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Esri Water GIS Heroes

Multiple portraits of Water GIS Heroes with a navy blue map in the background

Esri water GIS heroes inspire

Each month, the Esri water team will highlight a GIS hero from the Esri water community. These heroes are leaders within the GIS community and true GIS champions. As proven problem solvers, they have gained deep respect from colleagues. Their genuine love of GIS inspires others to imagine how GIS can help them achieve their own ambitious goals. Join us in celebrating these industry leaders who are making a difference every day.

Thomas Matich | Delaware Rural Water Association

Training specialist Thomas Matich provides free training and technical assistance to small public water systems throughout Delaware as part of a program funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Thomas directly shows organizations how to incorporate GIS into their financial, managerial, and operational workflows to achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Thomas took advantage of Esri resources to introduce small community water systems to GIS. He also creates and administers several hands-on GIS training classes.

Thomas Matich wearing a business attire and smiling overlaid on a blue and purple graphic background

Past GIS heroes

  • John Nolte smiling and wearing a suit and tie overlaid on a blue and purple graphic background
    GIS hero Fall 2023

    John Nolte | Denver Water

    GIS Manager

    John oversaw an effort to inventory service lines throughout Denver Water’s service area, which streamlined the utility’s Lead Reduction Program.
  • Sean Quarnstrom smiling and wearing a jacket overlaid on a blue and purple graphic background
    GIS hero Fall 2023

    Sean Quarnstrom | HMRD

    Senior Engineer

    Under Sean’s guidance, Henry Miller Reclamation District (HMRD) developed and implemented a variety of GIS workflows that saved valuable time.
  • Josh Rhamy smiling and wearing a suit and tie overlaid on a blue and purple graphic background
    GIS HERO SPRING 2023

    Josh Rhamy | American States Utility Services

    GIS Manager

    Josh is the driving force behind advancing the enterprise geospatial program at American States Utility Services.
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  • Erik Nelson wearing a grey dress shirt overlaid on a blue and purple graphic background
    GIS Hero Winter 2022

    Erik Nelson | NW Natural Water

    GIS Manager

    Erik leverages GIS data to streamline processes and provides analysis that informs key decisions and enables the company to scale for growth.
  • Portrait of Mackenzie Collins smiling in a dark collared shirt against a soft focus sky and royal blue background
    GIS Hero Fall 2022

    Mackenzie Collins | Placer County Water Agency

    GIS Analyst

    Mackenzie Collins’ passion for finding solutions that use GIS has increased productivity and simplified workflows for PCWA mobile crews.
  • Portrait of Ryan Rodriguez smiling in a dark suit against a blue background within a round blue border
    GIS Hero Summer 2022

    Ryan Rodriguez | Lower Valley Water District

    IT Manager

    Ryan Rodriguez focuses on a technology strategy that supports organizational goals, improves daily workflows, and supports sustainability.
  • Portrait of Bob Ayensu
    GIS HERO SPRING 2022

    Bob Ayensu | Trinity River Authority of Texas

    Geospatial Services Manager

    Bob and his team successfully implemented enterprise GIS, transforming GIS into a vital information resource hub that has streamlined processes.
  • A portrait of Amy Peters enclosed in a blue gradient circle overlaid on a purple graphic
    GIS Hero Winter 2022

    Amy Peters | SFWMD

    Geographer

    Amy’s creative applications of Esri’s geospatial tools positively impacts many South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) projects.
  • A portrait of Jim Trimble enclosed in a blue gradient circle overlaid on a purple graphic
    GIS Hero Winter 2022

    Jim Trimble | WaterOne

    Geospatial Services Manager

    Jim has been a transformative leader for WaterOne’s GIS department, always looking for opportunities to enable WaterOne with GIS capabilities.
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  • Amanda Parisi with long auburn hair, wearing a pink shirt
    GIS Hero Fall 2021

    Amanda Parisi | WJCUD

    GIS Lead Technician

    Amanda leads the GIS group at West Jackson County Utility District (WJCUD), takes on many responsibilities, and continuously improves their GIS.
  • Anthony Pologruto with a short dark hair and a short beard, wearing red glasses and a white collared shirt with a grey diamond pattern
    GIS Hero Fall 2021

    Anthony Pologruto | MAWC

    GIS Analyst

    Anthony brings a profound skillset to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) that blends mapping and analysis with communication.
  • A portrait of Jill Graham
    GIS Hero Spring 2021

    Jill Graham | City of Gainesville

    GIS, Utility Mapping, and Floodplain Manager

    Jill is responsible for providing GIS support to all divisions of the Department of Water Resources which include water, sewer, and stormwater.
  • A portrait of Misty Downing
    GIS Hero Spring 2021

    Mysti Downing | GBRA

    GIS Administrator

    Mysti is responsible for creating the vision for and managing all aspects of the agency’s enterprise GIS program.
  • A portrait of Alex Harper taken outdoors
    GIS Hero Winter 2021

    Alex Harper | Central Arkansas Water

    GIS Manager

    Alex maintains and optimizes custom apps, integrations between other systems and GIS, and a GIS-centric asset and work management system.
  • Shannon Decker, smiling
    GIS Hero Winter 2021

    Shannon Decker | SUEZ North America

    Director of GIS

    Shannon is responsible for developing and leading the vision for GIS across the Regulated Utility division, setting policies and standards.
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  • Brett Angel, smiling
    GIS Hero Fall 2020

    Brett Angel | Sammamish Plateau Water

    GIS Developer and Database Administrator

    At SPW, Brett develops enterprise solutions, administers enterprise GIS systems, and manages SPW’s GIS-centric asset registry.
  • Brett Angel, smiling
    GIS Hero Fall 2020

    Dave Babicki | Jonah Water SUD

    GIS Specialist

    Dave is advancing the GIS platform at Jonah Water SUD to better identify assets, increase informed decision making, and support collaboration.
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Who's the next Esri water GIS hero?


Tell us about someone you know who uses GIS to create innovative solutions and inspire others.