HEI’s Conference Presentations: Nov-Dec 2025

As autumn unfolds, HEI’s team members are stepping into the spotlight at top-tier conferences across the Midwest and beyond. Our experts are preparing to present at leading conferences, sharing stories of collaboration, creativity, and success. We invite you to discover how our team is driving progress, sharing insights, and shaping the future of our industries.

We’ll also be hosting booths at several of these events; visit our team to learn more about our services or what it’s like working at HEI if you’re interested in exploring a career with our growing company. Keep scrolling to see what’s ahead and how you can engage with us.

Joint Fall Conference: NWEA|SWANA|NSAWWA|APWA

HEI has 2 presentations at this joint conference. Several Nebraska chapter organizations are hosting this conference November 4-6 in Kearney, NE. Learn more on the event website. 

1. Mechanics of Asset Management
   • Presented by: Bob Gregalunas (HEI) and Bret Zimmerman (HEI)
   • When: Tuesday, November 4 at 3:00 pm
2. From Crisis to Protection: the Minot Water Treatment Plant Flood Protection Story
   • Presented by: Alan Kemmet (HEI)
   • When: Wednesday, November 5 at 8:00 am

NALMS 45th International Symposium

HEI’s Moriya Rufer is delivering 2 presentations and moderating 1 session at this conference. The North American Lakes Management Society (NALMS) is hosting this conference November 4-7 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Learn more on the event website. 

1. Randomized Voluntary Assessment of Private Well Water Quality in the Pelican Group of Lakes Improvement District
   • When: Wednesday, November 5 at 10:30 am
2. Diagnosing the Impairment of Lake Osakis Using Multiple Lines of Inference
   • When: Wednesday, November 5 at 1:30 pm
3. Climate/Stormwater/Hydrology – Moderator session
   • When: Wednesday, November 5 at 3:30 pm

IFSMA Fall Conference

HEI has 1 presentation at this conference. The Iowa Floodplain and Stormwater Management Association (IFSMA) is hosting this conference November 6 in Ankeny, IA. Learn more on the event website.

1. Enhancing Dam Safety in Iowa: A Comprehensive Risk Assessment and Prioritization Strategy
   • Presented by: Mark Jacobs (HEI) and Casey Welty (Iowa Department of Natural Resources)
   • When: Thursday, November 6 at 2:15 pm

MNAFPM Conference

HEI has 4 presentations and are moderating 1 session at this conference. The Minnesota Association of Floodplain Management (MNAFPM) is hosting this conference November 12-14 in Saint Cloud, MN. Learn more on the event website.

1. Training: SWMM Modeling Software Roundtable
   • Moderator: Bret Zimmerman (HEI)
   • When: Wednesday, November 12 at 10:00 am
2. Investing in Change: The Evolution and Resilience of District Wide Models
   • Presented by: Chris Otterness (HEI) and Nick Tomczik (Rice Creek Watershed District)
   • When: Thursday, November 13 9:45 am
3. Storms of Tomorrow: Modeling for Climate Resiliency When the Sky’s the Limit
   • Presented by: Cait Caswell (HEI)
   • When: Thursday, November 13 at 9:45 am
4. Floodplains, Drainage, and Wetlands Can Co-exist: A Deepwater Wetland Restoration Story
   • Presented by: Adam Nies (HEI)
   • When: Thursday, November 13 at 1:15 pm
5. Flood Mitigation: It’s More than Surface Water
   • Presented by: Vienne Guncheon (HEI) and Lisa Odens (HEI)
   • When: Thursday, November 13 at 1:15 pm

Sustainable Agriculture Summit

HEI and our partners are leading 1 breakout session at this national conference held November 18-20 in Anaheim, CA. Learn more on the event website.

1. Leveraging Corporate, Farmer, and Conservation Collaboration to Expand Regenerative Practices
   • Presented by: Malu Menon (The Nature Conservancy), Paige Frautschy (The Nature Conservancy), Drew Kessler (HEI), Adam Herges (The Mosaic Company), and Chuck White (Northwest Ag Stewardship Alliance)
   • When: Wednesday, November 19 at 3:30 pm

MASWCD Annual Conference

HEI and our SWCD partners are leading 2 breakout sessions at this conference. The Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) is hosting this conference December 1-3 in Bloomington, MN. Learn more on the event website.

1. Lessons Learned from 1W1P Mid-Point Evaluations and Amendments: Sharing Stories from Four SWCDs
   • Presented by: Melissa Barrick (Crow Wing SWCD); Dana Gutzmann (Cass SWCD); Arlyn Gehrke (Rock SWCD); Peter Nelson (Pennington SWCD); Julie Westerlund (BWSR); Rachel Olm and Moriya Rufer (HEI)
   • When: Tuesday, December 2 at 2:00 pm
2. Impacts of Forest Cover on Water Quality 
   • Presented by: Andy Arens (Itasca SWCD) and Moriya Rufer (HEI)
   • When: Tuesday, December 2 at 3:30 pm

MN Watersheds Annual Conference 

HEI and our watershed district partners are leading several sessions at this conference being held December 3-5 in Nisswa, MN. Learn more on the event website. 

1. Drainage System Right of Way Challenges
   • Presented by: Chris Otterness (HEI) and John Kolb (Rinke Noonan)
   • When: Wednesday, December 3 during the Drainage Workshop
2. Flash Talk *New this year *
   • Presented by: HEI’s team
   • When: Wednesday, December 3 at 6:15 pm
3. Diagnosing the Impairment of Lake Osakis Using Multiple Lines of Inference
   • Presented by: Jon Roeschlein (Sauk River Watershed District), Drew Kessler (HEI), Scott Kronholm (HEI), and Bret Zimmerman (HEI)
   • When: Thursday, December 4 at 8:00 am
4. Nelson Slough Improvement Project – Partnering with Diverse Needs
   • Presented by: Morteza Maher (Middle-Snake-Tamarac Rivers Watershed District), Tony Nordby (HEI) and Nicholas Brown (Minnesota DNR)
   • When: Thursday, December 4 at 8:45 am
5. Use of New GIS Tools to Prioritize and Plan for Water Storage in Your Watershed
   • Presented by: Henry Van Offelen (MN Board of Water and Soil Resources) and Scott Kronholm (HEI)
   • When: Thursday, December 4 at 10:15 am
6. Lessons Learned from Two 1W1P Mid-Point Evaluations and Amendments: A Red Lake Watershed District Case Study
   • Presented by: Corey Hanson (Red Lake Watershed District) and Rachel Olm (HEI)
   • When: Thursday, December 4 at 4:45 pm