Patrice Melancon grew up in the New Orleans, LA area and completed her Civil Engineering degree at the University of Louisiana – Lafayette on an Air Force ROTC scholarship.  She served 9 years on active duty before transferring to the Air Force Reserves in 1997 and moving to Austin for graduate school.  Over the next 24 years, Patrice was activated 5 times, including a year after September 11th.  Her last 2 years of service was completed on active duty leading the rebuild of Tyndall AFB, FL following the devastation of Hurricane Michael.  She retired in February 2021 as a Brigadier General. 

Patrice received her Masters in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Texas (Hook’ Em!) and worked as a water resources consultant for CDM-Smith for 15 years.  She worked with communities in Central Texas, finding solutions to water supply, water distribution, wastewater collection, and flood control problems.  In 2016, Patrice joined the San Antonio River Authority where she served as the Engineering Department Manager until Mar 2019 when she was called back to active duty.  In 2019, Patrice was inducted into the University of Louisiana – Lafayette College of Engineering Wall of Honor and the University of Texas Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering Department Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

In retirement, Patrice is doing a bit of consulting, but is also focused on giving back to her community and her profession.  Patrice is Board President of the Alliance Francaise de San Antonio and a member of Rotary and Daughters of the American Revolution.  She is a long-time member of the Society of American Military Engineers where she serves on the executive committee of the Academy of Fellows.

• Board Member Since: 2024
• Current Term Expires: