Convention | Agenda | Hotel | Speakers
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Staying on Top of AI
Andrew Louder - LouderAI
As a business leader, staying on top of Artificial Intelligence - and knowing how it can meaningfully improve your business - can be challenging. MIT says 95% of companies investing in AI have failed to reach a return on investment. This AI Keynote and Workshop is designed to cut through the noise and provide practical, applicable guidance that organizations can act on quickly to successfully implement AI. Delivered in person, the session combines foundational AI education with real-world examples and interactive discussion to help attendees understand where AI can drive productivity, efficiency, and profitability.
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Andrew Louder is the Founder and CEO of LouderAI, a Dallas-based consultancy helping organizations unlock exponential growth through operational excellence and applied Artificial Intelligence.
With more than 20 years of experience in management consulting, Andrew began his career at KPMG and EY in their Strategy & Operations practices, advising major clients such as AT&T and Bank of America. His work centers on transforming how companies operate — making data, processes, and people more effective through the power of AI.
A recognized leader and innovator, Andrew was named a Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and has been recognized as a Top Vistage Speaker for both 2023 and 2024. Under his leadership, LouderAI (formerly Louder Co.) ranked #23 on the 2023 Aggie 100, highlighting the fastest-growing companies led by Texas A&M alumni.
Andrew is also a proud member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, supporting the Momentous Institute’s mission to strengthen kids and families through education and mental health services.
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He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and lives in Flower Mound with his wife and their three children. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, coaching youth baseball, and spending time with his family.
Put HR to Work for YOU!
Vance Adams, Delta Administrative Services
Vance Adams is a seasoned B2C and B2B sales and marketing professional with more than 25 years of experience building strong local and national relationships.
He got his start selling CUTCO cutlery to help pay for college, later leading a 30-person team that sold over $100,000 in just four months. While living in Las Vegas, Vance joined the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce as Senior Account Executive, where his passion for connecting people helped set national membership sales records for more than a decade and contributed to the Chamber becoming the 3rd largest in the country.
Today, Vance brings that same enthusiasm to Delta Administrative Services, where he helps business owners spend less time in the business and more time on it—by improving operations in HR, payroll, benefits, workers’ comp, and human capital management.
Active in the business community, Vance stays involved with local Chambers of Commerce, NOLA SHRM, LA. Society of CPAs, the Affiliated States Bottled Water Association and other professional groups. He believes relationships are built on integrity and understands that people deal with people they know, like & trust, thus his favorite quote by Warren Buffet, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
The Family Multi-Generational Bottled Water Business
A multi-generational company-led team has the advantage of diverse perspectives. A workforce spanning different generations fosters innovation, allowing for a mix of established, high-quality standards and new, creative solutions for modern market challenges. By focusing on these pillars, a multi-generational bottled water company can maintain a strong reputation while adapting to the environmental and consumer demands of the future.
Long-term success depends on balancing traditional quality standards with modern sustainability practices, regulatory compliance, and brand evolution to meet shifting consumer demands.
Two long-standing multi-generational companies will share their insights, experience, and wins as the focus on areas such as protecting water sources for future viability, investing in advanced purification, and adopting eco-conscious packaging trends, among others.
Malone Garrett, Nantze Springs
F. Malone Garrett is the President/CEO of Nantze Springs, Inc. based in Dothan, AL and a bottling facility in Arlington, GA. With over 35 years in the industry, Malone has been involved with the Southeastern Bottled Water Association, previously the Florida Bottled Water Association, for all those years serving as the associations President numerous times. Also in the industry, Malone served on the board and the executive Board of Allied Purchasing for over 10 years and was a QCS board member and currently serves on the bottled water committee for QCS. Malone holds a BA from Auburn University where he was a member of PI KAPPA ALPHA social fraternity, and an MBA from Troy University with his thesis being on Bottled Water. He currently serves on the board of the Houston County Port Authority and is a previous Elder at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. Malone and his wife Kathy have been married for 35 years and have three adult children, Iverson, Jack, and Amelia. When not working, Malone enjoys anything outdoors, loves spending time with his family and is a die-Hard Georgia Dawg fan.
Iverson Garrett, Nantze Springs
Iverson Garrett, at the young age of 32, has been in the bottled water industry the biggest part of his life. He started working for his father and grandfather at a very young age, doing everything from loading route trucks and trailers to running equipment in the plant.
Iverson is happily married to Kate Falcon and the two live just outside of Dothan AL. They often commute to Nashville, TN as Kate is an aspiring singer/songwriter. Iverson attended Auburn University and he enjoys spending his free time doing motocross (dirtbikes and a closed course track), traveling to watch his wife sing, and hunting.
