About PIA
Connecting communities with the projects that shape their future through meaningful engagement strategies.
About PIA: We partner with public agencies and organizations to design public involvement programs that fulfill project and communication goals, informed by deep experience in planning and project implementation.
Public involvement takes many shapes and sizes. The most important part of any project is identifying the right stakeholders. Some projects require smaller, consensus-building meetings, while others call for broad, quantifiable virtual engagement and specialized focus groups. PIA helps clients identify and implement the right approach for each project.
PIA is certified as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) with the Texas Comptroller’s Office. In addition, PIA is pre-certified for Public Involvement through the Texas Department of Transportation.
About Our Team
Leigh Hornsby, Ph.D.
Managing Principal
About Dr. Hornsby: Leigh leads PIA in providing clients with customized, effective communications, public engagement, analysis, and project management services. In her more than 30 years of experience in strategic communications, Leigh has served as a public information officer, trainer, news director, anchor, reporter, and project manager.
Depending on the client’s needs and project scope, Leigh assembles a project team of PIA’s public outreach professionals to plan and implement strategic outreach efforts, data analysis, media relations, training, strategic planning, and project management. Leigh’s enthusiasm and attention to detail ensure that each client receives the exact combination of communication services they require.
Click here to see her LinkedIn profile.
Holly Becka
Principal
About Holly Becka: Holly delivers strategic communications, community engagement, and AEC marketing expertise, including proposal development, interview preparation, and presentation coaching.
A former award-winning news reporter and TxDOT‑precertified in 1.8.1 Public Involvement, Holly brings a journalist’s curiosity, expert wordsmithing, and a hands-on approach to every project.
She is known for translating complex information into clear, actionable messages. Holly combines strategic vision with collaborative implementation to guide teams through high-stakes pursuits and public engagement efforts.
Holly works closely with clients to develop tailored solutions that build trust, inform stakeholders, win work, and drive measurable results.
Click here to see her LinkedIn profile.
Iris Garcia
Associate
Iris Garcia joined PIA Communications in 2021 and supports the firm’s public engagement and outreach efforts through bilingual services, meeting coordination, and project support. Fluent in Spanish and English, Iris provides Spanish language translation and interpretation support to help ensure outreach materials and meetings are accessible and inclusive for diverse communities.
As part of PIA’s engagement team, Iris plays a key role in planning and supporting public meetings and events. She coordinates with meeting venues, manages logistics and materials, supports attendee check-in, and assists with on-site facilitation to ensure meetings run smoothly and efficiently. Iris often serves as the first point of contact for community members at public meetings, helping create a welcoming, respectful environment. Her attention to detail extends to data input, data management, research support, and community outreach activities, including flyer distribution.
Iris’s reliability, organization, and commitment to inclusive engagement make her an integral part of PIA’s project team and a trusted resource for clients and communities alike.
Laura Melvin
Graphic Designer
Laura Melvin has more than 30 years of experience as a conceptual graphic designer and art director, supporting clients including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and global agencies in a wide range of industries. Her work blends creative vision with strategic thinking to deliver design solutions that are visually compelling and purpose-driven.
Laura’s expertise spans print and digital design, event and presentation materials, data visualization, and brand representation. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and advanced design tools, she leads projects from concept through execution, ensuring every deliverable aligns with brand standards, communication goals, and audience needs. Her versatile background includes concept development, art direction, e-publications, web and digital advertising, trade show graphics, illustration, presentations, and marketing support.
Driven by a strong business mindset and a passion for high-quality creative, Laura focuses on producing clear, impactful design that supports strategy, strengthens communication, and delivers measurable results for clients. Click here to see examples of her work.
