2026 Conference Speakers
Lucas Bolander - Rex Vault Service
2026 OWPI Master of Ceremonies
2027 OWPI President
Chris Downing
Co-Owner - Imagemark Marketing & Advertising
Co-Owner - Dig In Digital
Chris Downing is the Co-Owner of Imagemark Marketing & Advertising and Dig In Digital, a division launched in 2024 by Chris, Aaron DeBuhr, and Kristy DeBuhr. With more than a decade of experience in digital marketing strategy and execution, Chris helps businesses grow through data-driven advertising, search optimization, and results-focused digital campaigns.
Chris founded the digital division of Imagemark in 2017, building the agency’s core infrastructure for Google Ads, SEO, and marketing automation. His process-oriented approach and deep technical expertise have helped clients streamline their marketing, strengthen their brands, and achieve measurable growth. Before entering the marketing industry, Chris served in the U.S. Navy as an Air Traffic Control Specialist and later as a Delivery Supervisor with the U.S. Postal Service; roles that sharpened his leadership, communication, and operational precision. Today, he brings that same discipline and strategic mindset to helping septic, sewer, and excavation companies build visibility and drive results in competitive markets.
Aaron DeBuhr
Co-Owner - Imagemark Marketing & Advertising
Co-Owner - Dig In Digital
Aaron DeBuhr is the Co-Owner of Imagemark Marketing & Advertising and Dig In Digital, a division launched in 2024 by Aaron, Kristy DeBuhr, and Chris Downing. With more than a decade of experience in strategic marketing and over 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Aaron brings a disciplined, results-focused approach to helping businesses grow through clear, effective marketing strategies.
The idea for Dig In Digital was born from the team’s decades-long partnership with organizations like Missouri 811 and the Missouri Common Ground Alliance, where they gained deep insight into the challenges and opportunities facing contractors, excavators, and utility professionals. Seeing how critical communication and visibility are in those industries, Aaron and his partners launched Dig In Digital to help septic, excavation, and construction companies build stronger brands, attract more customers, and simplify their marketing through data-driven solutions that actually work.
Aaron holds an MBA and combines his leadership experience, technical background, and creative strategy to deliver measurable results for clients across the Midwest.
Kurt Harris
United Rentals Trench Safety
I am currently a Territory Manager and Competent Person for Excavation Safety and Confined Space Entry trainer for United Rental Trench Safety St. Louis covering central and southern Illinois. My 12 years of experience in trench safety has allowed me to obtain the working knowledge of confined space entry and excavation safety practices. I have been teaching these classes for ten years and have trained more than 700 construction industry employees in Excavation Safety and Confined Space Entry (OSHA 1926 Sub Part P, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146, and 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart AA).
The presentation will be an excavation competent person overview highlighting points from the standard as well as the duties of the competent person, soils, and tabulated data.
Trooper Kyle DeGroot
Statewide Training Coordinator
Commercial Vehicle Section
Illinois State Police
Trooper Keith Cameron
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer
Illinois State Police
Roger Watwood
Southern Illinois Damage Prevention Manager
JULIE, Inc.
Roger Watwood is the Southern Illinois Damage Prevention Manager for JULIE, Inc., the Illinois One-Call Center. For more than 16 years, he’s led outreach campaigns and on-site safety training working with farmers, the excavation community, underground utilities, and the general public to raise awareness in Southern Illinois regarding the importance of calling 811 to have underground lines located and marked prior to starting projects that involved digging.
Prior to joining JULIE, Watwood worked for 15 years at the City of Marshall utility department which operates electric, gas, sewer, street, water, and communication facilities. He also spent several years working in the general construction and engineering industry. Roger holds an IEPA Class C Water operator certificate and an IEPA Class 3 Wastewater operator certificate.
Roger is going to go over changes to the JULIE protocols and update us on the recent changes to the JULIE law.
Chad Moorman
Program Director
Illinois Department of Public Health
Chad Moorman is the Private Sewage Disposal Program Manager for the State of Illinois, within the Illinois Department of Public Health. He is a Licensed Environmental Health Practitioner. He began his career as a sanitarian with the Sangamon County Health Department in August 1996. On January 2, 2003, He started working at the Illinois Department of Public Health. He has over 28 years of experience working within the Private Sewage Disposal Program and public health.
Chad will administer the Installer, Pumper, and Portable Sanitation license exam. The exam will be held on Tuesday, January 27th at 9:00 a.m. in the Illini Room at the Gateway Convention Center. Those wishing to take the exam MUST register with the IDPH and
have the application post marked no later than December 26, 2025. NO EXCEPTIONS.
In addition, Chad will discuss potential updates and answer questions pertaining to the IDPH and the sewage code. Chad will be present during the entire conference. Take this
opportunity to meet Chad and ask questions you may have regarding the IDPH and the State of Illinois Sewage Code.
Onsite Wastewater
Professionals of Illinois
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