Steve Raupe, Ozarka Drinking Water
Steve Raupe is CEO of Ozarka Water and Coffee Service, second generation. He was born and raised in Oklahoma City and has been involved in the business all his life. He was named president of Ozarka in 1992 and took over as CEO when his father died in 1998. Steve graduated from The University of Oklahoma in 1988 with a bachelor’s in finance. Past civic involvement includes Better Business Bureau, past board member; YMCA, past board member; American Heart Association, past chairman; International Bottled Water Association, past chairman; Texas Bottled Water Association, past president. Steve is currently a gold member of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Steve is married to Susan and is the parent of four children, Justin; Ashley; Tyler; and Evan.
PFAS: What's New and What You Must Know!
Dr. Jessica Ray, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 15,000 different compounds with high thermal and chemical stability due to their carbon–fluorine bonds. Because of these chemical properties, PFAS have been widely used in many applications and in many consumer-end products such as Teflon®-coated cookware, food packaging, and coatings on textiles. Unfortunately, PFAS are also extremely difficult to degrade which results in widespread environmental contamination. In fact, PFAS contamination is so pervasive that the U.S. National Center for Environmental Health estimates that greater than 96% of the population contain detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. PFAS also unfortunately contributes to a myriad of negative human health impacts if exposed. For example, PFAS in drinking water is estimated to contribute to nearly 7,000 incident cancer cases per year in the U.S. alone, costing at least $10 billion annually in PFAS-attributable diseases. Exposure to PFAS in drinking water can lead to kidney and testicular cancer, low birth weight in infants, and decreased vaccine response among other complications in humans.
PFAS have been detected in lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater, and snow- and rainfall and can accumulate in the environment and in drinking water and wastewater at water treatment facilities. In addition to drinking water sources, PFAS have even been detected in bottled water. In this talk, I will discuss: PFAS chemical properties that influence their behavior in water and human toxicological endpoints; current approaches to separate PFAS from water; and, why PFAS are detected in bottled water. I will end the presentation by discussing opportunities to increase PFAS removal to protect bottled water consumers from PFAS exposure.
Professor Jessica Ray (she/her) is the Robert and Irene Sylvester assistant professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington. Ray received her B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 2009. Upon graduation, Ray remained at Washington University in St. Louis to obtain a M.S. degree (2010, funded by the NSF GK-12 Graduate Research Fellowship) and a Ph.D. in Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering (2015, funded by the EPA Students to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship). During her Ph.D., Ray employed surface chemistry techniques to investigate interfacial reactions of nanomaterials in water. Ray then moved to California as a Miller Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. As a postdoc, Ray developed low-cost polymer-clay composites to treat urban stormwater. At the University of Washington, Ray is continuing to develop and characterize new composite materials for selective contaminant removal in water sources, and for enhanced degradation of persistent contaminants. Recent work includes development of materials for selective adsorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), PFAS destruction, and oxidation of trace organics and sorption of trace metals in wastewater and stormwater matrices. Ray has also begun investigating the fate and transport of microplastics and associated contaminants in stormwater runoff and in wastewater treatment facilities. In recognition of her novel, interdisciplinary research addressing urban water supply and sustainability, Chemical & Engineering News named Ray one of the “Talented 12” honorees for 2020 as well as the NSF CAREER Award in 2022.
All Things State & Federal and TARIFFS!
Robert Smith, Grand Springs
Robert Smith is a long-time bottled water manufacturer and noted industry leader. He will provide an up-to-date look at the industry, where it stands in the beverage category, and will provide the latest updates regarding State and Federal legislation as well as Regulatory policies that affect bottlers and distributors throughout the country. Smith will delve into the issue of hot issue of "Tariffs" and their effect on the industry.
During Robert’s time in the bottled water industry, he has always been a member of The South Atlantic Bottled Water association serving on its board of directors and being President of the association for several years. Robert has also been a member of the International bottled Water Association for more than 20 years serving on every committee at IBWA at one time or another. Robert has Chaired the State and Regional Association Committee, The Membership Committee, The Government Relations Committee, and the Political Action Committee. Robert has served on the IBWA Board of Directors and IBWA Executive Committee for several years. He served as Vice Chairman of the International Bottled Water Association and was elected Chairman of the International Bottled Water Association in November of 2019 at the IBWA annual meeting in Anaheim California.
