2026 Annual Conference Agenda

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 | PRE-CONFERENCE

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
[Registration Required]

[Pre-Conference  - Service Project 
Flying Creek Nature Preserve Stewardship Service Project
Join efforts to support the ecological health and long-term sustainability of Fairhope’s Flying Creek Nature Preserve. Volunteers will participate in hands-on conservation work that may include habitat restoration, native plant support, or land stewardship activities aimed at improving biodiversity and protecting natural resources within this 108-acre preserve. Tasks will contribute to maintaining healthy ecosystems, enhancing wildlife habitat, and strengthening the preserve’s role as a space for conservation, education, and community enjoyment. This is a meaningful opportunity to actively care for a treasured natural area while supporting ongoing environmental restoration efforts. All project materials will be provided, there is no cost to participate, however, advance registration is required.

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Registration Desk Open
Room: Dogwood Foyer

12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
[Additional Fee, Registration Required]

[Pre-Conference - Tour]  
Room: Meet near SESWA Registration Desk/Dogwood Foyer
Nature Based Solutions-Low Impact Development Projects Tour
Join the Alabama Storm Water Association and Baldwin County, Alabama on an informative bus tour highlighting a range of stormwater and water quality efforts. The Pre-Conference Tour offers a unique opportunity to see the County's initiatives firsthand while enjoying the region’s beautiful landscapes. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable insight into how stormwater is managed and to better understand the importance of water quality in our community. Seats are limited, and we anticipate the tour will fill quickly. Transportation is provided and will depart promptly from the hotel at 12:30 p.m. Central Time and will return no later than 3:00 p.m. Central Time.  Please dress casually and wear comfortable shoes. 

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
[Additional Fee, Registration Required]
2.00 credits

[Pre-Conference Workshop]
Room: Magnolia Ballroom
Leveraging AI and Emerging Technologies for Smarter Infrastructure and Compliance
Artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies are transforming how stormwater programs collect data, assess infrastructure, and support decision-making. This pre-conference workshop will provide a practical introduction to AI fundamentals, including machine learning, automation, and data analytics, along with key limitations and policy considerations. Presenters will highlight real-world stormwater applications such as infrastructure inventory development, condition assessments, flood prediction, and situational awareness. Case studies and panel discussions will explore implementation challenges, organizational readiness, and opportunities for responsible AI integration in local government and utility operations. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how AI can improve efficiency, enhance infrastructure management, and support stormwater planning and operations.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2026 | REGULAR CONFERENCE

7:30 a.m. - 4:50 p.m.

Registration Desk Open
Location: Dogwood Foyer

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Breakfast (meal ticket required)
Location: Grand Ballroom North

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
(General Session)
1.50 credits

Welcome, Opening Address, & Student Scholarships
Room: Magnolia Ballroom 
          John Butler, SESWA President
          Gwinnet County, GA

          Keynote:  Mark Berte, Executive Director
          Alabama Coastal Foundation

Break in Exhibit Hall (badge required)
Room: Grand Ballroom North

[01] Track A – Bioretention Repair, Retrofit, and Reconnection at Lakeside Park
Room: Magnolia Ballroom 
Three oversized bioretention cells had become overgrown and disconnected from a heavily used park, limiting their function and visibility. This presentation highlights the restoration, added stormwater routing, and water quality improvements through a new permeable Low Impact Development (LID) trail. In partnership with a nearby high school, the project also became a living classroom, with students contributing to inspections, learning activities, and signage, while performance monitoring tracked results before and after improvements.
               Robert Brown, PE, PhD, Sr. Water Resources Engineer
               Goodwyn Mills Cawood

               Katie-Beth Jennings, CFM, Stormwater Compliance Manager
               Columbia County, GA

               Rachael Osborne, ATEEG, Environmental Manager
               Columbia County, GA

[02] Track B – From Permit To Prosperity: Aligning Stormwater Programs with Community Development Goals
Room: Grand Ballroom South
MS4 compliance doesn’t have to slow growth, it can actively drive it. The City of Lawrenceville, Georgia transformed stormwater from a perceived barrier into a catalyst for downtown revitalization, demonstrating how regulatory requirements can be reimagined as opportunity. Through early collaboration and smart integration of stormwater best practices, the City has turned compliance into a framework supporting a vibrant downtown destination, an active event calendar, public education opportunities, and long-term resilience - all while fully meeting permit requirements. 
                Madison Smith, Stormwater Coordinator
               City of Lawrenceville, GA

                Jasmine Jackson, Director of Community and Economic Development
               City of Lawrenceville, GA

