Blue Water Webinar: Safety, ACE26 Insights and Real-World Utility Modernization

Craig Hannah, P.E., is the Engineering Manager for Johnson Controls’ Water Team. He chairs the AWWA Water Meters and Flowmeters Committee, and he is a George Anderson Award recipient. Craig is a past Chair of the AWWA Customer Metering Practices Committee, and he serves on the AWWA Water Loss Control Committee. He is a co-author of the AWWA M6, M22, and M36 Manuals. Craig has a BS in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M and a MA from Texas Tech. He has 24 years’ experience in the water industry.

Gary Smith, P.E. is the Executive Director for Texarkana Water Utility (TWU). Smith has been employed by TWU since July 2003. He started as the Design Engineer before becoming the Director of Operations & Maintenance and then the Assistant Director. Smith has been serving as Interim Executive Director of TWU since September of 2021 when the position was vacated by the retirement of J.D. Phillips.

Prior to TWU, Smith worked for John E. Hawkins & Associates Engineering Company where he served in various management positions including manager of the Texarkana office. Before joining John E. Hawkins & Associates, Smith worked for the Texas Highway & Transportation Department as a design engineer. Most recently, Smith was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineers and serves on the Texas Municipal Utility Association Board of Directors. Smith has over 35 years of experience in the water/wastewater industry. He earned a BS degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas.

Troy Daffern, the Field Supervisor for Texarkana Water Utilities, has been recognized for his exceptional dedication to ensuring the community has access to clean, safe drinking water. His unwavering commitment to public service has earned him the prestigious Operator Meritorious Service Award from the American Water Works Association. This esteemed award honors individuals who go above and beyond their normal responsibilities to serve the public.

Daffern is known not only for his professional excellence but also for his generosity and willingness to assist those in need. His dedication extends far beyond Texarkana USA, as he uses his personal vacation time to travel to impoverished countries to help construct simple and reliable water wells. Through these efforts, he has made a significant impact by providing clean and safe drinking water to communities that lack this essential resource.

His selfless contributions and commitment to water quality and accessibility make him a true asset to the water industry. Troy Daffern’s work exemplifies the highest standards of service and dedication, inspiring others to follow his lead in making a difference in the world.

Kenny is the Assistant Director of Operations at Texarkana Water Utilities, where he oversees Water Production, Pollution Control, Field Operations, Fleet Services, Environmental Services, and Engineering. Since joining the utility in 2017 as a Design Engineer, he has led the planning, design, and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Texarkana, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas, including improvements to water and wastewater treatment facilities. With a strong background in engineering, operations, environmental services, and project management, Ken is dedicated to ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient utility services for the communities served by Texarkana Water Utilities.

Jonathan Gunn serves as a project development engineer on the Johnson Controls Water Services team and has 17 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University and a master's degree in business from the University of Rochester. Jon is the former chair of the AWWA Customer Metering Practices Committee, former chair of the AWWA C712 subcommittee, and currently serves as a division trustee of the AWWA Small Systems Division. Jon is also a member of the AWWA Water Loss Control committee and serves as a co-author for the AWWA M6, M22, and M36 manuals.

Audrey Noel is both the Director of the Water Infrastructure Technology Team and the national installation manager for Johnson Controls Water Team, orchestrating utility metering installations and AMI system projects across the United States.   Audrey has decades of operational experience, and 10 years of water industry experience.  Audrey is the current Chair of the AWWA Customer Metering Practices Committee, and she earned a Juris Doctorate with an emphasis in environmental law from the UMKC School of Law.