Recycling & Sustainability
Brett Davis, Grounds Krewe New Orleans & Don Bates, Osprey Initiative
Brett Davis will talk about Grounds Krewe being the lead planner behind Recycle Dat, a multi-faceted initiative which brings together several local and national partners from the environmental, recycling and tourism sectors to provide parade goers opportunities to recycle aluminum cans, PET bottles, and glass, and return unwanted parade throws for re-use. The Recycle Dat! program raises awareness about the need to reduce parade waste and makes it convenient for residents and visiting spectators to recycle and donate unwanted throws easily, along the route as they enjoy parades. Speaking along with Brett will be Don Bates, owner and founder of Osprey Initiative, LLC and the inventor Litter Gitter. He will talk about his passion for maintaining and improving out natural resources and leaving future generations access to wild places unmarred by human impacts.
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Brett Davis is the Founding Director of Grounds Krewe, a New Orleans based non-profit with a mission to lower the waste impact of the city’s many festivals and special events. His organization has a specific focus on transitioning the world’s largest free and unsponsored celebration, Mardi Gras, away from producing millions of pounds of littered street waste, the majority of which is unwanted parade throws as well as cans and bottles that could be recycled.
Don Bates, Osprey Initiative, LLC
Don Bates is the owner/founder of Osprey Initiative, LLC, and the inventor of the Litter Gitter. A graduate of Millsaps College, he has over 25 years of experience in the environmental consulting business. Born in Hammond, Louisiana, he grew up in the swamps around Manchac, Louisiana. He spent most of his life in and around waterways and has a passion for maintaining and improving our natural resources. He feels that the best legacy he can leave for future generations is access to wild places unmarred by human impacts.
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Growing Your Company through Diversification
Drew Kiser, McCollum Bottled Water
Drew Kiser, McCollum Water Conditioning, will share key market insights for the bottled water industry. He will discuss growing a bottled water business that requires leveraging high-demand, sustainable, and premium product trends while diversifying into new industry opportunities. Key growth strategies include offering diversification into premium & functional products, embracing sustainable packaging, capitalizing on 1-gallon and bulk sales, focusing on trade and digital expansion, developing private label/direct-to-consumer, and offering seasonal promotions and subscriptions.
Drew Kiser holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Service degree from the University of Virginia Clinch Valley College. Kiser has over 27 years of experience in the water treatment industry with Industrial, Commercial and Residential applications. He spent 8 years as a Field Service Technician and Service Manager for Ecolochem, Inc. The company was acquired by GE Water and Process Technology in 2005 where he worked as a Service Manager for all Tennessee Valley Authority accounts unit moving to the position of Human Performance Manager in 2010. In September 2012 Kiser joined the McCollum Water Conditioning group where he is responsible for multiple Culligan businesses specializing in Industrial, Commercial, Residential and Bottled Water HOD. In addition to his multitude of responsibilities with McCollum Water Conditioning, he has been instrumental in the bottling plant receiving the IBWA Excellence in Manufacturing award for 24 consecutive years.
FDA/Testing Packages
Stephen Tischler, National Testing Labs
Stephen Tischler, National Testing Laboratories, will discuss comprehensive testing packages for food, agricultural products, and medical devices (with a focus on bottled water) to ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Key services include chemical, microbiological (pathogen), and biomolecular analysis. FDA Private Lab Analytical Packages (PLAPs) are specifically designed to assist with importing products.
As of 2026, the FDA is phasing out enforcement discretion for LDTs. Labs must comply with medical device reporting, registration, and listing by May 6, 2026, with quality system requirements following in 2027.
Stephen R. Tischler, Vice President, has worked for National Testing Laboratories for twenty years. Mr. Tischler is responsible for directing all sales, marketing, and lab operations. In addition, Mr. Tischler is responsible for operational and strategic planning. Prior to working with National Testing, Mr. Tischler worked in various senior management capacities in the chemical manufacturing, engineered plastics manufacturing and laboratory services industries. He has a B.S. in Chemistry from John Carroll Univ. (University Hts., Ohio) and an M.B.A. from Baldwin-Wallace University (Berea, Ohio).
2026 Bottler/Distributor Panel
Clay Bell, Melwood Springs Water Company
Clay Bell will lead a panel of bottlers and distributors to discuss top industry and business concerns. These industry professionals will address important topics from the advantage point of their own experience. In addition, the panel will take questions from the attendees. Come prepared to learn and share. Bring your questions and concerns.
Clay is Vice President and General Manager Melwood Springs Water Company where he oversees daily operations and sales for the Blue Ridge Georgia facility. He has 39 years in the Beverage industry with Shasta Beverage, Pepsi Cola, and Melwood Springs Water Co. Clay is a member of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), President of the Southeastern Bottled Water Association (SEBWA) and a Certified Bottled Water Plant Operator, PCQI qualified. Clay lives in Blue Ridge Georgia with his wife Tamme where they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. Clay is also an avid beekeeper maintaining 50 hives.
