Meet the Team
The Damage Prevention Council of Texas is staffed by volunteers from the Texas811 Damage Prevention Team along with one full time employee. Each team member also serves on the DPC of Texas Board.
Each DPC Of Texas team member represent the 23 chapters across the state and are integral in supporting chapter leadership and managing events like Safety Days. The team also does the following as Texas811 representatives:
- They are the liaison with Utility Associations, often filling Committee assignments
- They provide free training to members, excavators, and the general public
- They mediate issues between utility and municipal members and excavators
- They attend community events and festivals to educate the general public on their “Call Before You Dig” responsibility
John Sparks, President
Board of Directors
John has over 20 years of experience in the damage prevention. During his career at Texas811, he has held several roles within the organization including Contact Center Manager, Damage Prevention Manager and now Director of Damage Prevention and Public Awareness.
John serves as President of the Damage Prevention Council of Texas. Through the efforts of the board, the DPC of Texas plans to create a unified statewide damage prevention message while cultivating a safer excavation environment through partnerships, education, and awareness.
Jennifer Pratt
Program Manager
jenniferpratt@dpcoftexas.org
(972) 743-7251
LinkedIn
Jennifer has a background in non-profit management and has been in the underground utility industry over six years. She has worked in facility management, healthcare and at the municipality level. Currently, she manages the DPC of Texas and works closely with the Texas811 Damage Prevention Managers to ensure success of the overall program. She serves on the Board of Directors for Leading Women of Damage Prevention. Experienced grant writer with successful history of grant awards. Experience includes non-profit management, program oversight, board engagement and event planning and management. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Texas Arlington and a Masters of Arts in Journalism from Baylor University.
Ketha Molina
Sr. Damage Prevention Manager
Lubbock Office
kethamolina@texas811.org
(432) 209-9482
LinkedIn
Ketha is the Vice President of the Damage Prevention Council of Texas and serves as the President of Leading Women of Damage Prevention. She is an Environmental, Health & Safety professional with much of her 19+ years career in construction and damage prevention. Her roles in the industry have helped her develop and commit to establishing and cultivating strong partnerships; interacting purposefully with staff and management to create a culture of awareness, empowerment, and individual workplace responsibility; and pursuing and utilizing knowledge and skills to serve with community and industry, helping to advance and develop the profession. While learning from the past, working in the present, and planning. She holds active memberships in professional organizations.
David Ferguson
Damage Prevention Manager
Austin Office
davidferguson@texas811.org
(214) 674-5959
LinkedIn
David is a Texas Utilities Code and Texas Administrative Code regulatory subject matter expert with over 14 years’ experience in underground utility and pipeline damage prevention. Mr. Ferguson currently serves on the Damage Prevention Council of Texas Board of Directors and administers training in one-call requirements, damage prevention and safety to excavators, contractors, and municipalities. Mr. Ferguson was with the Railroad Commission of Texas for 10 years and became the Pipeline Damage Prevention Program Manager representing the Commission before damage prevention and pipeline safety organizations, the One-Call Board of Texas, other state agencies, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and other public forums.
Sam Littrell
Damage Prevention Manager
Houston Office
Samuellittrell@texas811.org
(214) 707-8927
LinkedIn
Sam Littrell is a seasoned professional with nearly two decades of experience in damage prevention, known specifically for his collaborative expertise with water and sewer operators. With a background in public safety, he has consistently driven success in mitigating risks and preserving assets.
Sam has held many positions at Texas811, allowing him to bring a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the position. In his recent role as Member Solutions Consultant, Sam spearheaded transformative initiatives that elevated damage prevention strategies, working with some of the largest municipalities in Texas to reduce the number of damages to underground infrastructure by over 50%. His work at Texas811 plays a pivotal role in helping to protect not only those assets, but the people digging around them.
Sam actively contributes to industry conferences, sharing insights on emerging trends. As a thought leader and advocate for advancing damage prevention strategies, Sam Littrell continues to shape the industry with his visionary approach and commitment to positive impact.
Ruben Mendez
Damage Prevention Manager
San Antonio Office
rubenmendez@texas811org
(281) 827-1528
LinkedIn
With a career rooted in construction since 2005, Ruben D’ Mendez is a seasoned Safety Leader dedicated to fostering a culture of proactive risk management and regulatory compliance. Over the past two decades, Ruben D’ Mendez has built extensive expertise across a wide range of construction environments, specializing in the application and enforcement of OSHA and PHMSA regulations. Known for a hands-on approach and a deep understanding of field operations, Ruben D’ Mendez has successfully led safety initiatives for complex projects, driving improvements in incident prevention, workforce training, and regulatory audits. Ruben D’ Mendez’s leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, continuous improvement, and empowering teams to prioritize safety as a core value on every jobsite.
Tina Sanders
Damage Prevention Manager
Dallas Office
tinasanders@texas811.org
(469) 595-1357
LinkedIn
As a Damage Prevention Manager and EHS professional, Tina Sanders provides industry outreach. She delivers educational training on damage prevention and safe excavation to contractors, facility operators, and municipalities across more than 50 counties in Texas.
Tina has worked in underground utility damage prevention for over ten years and has more than twenty-five years of experience in education, quality assurance, and safety. In addition to her role at Texas811, she serves as the Texas811 representative for several Northeast Regional DPC Chapters, sits on the Damage Prevention Council of Texas Board of Directors, and is an active member of multiple Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC).