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Esri Water GIS Heroes

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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.

Patrick Gross

GIS Manager

Patrick and his team have transformed GIS at the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) from a niche tool into the backbone of linear system asset management for GLWA's water transmission and wastewater conveyance systems.

Through targeted data and usability improvements, along with major system upgrades, Patrick increased the amount and quality of asset information captured, made critical reference documents available through GIS, delivered high-resolution aerial imagery and specialized applications, and streamlined the ability to link work orders to GIS assets.

Portrait of Patrick Gross smiling in a patterned blue collared shirt
Since joining GLWA in 2019, Patrick has consistently elevated our GIS practice into a trusted, reliable, and mission critical service. Through strengthening our foundational data, modernizing mapping applications, and integrating GIS across technology systems and operations, he transformed a previously underutilized capability into a system relied upon from frontline field crews all the way to our CEO. Before Patrick’s arrival, paper maps were often preferred over GIS. He completely changed that dynamic—today, the GIS environment he helped build is used 24/7 to support essential water and sewer operations, planning, and decision making.
Bryon Wood | Great Lakes Water Authority
Strategic Technology Officer

Past GIS heroes

  • Margil Garza Jr. smiling in a black collared shirt overlaid on a turquoise and blue graphic background
    GIS HERO SUMMER 2026

    Margil Garza Jr. | Sharyland Water Supply Corporation

    GIS Coordinator

    Garza's work has transformed how SWSC uses geospatial technology to support operations, asset management, and decision-making. He is currently pursuing an MBA to strengthen his leadership and business expertise.
  • Jason Hall smiling in business attire overlaid on a turquoise and blue graphic background
    GIS Hero Spring 2026

    Jason Hall | Clark County Water Reclamation District

    GIS Supervisor

    Jason drives innovation in wastewater treatment plant mapping, modernizes GIS infrastructure, and integrates new technology solutions.
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  • 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 SPRING 2025

    Gavin Runyon | Helix Water District

    GIS Analyst

    Gavin created apps that modernize workflows for outage management, pavement repair, and more.
  • Portrait of Emily Champagne
    GIS HERO WINTER 2025

    Emily Champagne | Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District

    Geospatial Manager

    Emily leads the Geospatial Services and Solutions department, where supports enterprise data management and system integrations.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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