Robert D. Upton, PE

District Engineer, Robert D. Upton, P.E.

Robert D. Upton, P.E., has been with the Gulf Coast Water Authority since March 2023. He oversees Engineering, Land Acquisition services, and the Capital Improvement Program as the District Engineer. Before coming to GCWA, Mr. Upton was the City of Pearland's Director of Engineering and Public Works since October 2016. He oversaw the Engineering, Capital Projects, Utilities, and Internal Services Divisions. Prior positions include Assistant Division Manager for the San Jacinto River Authority and the City Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director for the City of Missouri City. Before relocating to Texas in 2013, he spent more than 15 years in Arizona in the public/private sectors with the City of Phoenix, the City of Prescott, and Fann Environmental, LLC, a Design/Build/Operate construction firm. His experience includes water and wastewater design and construction, alternative contract procurement, project management, policy development and implementation, and ensuring the planning and construction activities are in accordance with GCWA Standards, Codes, and Practices. 
 
He received a Civil Engineering degree from Northern Arizona University in 1996 and is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas and Arizona.