Articles

June 2025 Keynote Session Speaker

"Inland Port"

Alberta Blair, P.E
Director of Public Works
Dallas County

Ms. Blair joined Dallas County in September 1993. Prior to being appointed director, Ms. Blair served as Public Works Assistant Director of Engineering and Construction in which she led the division. She was responsible for the design, engineering, and construction of approved transportation projects under both the 1991 bond and Major Capital Improvement Program (MCIP). These projects were completed in coordination with the planning, utilities and right of way acquisition in conjunction with Dallas County’s 5-Phase Project Delivery System. In addition, she provided engineering support to the County’s four Road and Bridge Districts, the unincorporated areas and other county departments. 
Prior to joining Dallas County, Ms. Blair served with the City of Dallas as a Project Manager in the Central Dallas Business District. She managed projects such as the streets for the Art District, McKinney Avenue Trolley, and Farmers Market. Additionally, Ms. Blair managed the initial Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) for the State Thomas area. Upon leaving the City of Dallas, she served on the State Thomas District TIF Board as head of the Design Review Committee and Board Chair. Ms. Blair also served on the Cultural Affairs Commission for the City of Dallas. Ms. Blair is a Dallas native and an Alumna of Ursuline Academy of Dallas. She received a B.S. degree in Environmental Design and a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the distinguished Texas A & M University. 

Lissa Shepard, P.E., CFM
Senior Bridge Engineer/Floodplain Manager
Dallas County

Ms. Shepard currently serves as the Senior Bridge Engineer and Floodplain Manager for Dallas County, Texas.  She leads a team that is responsible for floodplain management in Unincorporated Dallas County, as well as overseeing bridges and culverts within the unincorporated areas of Dallas County.  She has been in that role since 2015 and before that, served in McKinney, Dallas, and various consulting firms throughout her thirty-year career. Ms. Shepard has extensive experience in floodplain management, land use, and conservation. Through those interests, she serves on the Trinity Regional Flood Planning Group, the Upper Trinity Conservation Trust, and as a director of Collin County Municipal Utility District #1.
Ms. Shepard graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas.  She is a Professional Engineer and a Certified Floodplain Manager.  She is the wife of Charles Shepard and a mother to two daughters (Catherine and Jolie) and two sons (Caleb and Collin).

Laura Freeland
Executive Director
Inland Port Transportation Management Association

Ms. Freeland assumed the position of Executive Director of the Inland Port Transportation Management Association (TMA) in 2021.  She works with the Board and member companies to provide comprehensive transportation solutions to employers and employees in the Southern Dallas County Inland Port area. Since her tenure, ridership has grown from 1400 rides / month in 2021 to a peak of almost 30,000 / month in 2024.
Ms. Freeland brings to the Inland Port TMA a strong background in transportation, logistics, strategic planning, and non-profit management. During her extensive career she implemented industry leading revenue management systems and created multi-year strategic plans to transform organizations through change management practices.