11:20 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
0.75 credits

[03] Track A – Unlocking Storage In Existing Ponds Using CMAC: The Lake Sal Case Study 
Room: Magnolia Ballroom
Faced with flooding challenges and the high cost of traditional upgrades, the project team at the 11-acre Lake Sal in Statesboro, Georgia turned to continuous monitoring and adaptive control (CMAC) to unlock untapped storage within an existing pond. This presentation showcases how forecast-informed drawdown was used to proactively manage water levels and improve system performance. Through this real-world case study, attendees will gain insights into the modeling approach, key design considerations, and practical lessons learned – demonstrating how innovative, data-driven strategies can deliver cost-effective flood mitigation.
               Matt Vajdic, Senior Solution Engineer
               OptiRTC

                Rob Brown, PE, PhD, Senior Water Resources Engineer
               Goodwyn Mills Cawood

                Marcos Trejo, PE, Assistant Director of Public Works
               City of Statesboro, GA

[04] Track B – Reconnecting A Community: The Design of the Hollice T. Williams Stormwater Park Project
Room: Grand Ballroom South
This presentation will highlight the civil and stormwater design of the Hollice T. Williams Stormwater Park located in Pensacola, Florida, showcasing how technical innovation and community vision came together to shape a multifunctional public space. Attendees will gain insight into the community-driven engagement process that guided the project, as well as key lessons learned throughout the effort, from design challenges to implementation strategies. Discover how collaboration and thoughtful engineering can transform stormwater infrastructure into a valued community asset.
               Amanda Taylor, Project Engineer
               Geosyntec Consultants

12:05 p.m. - 1:05 p.m.

Lunch Break (meal ticket required)
Location: Grand Ballroom North

[05] Track A – From Data to Decisions: Utilizing Microbial Source Tracking to Guide Compliance
Room: Magnolia Ballroom
In South Carolina’s Lowcountry, the Town of Bluffton turned a water quality crisis into a model for action after the May River’s shellfish waters were downgraded. Partnering with Beaufort County, community stakeholders, and the University of South Carolina, the Town developed an innovative, science-driven response. This presentation highlights how Microbial Source Tracking (MST) and regional collaboration helped identify pollution sources, meet NPDES requirements, and drive solutions, from public outreach to infrastructure improvements, showcasing how data and partnerships can protect and restore vital waterways.
               Andrea Moreno, CFM, Watershed Division Manager
               Town of Bluffton, SC

[06] Track B – Monitoring What Matters: Gauges As a First Line of Defense for Critical Infrastructure
Room: Grand Ballroom South
Flooding doesn’t wait and neither can our response. Go behind the scenes of North Carolina’s rapid statewide flood gauge deployment launched after major disasters, including Hurricane Helene. See how real time water level data is delivering actionable intelligence to protect roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure when every minute counts.
               Leah Young, PE, Regional Practice Leader
               KCI Technologies      

[07] Track A – Bacteria Reduction Strategies to Meet Watershed Goals: Insights From Across the Southeast
Room: Magnolia Ballroom
Reducing bacteria in surface waters requires both precision and strategy. This presentation explores effective approaches at the site and watershed scale, from microbial source tracking (MST) to targeted solutions like UV treatment and public education campaigns. Through real-world case studies, attendees will gain practical insights into identifying sources, reducing pollution, and making meaningful progress toward TMDLs and watershed planning goals.
               Alessandra Braswell, PhD, PE, Principal
               Geosyntec Consultants

[08] Track B – At The State Line: Practical Flood Adaptation Lessons for Coastal Communities
Room: Grand Ballroom South
At the Florida Georgia line, the City of Fernandina Beach, Florida offers a powerful model for turning flood risk into action. This session highlights how a barrier island community transformed a data driven Vulnerability Assessment into an Adaptation Plan with 17 strategies and more than 70 actions addressing tidal flooding, storm surge, rainfall, and sea level rise. Learn practical approaches for prioritization, engagement, and coordination to move from planning to fundable, implementable solutions.
               Sean Lahav, MPA, WEDG, Associate Vice President, Resilience Market Leader
               Halff

Break in Exhibit Hall (badge required)
Room: Grand Ballroom North

3:10 p.m. - 3:55 p.m.
0.75 credits

[09] Track A – One County’s Approach in Reducing Industrial Water Quality Impact in Urban Streams
Room: Magnolia Ballroom
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina leverages a robust Illicit Discharge Detection Elimination (IDDE) program to address surface water pollution, including impacts from industrial facilities. Using historical records and water quality data, the County prioritizes facilities for inspection and evaluates compliance across local, state, and federal requirements. This presentation explores the prioritization process, inspection methods, and case studies from select industries, offering practical insight into effective industrial stormwater oversight.
               Kathryn Little, Environmental Specialist II
               Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater Services, NC

[10] Track B – Track B: Stormwater Research At the Auburn University - Stormwater Research Facility
Room: Grand Ballroom South
The Southeast faces growing challenges in stormwater management, from rapid urbanization to increasing regulatory demands. This session highlights how field testing and interdisciplinary research at Auburn’s Stormwater Research Facility are advancing best practices, shaping standards, and helping professionals across the region protect water quality and build more resilient stormwater infrastructure.
               Wes Donald, PhD, Research Fellow IV
               Auburn University

