Stormwater is often seen only as a flooding risk or an urban nuisance, but Carollo’s stormwater leaders see it as something more: a vital part of the One Water cycle and an opportunity for resilience, reuse, and community value.
In a recent interview with Stormwater Solutions, Carollo’s California Stormwater Lead, Millicent Cowley-Crawford, and Texas Stormwater Lead, Stephen Costello, shared how they are shaping Carollo’s growing stormwater practice and helping communities rethink the role of runoff in a sustainable water future.
Building Stormwater Expertise Across the USA
Millie, who leads stormwater and floodwater efforts in California and Hawaii, emphasized her excitement at both supporting clients and growing the team. “We have some amazing professionals and I’m really looking forward to growing that part of the business,” she explained. With more than 25 years of experience in flood management, levee systems, and climate resilience, she brings broad technical expertise to complex challenges like coastal flooding.
Stephen, based in Texas, highlighted the unique needs of his state: “Because Texas is so big, the drainage and flooding issues are different throughout the state. We hope to build a local team in each one of our offices here in Texas.” Drawing on his decades of experience as an engineer, council member, and Houston’s “Flood Czar,” Stephen brings a perspective that spans technical, political, and financial aspects of stormwater management.
Strengthening Stormwater Through One Water
Both leaders emphasized that their roles go beyond technical design. They are about connecting stormwater to the bigger picture of water supply, wastewater, and community needs.
“Carollo has always been perceived here in the Houston area as a water and sewer firm, however we are all water,” Stephen said. He noted that stormwater reuse is gaining traction in Texas as part of broader water supply planning, from green infrastructure to reclaimed runoff.
Millie echoed this perspective in the context of California’s water challenges: “If you think about it, all water is stormwater at some point in its life. Clean stormwater can make our communities safer, natural, enjoyable, beautiful, so stormwater is a resource to treasure.”
Expanding Stormwater Solutions
For both leaders, stormwater services are not a new line of work but a new way of bringing together Carollo’s expertise under a unified lens. “We are connecting the dots for where clients are and where they want to go with their stormwater projects,” Millie explained. Stephen added that their experience allows them to not only flag technical challenges but also help clients navigate funding and implementation hurdles.
Watch the full interview with Stormwater Solutions below to hear more from Millie and Stephen about Carollo’s stormwater leadership:
