News Details
Walnut Valley Water District Showcases Leadership and Innovation at AWWA ACE 2024
June 29, 2024
Team Members Presented at 5 Educational Sessions
Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) proudly celebrates the participation, contributions, and leadership of its team members who presented at the 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE) hosted by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The conference was held from June 10-13 in Anaheim, CA. ACE provided WVWD with a pivotal platform to highlight its innovative strides and steadfast commitment to excellence in water management and professional development.
WVWD team members hosted five educational sessions throughout the conference, demonstrating proactive leadership in learning and sharing knowledge with other water peers. Employees from various departments not only attended sessions to expand their knowledge but also delivered compelling presentations showcasing their expertise.
Standout sessions include, “Personalized Development Experiences Within Walnut Valley Water District’s Young Professionals Program,” featuring Alexandra Cortez, Administrative Assistant; Stephanie Fu, External Affairs & Sustainability Coordinator II; Samuel Hernandez, Civil Engineering Assistant; and David Lias, Facility Maintenance Worker Lead. This initiative underscored WVWD’s dedication to nurturing talent and cultivating future leaders within the water industry through structured mentorship and growth opportunities. The educational session highlighted the value of water agencies investing in professional development programs for their team members, specifically WVWD’s internal Young and Emerging Leaders program.
WVWD highlighted its successful implementation of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to enhance customer engagement and outreach in the session “Optimizing Customer Engagement Through Data-Driven Communications Strategies,” presented by Alyssa Banzil, Civil Engineer; Lily Lopez, Director of External Affairs & Sustainability and Katrina Lumague, External Affairs & Sustainability Coordinator. This session is a testament to inter-departmental collaboration and the value of water utilities prioritizing communication, efficiency, and teamwork.
Lopez also co-presented “Making Strides Towards an Equitable, Sustainable Water Future for their Communities” with fellow emerging local water leaders through hosted by the WaterNow Alliance, emphasizing innovative approaches to water conservation and green infrastructure essential for building resilient communities.
Donna DiLaura, External Affairs & Sustainability Manager, alongside industry partners Ecotech Services and Eagle Aerial Solutions, addressed critical project execution challenges in the session “When You Have the Funds, the Data, and the Contractor and the Customer Still Says No,” providing invaluable insights into navigating complex project dynamics and stakeholder engagements.
Sheryl Shaw, General Manager, expressed pride in the team’s achievements, stating, “Their hard work and dedication shined through. Developing these presentations isn’t easy, but with their skills and expertise, they are contributing to the value of the water community. I couldn’t be more proud.”
The AWWA ACE conference serves as a crucial platform for water industry professionals to exchange knowledge, network, and explore forward-thinking solutions to sustainability challenges. WVWD’s robust participation reaffirms its ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in serving its community.