Bridging the Digital Divide: From ‘What to How’
This interactive workshop was designed around the realities of small, rural, and under-resourced utilities. Held in partnership with Moonshot Missions and Karmous-Edwards Consulting, it explored how digital tools can be applied pragmatically—without overcomplicating operations or stretching limited resources.
The workshop was open to anyone interested in scalable, inclusive approaches to digital transformation. Through real-world examples, peer insights, and roundtable discussions, participants explored lessons that can translate across utilities of all sizes.
Conference Attendees can now access the presentation slides HERE. If you can’t retrieve the password, please contact Maayan Schiller: maayan@swan-forum.com
SWAN Members can access all materials when logged in to the website.
AGENDA
9:00-9:10 AM Welcome Remarks
- Nadia Abboud, President (ENAY Group) & Travis Kennedy, Chief Industry Officer (Water Online)
9:10-9:30 AM Keynote: “Lead Through the Unknown: The Psychology of Trust, Uncertainty, and Buy-In”
- Dr. Kasi Lacey, CEO & Founder | Keynote Speaker | Psychologist (H & L Legacy Consulting) – View Bio
9:30-10:30 AM From Hype to Help: Practical AI for Small and Resource-Constrained Utilities
Moderator: Eric Bindler, Sr. Manager of Strategic Insights (Xylem)
- Matthew Utley, Chief Wastewater Operator (City of Monticello, Illinois) “Monticello’s Digital Journey: The Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Unparalleled Success at Monticello’s Wastewater Treatment Plant”
- Dillon McCormick, Data Scientist (Brown and Caldwell)“From “Shelfware” to “Software”: How York Sewer District Operationalized Static Master Plans with Generative AI”
- Nathaniel Tillis, Executive Director (City of Racine, Wisconsin)
10:30-11:00 AM Networking & Refreshments Break
11:00-12:00 PM Interactive Roundtables Round 1: Breaking Down Barriers: What’s holding utilities back?
In this interactive first session, after getting to know your table participants, zoom in on the challenges related to the framing question of the roundtable. What are some of the hurdles utilities face? How can we move from exploration to consideration to implementation? Objective: Please narrow down to one challenge statement.
- How do you bridge the gap between technology capability and organizational readiness?
Joey Mitchell, Chief Strategy Officer (UMS) & Michael Flanigan, Public Utilities Director (City of Clearwater Public Utilities, Florida)“The Messy Middle of Digital Transformation” - How can regulators support digital transformation?
Isaac Pellerin, SVP of Corporate Strategy (120 Water) & Anthony DeRosa, Executive Director (Association of State Drinking Water Administrators) - How do you get your digital program started?
Christina Merwin, Manager (NJBSoft LLC)“Peoria, Arizona: Inclusive Digital Transformation Across Six Environmental Programs” - How can technology support affordable condition assessment?
Matthew Buerger, City Engineer (Farnsworth Group/Calumet City, Illinois) & Amanda Siqueira, Co-founder & CEO (VAPAR) “Delivering Measurable Value from AI-Enabled Sewer Assessment: A Utility-Led Case Study from Calumet City, Illinois” - How can SCADA be a trusted tool in utility modernization?
Dave Disney, Project Engineer – SCADA / Collections / Tower Systems (Hilton Head Public Service Department, South Carolina) & Alex Ubl, CTO (STREAMETRIC) “The new SCADA: operator-focused, hosted, beyond OT” - How can you use what you have to enhance asset management?
Janalea Hembree, Assistant to the City Manager (City of Burleson, Texas) & Tanu Kulkarni, Asset Management Consultant (Freese and Nichols) “Achieving Citywide Asset Management and Coordinated Infrastructure Renewal Planning - How can digital transformation support more efficient use of time, labor, and investment?
Dr. Michael Strahand, Business Development Director (Halogen Systems) “From Manual Sampling to Integrated Smart Water: Immokalee’s Digital Journey Through Real-Time Distribution Monitoring” - How can smaller utilities use GIS to achieve fast, measurable improvements?
Vince Fortino III, Sr. Account Manager (ESRI)
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch Sponsored by UMS and 120Water
1:00-2:00 PM Empowering Operators with Actionable Data
Moderator: Michael Mucha, Principal (Moonshot Missions)
- Armando Reyes, Wastewater Crew Chief (Immokalee Water & Sewer District, Florida)“Next-Generation Wastewater Operations: Immokalee Water & Sewer District’s Fully Integrated Sensor Network and Real Time Monitoring Platform for Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Disaster Resiliency”
- Earl Wood, General Manager (Hurst Creek MUD, Texas) & Ellie Graeden, Chief Data and Product Officer (Metron)“Doing More With Your Data: Scaling the Impact of Smart Water for Utilities and Customers”
- Anthony Connerton, Assistant Water Superintendent (City of Paris, Illinois) & Chris Sosnowski, CEO (Waterly) “How Data Standardization and AI enable efficient Asset & Data Management of Small Systems”
2:00-2:30 PM Networking & Refreshments Break
2:30-3:15 PM Interactive Roundtables Round 2: From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Practical Solutions
From the challenge statement in the past roundtable session, how can we overcome this hurdle? What supports or tools are needed? How is success measured, quantified, and validated? Develop a tangible outcome with key recommendations to share.
3:15-4:00 PM Protecting Institutional Knowledge: Digital Tools for Workforce Transition
Moderator: Craig Yokopenic, Executive Vice President (EMA, Inc.)
- Tim Silvers, District Operator (Douglas County Rural Water District #1, Kansas)“Small Districts, Big Transitions: How Digital Twins Sustain Knowledge Across Utility Borders”
- Amanda Willis, Mayor Pro Tem (City of Carlton, Georgia) “GPTs for Small Systems: What Would Jerry Do? Chatbot”
4:00-4:15 PM Closing Remarks
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