DAILY AGENDA
Wednesday, April 27
Speakers and sessions are subject to change. All events are at the hotel unless otherwise noted.
3:00-5:30 p.m.
Registration
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Welcome Networking Reception
Reconnect with old friends and make new ones at the opening reception. Team up with others at the reception and head out for dinner on your own.
Reception sponsored by Core and Main
Drinks sponsored by Aqua-Metric Sales Company
Thursday, April 28
7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Registration
7:30–8:15 a.m.
Breakfast
8:15–8:30 a.m.
Welcome and Introduction
Steven Kana, President TMUA, Director of Utilities, City of Killeen
8:30–9:15 a.m.
Managing a Workforce with Differing Generational and Workplace Viewpoints
No matter the profession, employers are increasingly challenged trying to replace staff while dealing with enhanced generational gaps and using technology to maintain a focused, satisfied, and efficient work group. This presentation will explore how the pandemic has changed the employment market, and strategies for keeping employees engaged and motivated while dealing with technology and enhanced generational differences.
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Speakers: Marsha Reed, Sr., Vice President of Executive Recruitment, SGR
Presentation
9:30–10:15 a.m.
Developing a New Regional Water Supply from Scratch
This presentation will discuss what it takes to develop a new regional water supply project by an entity that has no existing infrastructure. Topics will include how and why the customers joined together to pursue the new supply, the planning required to advance the effort, funding options reviewed and pursued, and the partnerships formed to improve the economies of the project’s scale. Graham Moore will discuss the program structure utilized for execution of the project, the ways coordination and consistency are ensured, technology used in both design and construction, and the current project status.
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Speaker: Graham Moore, Executive Director, Alliance Regional Water Authority
10:15–10:45 a.m.
Networking Break with Sponsors
Break sponsored by Walker Partners
10:45–11:45 a.m.
Water for Texas: 2022 State Water Plan
The 2022 State Water Plan marks a quarter-century of Texas’ widely recognized regional water planning process and the fifth state water plan based on the work of hundreds of water planning stakeholders. The state’s water planning process is founded on extensive data and science, and guided by a robust state framework that requires all 16 regional water planning groups to openly and genuinely address all their water supply needs. This plan sets forth thousands of specific, actionable strategies and projects—costs and sponsors included—that clearly demonstrate how Texas will be able to withstand future droughts.
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Speaker: Kathleen Jackson, Director, Texas Water Development Board
Presentation
Noon–1:45 p.m.
Lunch and Keynote
Lunch sponsored by McCain Waterworks Marketing
Leadership Lessons Learned During 35 Years in the World’s Greatest Air Force
During 35 years of service in the Air Force, Lt. General Noel Jones held leadership positions in numerous organizations ranging in size from dozens to over 35,000 people. Throughout those years, he observed highly effective leaders (in and out of uniform) and the attributes they possessed. As Jones advanced in rank, he was offered leadership opportunities at higher levels and tried to emulate those effective leaders’ behavior and the organizational successes they achieved. Those leadership attributes will be discussed and how leaders in any profession can achieve greater personal and organizational success.
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Speaker: Lieutenant General Noel T. (Tom) Jones, United States Air Force (Retired)
Book sponsored by Data Flow Systems
2:00–2:45 p.m.
How to Grow Your Own Employees Amidst the Great Resignation
This session will discuss what people want most in their jobs in these more uncertain times and discuss ideas that have been successful in growing and retaining employees in the public works field.
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Speaker: Marsha Reed, Sr., Vice President of Executive Recruitment, SGR
Presentation
2:45–3:15 p.m.
Networking Break with Sponsors
Break sponsored by Freese & Nichols
3:15–4:00 p.m.
Fort Worth’s Real Water Loss Management Plan – Lessons Learned, Money Saved, and Progress
Fort Worth Water has evolved its leak detection program as part of the larger Real Water Loss Program. Billy Coffelt will discuss the latest project – a comparison of city crew labor versus a water leak detection company to determine the best leak detection solution.
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Speakers: Billy Coffelt, Field Operations Water Assistant Superintendent , City of Fort Worth
Presentation
4:15–5:15 p.m.
WEAT Water Workforce Apprenticeship Program
The Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) has an approved program through the United States Department of Labor (DOL) for water operator apprenticeships. WEAT will work with your community to navigate the DOL program. Dylan Christenson and Julie Nahrgang will discuss how to join and what the program can do for you and your utility.
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Speakers: Dylan Christenson PhD, Wastewater Process Engineer, Black & Veatch; and Julie Nahrgang, Executive Director, Water Environment Association of Texas
5:15-6:15 pm
Free Time
6:15–9:00 p.m.
Dinner and Secret Agent Challenge
Enjoy a fun and relaxing evening with dinner and then we’ll separate into teams to see who is the best at spying!
Dinner sponsored by LSPS Solutions, LLC
Drinks sponsored by NewGen Strategies and Solutions
Game sponsored by Performance Services
Friday, April 29
7:30–9:00 a.m.
Registration
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Breakfast and Business Meeting
9:00–10:30 a.m.
Plan for Emergencies but Cultivate Your Audience – Communications in the Social Media Age
This presentation will share communications strategies used to build positive relationships with customers and how to distribute priority information in a crisis. Information presented will cover examples of reaching various audiences, providing positive customer service experience, proactive outreach campaigns, and steps to follow in emergency situations.
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Speaker: Kristen Waggener, CPC, Communications and Marketing, City of Bryan
Presentation Video Links
10:30 a.m.
Closing and Adjournment