2026 Winter Conference Agenda

[Option 1] Navigating State Regulations, A Local Government Perspective
How do local governments navigate Florida’s water quality regulations and work effectively? This pre-conference workshop brings the local perspective to the table, exploring watershed modeling, water quality assessments, permits, and BMP performance. Hear practical lessons and real-world experiences from professionals working through the challenges of regulation, coordination, and implementation.

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
(2.0 PDHs)
 

[Option 2] Laws, Rules and Ethics for Professional Engineers
The course is designed so that the attendees will complete the current continuing education requirements for members in the engineering profession.  It will fulfill the one-hour requirement on “Laws and Rules” and the one-hour requirement for “Ethics.”  (Provider #04636 - Grossman, Furlow and Bayó). 

Ed Bayó, Partner
Grossman, Furlow & Bayó

8:45 AM – 10:00 AM
(1.25 PDHs)

Welcome, Opening Remarks, & FSA Educational Foundation Scholarship Awards

Welcome, Opening Remarks
    Danielle Hopkins, Executive Director
    Florida Stormwater Association
    
    Mark Heidecker, President
    Florida Stormwater Association (City of Tallahassee)    

FSA Update: A New Era, State Leadership Changes as We Head into 2027
Florida enters a new era of state leadership, with a new Governor and new leadership in both the Florida House and Senate. This session will explore the changes in the political landscape, impacts of district changes, and potential new goals and directions we may see during the 2027 Legislative Session.
    Kevin Coyne, Director of Regulatory Affairs
    Florida Stormwater Association 

FSA Educational Foundation Scholarship Awards
    Charlottte Haberstroh, Chair
    Florida Stormwater Association Educational Foundation (Black & Veatch)

01 - One County's Stormwater Utility: Data, Rates, And Outreach
Orange County's Stormwater Utility Phase 2 Evaluation is shaping a transparent, data-driven approach to stormwater funding. This session explores impervious area analysis, rate structure development, capital improvement prioritization, and community outreach strategies that support long-term utility sustainability and resilient infrastructure planning.

Julie Bortles, Project Manager
Orange County

Heather Hyde, PE, CFM, Project Manager
CDM Smith

02 - Smart Resilience: Upgrading Stormwater Infrastructure
The City of Tampa is strengthening its stormwater pump stations through a comprehensive, systemwide resilience strategy. This session highlights generator implementation, smart technology integration, and targeted infrastructure upgrades that enhance reliability, improve emergency preparedness, and provide practical, scalable solutions for protecting critical stormwater assets.

Nick Charnas, PE, CFM, Vice President
Halff

Yuan Li, PE,MBA, Stormwater Services Director
City of Tampa

Jay Sysak, PE, Engineer III
City of Tampa

03 - Permitting Should Be Easier! Golden Gate Adaptation Story
Explore the challenges of upgrading the Golden Gate Stormwater Treatment Area as it adapts to the impacts of sea level rise. This session shares lessons learned from navigating unexpected permitting requirements, coordinating with regulatory agencies, and overcoming project hurdles while advancing critical resilience improvements.

Amy Eason, PE, Environmental Resource Engineer
Martin County Board of County Commissioners

Lee Mullon, PE, CFM, BC.WRE, PMP, Senior Principal Engineer
Drummond Carpenter

04 - When It Rains, It Supplies: Rethinking Stormwater Use
Discover how stormwater can serve as a valuable alternative water supply while helping reduce flood risk. This session examines practical approaches to yield estimation, modeling techniques, and regulatory considerations that support resilience, sustainable water resource planning and management.

Karen Liang, PE, CFM, Senior Engineer
Carollo Engineers

Angel Retana, PhD, PE, Principal Technologist
Carollo Engineers

05 - Weather Rapid Alert and Information Network (RAIN): A Countywide Flood Warning Solution
Broward County is enhancing public safety with the Rapid Alert and Information Network (RAIN), a near real-time roadway flood warning system. This session explores the development and implementation of RAIN, highlighting its role in improving emergency response, reducing travel disruptions, and strengthening community resilience to flooding.

Gregory Mount, PhD, Natural Resources Administrator
Broward County Public Works and Environmental Services Department

06 - Regional Thinking, Real Results: The Lake Harris Pond Project
Discover how a routine ditch restoration project evolved into a regional stormwater success story. This session highlights how the Florida Department of Transportation transformed an underutilized lakeside property into a 500-acre stormwater treatment facility by overcoming permitting, geotechnical, environmental, and funding challenges to deliver lasting water quality improvements for Lake Harris.

Michael Mills, VP, Director of Stormwater Resources
WGI

It’s time to relax!  So get comfortable and join us for snacks, drinks, and the chance to win a door prize.  This will be the final hour to visit FSA’s Exhibitors, be sure to stop by to learn more about Florida’s emerging stormwater technologies!

07 - Putting A Number On P!
Brevard County is using innovative modeling approaches to quantify phosphorus reductions from septic-to-sewer conversion projects. This session highlights the application of the ArcGIS-based ArcNLET-Py model to estimate parcel-level phosphate loading, evaluate implementation challenges, and develop a framework for expanding nutrient reduction strategies.

Anthony Gubler, MS, Lead
Brevard County

Geraldine Klarenberg, PhD, Senior Data Analyst
Applied Ecology

Claudia Listopad, PhD, President
Applied Ecology

08 - Flooding In Florida: How You Can Help Improve Resilience
The Florida Flood Hub is advancing flood resilience by providing critical flood risk information and resources to Florida practitioners, communities, and state agencies. This session highlights current initiatives focused on improving resilience, expanding knowledge, and engaging stakeholders in the development of future flood solutions.

Amanda Barroso, PhD, Scientific Liason
Florida Flood Hub

Brooke Longval, PhD, Scientific Liaison
Florida Flood Hub

09 - HEC-RAS 7 vs. StormWise: Evaluating Urban Stormwater Modeling
Explore the capabilities of two stormwater modeling platforms through Florida-based case studies with varying hydraulic conditions. This session compares workflows, pipe hydraulics, flood prediction methods, and computational performance using HEC-RAS 7 and StormWise, providing practitioners with insights into the strengths, limitations, and appropriate applications of each tool.

Ryan Londeen, PE, CFM, Senior Project Manager, Water Resources
Halff

Sam Sarkar, PE, PH, Advisor, Water Resources
Halff

Mark Troilo, PE, CFM, Senior Advisor, Water Resources
Halff