympic Consultant: Contributed to Houston and Dallas Olympic bids, focusing on whitewater venue development.
- Founder of Veterans Adventure Therapy (501c3)
- 2008 recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award from USA Canoe/Kayak for his work in developing the US Junior Olympic Development Program
As a board member, Ben seeks to bridge the gap between recreational use and environmental protection. He believes that the strongest way to protect a river is to get people on it—responsibly. His goals for the TRPA include:
- Enhancing Access: Ensuring that Texas rivers remain open and accessible for all abilities.
- Sustainable Education: Expanding programs that teach new paddlers how to enjoy the water while minimizing their ecological footprint.
- Strengthening Partnerships: Leveraging his 30 years of business and legislative experience (including work as an IRS Enrolled Agent) to ensure the TRPA remains fiscally sound and strategically positioned to influence state-level river policy.
Ben Kvanli doesn’t just talk about river protection; he lives it every day on the San Marcos. He asks for your vote to continue this work on behalf of all Texas rivers.
Constantin Platon (Greater Houston area)
Constantin is a passionate educator and accomplished field leader with extensive experience teaching college-level Geology in Texas and Alabama across classroom, field, hybrid, and online settings. Over the past decade, he has guided more than 1,200 students through courses in Physical, Environmental, and Historical Geology. His academic expertise includes sedimentology and stratigraphy, salt tectonics, seismic interpretation, and deep-water hydrocarbon exploration.
Prior to academia, Constantin worked as an Exploration Geologist with Shell E&P, where he played a key role in the landmark 2015 Liza-1 well discovery offshore Guyana (Stabroek Block), the world’s largest commercial oil and gas discovery that year.
Constantin is an ACA Level 3 Instructor in coastal kayaking, river kayaking, and river canoeing (solo and tandem). He holds Wilderness First Aid certifications from NOLS and Sierra International and currently serves as the American Canoe Association’s Texas State Director. He is the owner and operator of Kayaking Texas, based in Houston, where he has led trips and taught paddling skills to a diverse range of participants, from industry professionals to youth organizations.
With more than 25 years of experience as an Outdoor Educator, Constantin specializes in low-impact, human-powered adventure sports, including paddlesports, cycling, hiking, camping, backpacking, and mountaineering. He has been an active, dues-paying member and board participant in numerous local and national organizations, including the Houston Association of Sea Kayakers, Houston Canoe Club, Arkansas Canoe Club, Texas River Protection Association, American Canoe Association, Houston Geological Society, and the Geological Society of America.
In addition, Constantin is a USTA-licensed Tennis Professional and has coached tennis for nearly 20 years. Originally from Romania, he earned his Master’s degree in Geology from the University of Alabama.
Eli Rivera (Marfa and The Woodlands)
EIi earned a BS Electrical Engineering degree from Texas A&M in 1985 and has enjoyed paddling all of his adult life. “I bought my first canoe in 1985, then when sit-on-top kayaks were introduced I bought one and my latest purchase has been a paddle board. I mostly use my boats for fishing. Most of my paddling/fishing has been on the coast, but I have also been on many Texas rivers and lakes.”
Eli is an original member of PACK (Paddling Anglers in Canoes and Kayaks) and has been the treasurer of PACK for over 20 years. “I was invited to join the club by Pecos Jack Richardson in 1998 after purchasing my first sit-on-top kayak. I enjoyed many great kayaking/camping/fishing trips with PACK. Some of my other memorable trips include an overnight trip on the Brazos River with Pecos Jack, paddling Lake Amistad up and into the Devils River for a week with my wife, and joining a trip organized by my brother-in-law to Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. I can say my first and only trip into Canada has been via canoe.”