Water Summit Agenda

Pacific Foyer

Bayview Terrace

Robert F. Powelson

President and CEO, National Association of Water Companies

Research shows that opinions on water service can be moved with effective messaging. Join us for an interactive workshop on how best to address concerns about the U.S. water grid and refocus customers’ attention on the reality that NAWC member companies provide a product that is not only safe and reliable, but superior to other options.

Discussion Leader:

Mark Weaver, Communications Counsel

Featuring:

Commissioner Thomas J. Gleeson, Chair, Public Utility Commission of Texas

Check back for updates as additional speakers are confirmed

Kyle Hanslovan

CEO and Co-Founder, Huntress

The cyber threats to the nation’s water and wastewater systems continue to evolve. As an industry, we recognize that if a water source or an industrial control system is compromised, there could be huge public health outcomes to a community – not to mention interruptions in service. Join us for a roundtable discussion on the latest. 

Moderator:

Commissioner Gabriel Aguilera, New Mexico Public Regulation Commission

Panelists:

Douwe Busschops, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Veolia North America

Aaron Dombrowski, Cybersecurity Advisor for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) & Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Region 9

Georgia Simpson, VP – Information Technology & Chief Technology Officer, Middlesex Water

Bayview Ballroom

Grab your wingman and get ready… “It’s time for the big one!” Join us for a reception under the San Diego sunset as we kick off the 2024 Water Summit.

Balboa AB (4th Floor)

Remarks by:

Cheryl Norton, Executive VP and COO, American Water

Commissioner Maida J. Coleman, Missouri Public Service Commission

Robert F. Powelson, President and CEO, National Association of Water Companies

Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), North Dakota Public Service Commission

Bayview Ballroom

The relationship between those that provide vital drinking water and wastewater disposal and customers that rely on these services is an important one. Connect with industry leaders about the best practices for customer-centric policies for low-income assistance and rates that is positive and data-driven.

Moderator:

Chris Franklin, Chairman and CEO, Essential

Panelists:

Chelsie Carter, Director, Customer Experience, Central States Water Resources

Juliet Ellis, Head of Utilities, Promise Pay

Commissioner Angie Hatton, Vice Chair, Kentucky Service Commission

Commissioner Karen Douglas, California Public Utility Commission

Water system fragmentation often increases costs and decreases water quality, perpetuating environmental injustice and causing disproportionate harm to low-income communities. Join us for a conversation about coordination and consolidation and the role it plays in the future of U.S. water.

Panelists:

Laurel Firestone, Member, State Water Resources Control Board

Commissioner Darcie Houck, California Public Utilities Commission

Salvador Melendez, Mayor Pro Tempore – Councilmember District 3, City of Montebello

Bob Nicholson, President, San Gabriel Valley Water Company

Jessi Snyder, Director of  Community Development, Self Help Enterprises

Pacific Foyer

Living Water Award

NAWC Annual Members Meeting

Raise a Glass: Safe Drinking Water Act 50th Anniversary

More and more headlines are warning of the presence of “forever chemicals” in our drinking water. The EPA’s decision to establish a national standard for addressing these harmful chemicals in our drinking water provides clarity to all utilities, their customers and states, while placing all water in the same boat to navigate these uncharted waters. Let’s break down how we protect customers now – and in the future – from not only these substances, but also from the billions of dollars it will cost to clean them up.

Moderator:

Christine Keck, VP of National Government and Regulatory Affairs, American Water

Panelists:

Bruno Pigott, Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency

Adam Redding, Technical Director-Drinking Water Solutions, Calgon Carbon Corporation

Commissioner Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

Shawn Bunting, SVP & General Counsel, California Water Service

Not long ago, the utility industry was the gold standard career path for skilled workers. As those workers are now retiring or planning to retire shortly, the industry faces a shortage of skilled workers. The water utility industry needs to make some big changes, fast, to avoid unprecedented economic repercussions. Join us as industry experts share their perspectives on how we can develop the skills and supply population for right-now solutions for generations to come.

Moderator:

Commissioner John Mitchell, Missouri Public Service Commission

Panelists:

Ron Webb, Vice President, Chief Human Resource Officer, California Water Service

Brian Csizmadia, Director of Human Resources, Aquarion Water

Robert Scott Jr, President, BAYWORK

Kim Stoll, VP of Sales and Marketing, Badger Meter

Pacific Foyer

Join us for the staple of the Water Summit – the Commissioner and NAWC Member Roundtable. It’s an opportunity for a candid conversation about important topics from the perspective of state utility regulators and member companies.

Moderator:

Kariné Rouge, CEO, Veolia North America

Panelists:

Commissioner Anna Tovar, Arizona Corporation Commission

Commissioner John Reynolds, California Public Utility Commission

Eric Thornburg, CEO, SJW Group

Alison Zimlich, CFO, Nexus Water

Sunset Terrace at Layover