TRACK 2, DAY 1
Panel: Watercourse Management in an Era of Asset Management
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Hall F
ABSTRACT
Watercourses are vital to both our natural systems and the communities they flow through, while presenting unique challenges and opportunities.
Balancing the protection of human activity from watercourse risks, while safeguarding watercourses from human impacts, requires collaboration between municipalities, conservation authorities, engineers, and contractors.
This panel discussion brings together professionals with a wealth of working knowledge from across the GTA to explore innovative approaches to planning, designing, and constructing solutions that manage these complex relationships.
Join us for an engaging conversation about the evolving practices that shape safe, sustainable, and resilient watercourse management.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS
David Gingerich, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Dave leads an excellent group of professionals as the Associate Director of Erosion Risk Management at TRCA. The team continues to build on their strong foundation of project implementation and program development by providing solutions that protect erosion vulnerable assets using innovative data collection and geospatial hazard analysis.
Matt Johnston, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Matt has more than 10 years of experience implementing remedial erosion control projects and programs to protect infrastructure and property across the GTA. Currently, Matt is TRCA’s Senior Manager of the Project Management Office, which oversees flood protection and trail development projects in addition to developing business processes for project delivery.
Beth Williston, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Beth is the Associate Director of Infrastructure Planning and Permits with TRCA. She has worked as an environmental planner with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for the past 35 years.
She has worked as a conservation land management planner, watershed planner, and as a development review planner. Currently, Beth establishes and manages partnerships with infrastructure builders from across the GTA and ensures her department provides streamlined review of projects and permits through the environmental assessment and TRCA regulatory review processes.
Beth holds a degree in Geography, with a specialization in Urban Development from the University of Western Ontario. Beth is also President of the Ontario Association of Impact Assessment (OAIA).
Bill Snodgrass, City of Toronto (retired)
George Zeppieri, Dynex Construction
George Zeppieri is Founder and President of Dynex Construction Inc., which was incorporated in 1989.
George oversees municipal, private, and design build projects throughout Southern Ontario in the erosion, stormwater, and municipal infrastructure projects.
George was a member of the CSA Technical Committee, for the CSA Canadian National Standard for Erosion and Sediment Control Installation and Maintenance Manual.
Robert Amos, Aquafor Beech Ltd.
Robert Amos is a water resources engineer and fluvial geomorphologist specializing in the restoration of degraded natural channel systems within confined urban corridors to mitigate erosion and flooding related risks to infrastructure and private property.
He has more than 15 years of professional experience, has completed more than 100 erosion control and stream restoration projects, and currently serves as the CEO of Aquafor in Ontario, Canada.