Defining the 811 Centers' role in reducing damages

July 10th, 2025 || 10:30 - 11:30 AM CDT

For many years, 811 executives and board members debated the highest and best use of an 811 system. Was it just to take calls and notify utility members or did the industry need it to be an advocate for reducing damages? Because of its unique position, being neither utility nor excavator, it thrives in a neutral environment. Can this position of neutrality allow the contact center to reduce conflicts, coordinate communication and lead legislative efforts for more effective damage prevention programs. Finally, do stakeholders trust their 811 center to take on that role?

Moderator:
Bill Turner, President, Tennessee 811

Panelists:

Jim Collins, Duke Energy

Craig Hardin, Congruex
Annette Bowman, Alabama 811

Tim Vaughn, Kentucky 811

How many financial and safety risks are created because we don't know which utilities are abandoned and which are active?

July 9th, 2026 || 10:30 - 11:30 AM CDT

Moderator:
Jemmie Wang, Partner, BizMetrix, LLC

Panel Members:

Bob Basques, Technical Director, SharedGeo

Abandoned utilities are not just a mapping problem—they are an uncertainty problem. How do we reduce that uncertainty? The problem is not simply that abandoned facilities exist. The problem is that stakeholders often don't know: where they are; what they are; whether they are truly abandoned and finally who owns them. This uncertainty creates risk. As the industry continues its transition toward accurate GIS, digital locates, positive response improvements, and stronger damage prevention practices, abandoned facilities represent one of the largest gaps between what is in the ground and what is in the records.

Mike Sullivan

Utility Safety Partners

President

Jeff Mulligan

ASTEC Safety Inc.

Chief Operating Officer

Debbie Shelley

Global Training Centre

CEO - Director of Training

Cliff Meidl

Cliff Meidl Enterprises, LLC

President

These Town Hall meetings have been great! I am pretty sure I have never seen less than 100 people on any of these calls. People from all walks of life tied to Damage Prevention are on these calls and there are always good collaboration going on! Personally, I have picked up a good idea from every town hall meeting. 😉

Raymond Sonnier, Louisiana 811

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Enforcement vs. Effective Enforcement

May 8th, 2025 || 10:30 - 11:30 AM CDT

Enforcement is nothing more than the basic act of making sure people adhere to a set of rules or laws to be compliant. Whereas effective enforcement goes beyond compliance and penalties. It involves strategies and practices designed to achieve desired outcomes. If you can't tell me your strategy, your enforcement may not be effective.

Moderator:
David Appelbaum, Senior Transportation Specialist, PHMSA

Panelists:
Matt Smith, Assistant Director Safety and Reliability Division, Illinois Commerce Commission
Annette Bowman, Executive Director, Alabama 811
Kyle Coggins, Director of Operations, CenterPoint Energy
Shane Alexander, Director of Damage Prevention, Public Awareness & Meter Reading, CenterPoint Energy