[11] Track A – Improving Stormwater Program Effectiveness Through Construction and BMP Workflows
Room: Magnolia Ballroom
The City of Aiken, South Carolina is strengthening stormwater program effectiveness by modernizing construction and post-construction workflows. This session shares practical lessons from implementation, including how centralized processes for inspections, Best Management Practice (BMP) documentation, maintenance tracking, and follow-up can improve compliance, support long-term planning, demonstrate operational return on investment (ROI), and ensure stronger continuity for future staff and program leadership.
               Tracy Mitchell, EIT, CFM, Assistant City Engineer, Environmental
               City of Aiken, SC

                Lance Miller, Account Executive
               2NDNATURE Software

[12] Track B – Learning Lessons at the Library: Grayson Library GI Retrofit
Room: Grand Ballroom South
Gwinnett County, Georgia transformed the Grayson Library property into a living example of green infrastructure in action. Designed to advance basin-wide water quality goals, the site now features a pocket wetland, enhanced swales, an outdoor classroom deck, and a community garden. This session highlights how the project blends stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) treatment trains with public space improvements, while also serving as a real-world testing ground for BMP performance and future monitoring opportunities.
               Rafael Lawrence, PE, Senior Project Manager
               Ardurra Group

                Jeffery Holland, PE, CFM, Stormwater Section Manager
               Gwinnett County, GA

Southeast Stormwater Association Annual Member Meeting and the Election of Board of Directors and Officers
Room: Magnolia Ballroom

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026 / REGULAR CONFERENCE

8:00 a.m. - 10:55 a.m.

Registration Desk Open
Location: Dogwood Foyer

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Breakfast (meal ticket required) 
Location: Grand Ballroom North

8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
0.75 credits

[13] Track A – H2-Oh No! Lessons From IDDE Case Studies 
Room: Magnolia Ballroom 
Explore dynamic Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) case studies that showcase a range of approaches to detecting and eliminating illicit discharges. This presentation highlights program implementation at different stages, the cross-utilization of inspectors, and how collaboration and adaptive strategies improve efficiency and support MS4 permit compliance.
               Danielle Schwanke, Project Engineer
               RK&K

                Jessica Krueger, PE, Project Manager
               RK&K

[14] Track B – Partnering tor Progress: Strengthening Stormwater Programs Through Collaboration
Room: Grand Ballroom South
Drawing on the Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas (RSPC) and its success across the Catawba, Yadkin, and Broad River Basins, this presentation brings together municipal leadership and nonprofit facilitation perspectives to show how collaboration strengthens programs, expands capacity, and supports effective, community focused stormwater management.
             Kari Raburn, PhD, Facilitation Project Manager
             Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas 

              Danon Lawson, Stormwater Administrator
              City of Gastonia, NC

             Regina Guyer, PE, Executive Director 
             Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas

[15] Track A – Modernizing Inlet Inspections and Maintenance to Advance MS4 and Asset Management Goals
Room: Magnolia Ballroom 
When the City of Charlotte, North Carolina renewed its NPDES MS4 permit in 2024, it faced enhanced requirements for inspecting and maintaining more than 80,000 municipal catch basins. In response, Charlotte modernized stormwater operations by implementing asset-level data collection integrated with GIS and Cityworks. This session highlights the transition of day-to-day operations from the Transportation Department to Storm Water Services, and the change management strategies that helped ensure a smooth, compliant, and data-driven transformation.
               Robert Jarzemsky, PE, Strategic Planning & Operations Division Manager
               Charlotte Storm Water Services, NC

[16] Track B – From Icon to Innovation: Historic 4th Ward Park and the Hunter Hills Refuge
Room: Grand Ballroom South
Atlanta’s iconic Historic 4th Ward Park showcases a nationally recognized approach to addressing combined sewer capacity challenges through nature based solutions. As with many heavily used urban parks, time and urban stressors have impacted its stormwater features and landscaping. This presentation explores the revitalization of the 15 year old park and provides an update on the innovative Environmental Impact Bond funded stream and floodplain restoration project in Proctor Creek.
               Cory Rayburn, PE, CFM, Senior Water Resources Engineer
               Jacobs

                Joseph Rigdon, Watershed Manager II/Senior Ecologist
               City of Atlanta, GA

                Stephen Brooks, PLA, Construction Manager II
               City of Atlanta, GA

[17] Federal Update and National Stormwater Trends
Room: Magnolia Ballroom 
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) will provide a timely update on water-related issues and the U.S. EPA’s stormwater program priorities at the national level. This session focuses on emerging stormwater policy and permitting developments, offering insight into regulatory direction, key challenges, and what to expect for programs moving forward.
             Matthew McKenna, Director of Government Affairs
             National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)

10:55 a.m.