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 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.

Pilar Yager | Santa Margarita Water District

As Santa Margarita Water District’s (SMWD) first GIS professional, Pilar has developed and expanded the district’s GIS to manage over 196,000 assets across the service area. 

She has played a key role in streamlining GIS-CAD integration, enhancing field reporting, and supporting essential projects, such as land classification for billing and compliance. Pilar’s expertise has advanced SMWD’s GIS capabilities, improving operational efficiency and delivering valuable insights.

Pilar Yager smiling overlaid on a blue and purple background
With nearly 20 years at SMWD, Pilar’s focus on GIS has fueled her dedication to lifelong learning and problem-solving. Her expertise has significantly enhanced productivity for SMWD’s operations and field teams. Pilar spearheaded the district’s transition to GIS, transforming paper maps into digital assets and creating mobile applications. Recently, she led efforts to position GIS as a foundational tool, supporting operations teams in meeting the new federal Lead and Copper Rule requirements.
Nate Adams
Director of Water Resiliency Customer Relations | Santa Margarita Water District

Past GIS heroes

  • 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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Who's the next Esri water GIS hero?

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

Nominate a water GIS hero