Esri Water GIS Heroes

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

Esri water GIS heroes inspire

Each quarter, the Esri water team highlights 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 Esri in celebrating these industry leaders who are making a difference every day.

Emily Champagne

Geospatial Manager at Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD)

Emily leads the Geospatial Services and Solutions department at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, advancing the use of ArcGIS applications and solutions as well as supporting enterprise data management and system integrations.

Portrait of Emily Champagne smiling in a sunlit courtyard
Emily has helped propel MMSD’s use of GIS from a novelty to a necessity. Her quiet leadership has driven this transformation, educating our internal decision makers on the importance of spatial data. GIS is now a go to element of every project.
Kevin Shafer
Executive Director, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

Past GIS heroes

  • Portrait of Miranda McBride smiling in a pink shirt with a flat blue background
    GIS HERO FALL 2025

    Miranda McBride | Renewable Water Resources

    Geospatial Services Program

    Miranda leads strategic GIS growth, transforming it into a vital tool for planning and operations through apps, dashboards, and web platforms.
  • Lindsay Dreckman wearing black clothing and smiling overlaid on a purple and turquoise background
    GIS hero summer 2025

    Lindsay Dreckman | Metropolitan Utilities District

    Business Applications Manager

    Lindsay led MUD’s upgrade to ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Utility Network, enhancing gas and water systems and integrating key business tools.
  • Portrait of Gavin Runyon smiling in a gray patterned shirt
    GIS Hero winter 2025

    Gavin Runyon | Helix Water District

    GIS Analyst

    Gavin created apps that modernize workflows for outage management, pavement repair, and more.
Previous
Next
  • Portrait of Carl Von Stetten smiling in glasses and a blue button-down shirt against a purple and blue background
    GIS hero fall 2024

    Carl Von Stetten | Central San

    GIS Analyst

    Carl designs and implements GIS systems and integrations between ArcGIS Enterprise and other business systems.
  • Portrait of Clint Dickerson smiling and wearing a plaid dress shirt overlaid on a purple and blue background
    GIS Hero Summer 2024

    Clint Dickerson | Mustang Special Utility District

    GIS Specialist

    Clint led Mustang’s digitization and upload of as-built infrastructure plans to a GIS, enabling instant field access for staff.
  • Portrait of Emily McBroom smiling and wearing a striped blouse and a beige blazer overlaid on a purple and blue background
    GIS Hero Summer 2024

    Emily McBroom | Mustang Special Utility District

    GIS Manager

    Emily transitioned Mustang from paper to digital maps, creating GIS tools that streamline operations and track infrastructure projects.
  • Mark Rees smiling and wearing a gray collared shirt overlaid on a purple and blue background
    GIS Hero Spring 2024

    Mark Rees | City of Wentzville

    GIS Analyst

    Mark leads Wentzville's Water Division mapping team, where he uses ArcGIS and Python to boost efficiency and get real-time data updates.
Previous
Next
  • Thomas Matich wearing business attire and smiling overlaid on a blue and purple background
    GIS Hero Winter 2023

    Thomas Matich | Delaware Rural Water Association

    Training Specialist

    Thomas advised organizations on how to integrate GIS into their operational processes to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
  • 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.
Previous
Next
Previous
Next
Previous
Next
Previous
Next

Help nominate the next Esri water GIS hero

Click here to describe someone you know who uses GIS to create innovative solutions and inspire others.

Nominate a water GIS hero