Operations Award
Award Description
This award is given to a wastewater treatment plant operator in recognition of outstanding performance of a wastewater treatment plant and demonstration of professionalism in the performance of their duties. The award is given to one operator per year for each of the member states.
Nomination Policy and Procedures
- The State Sections’ Operators Committees will submit the names, addresses, and biographical material for operators selected by State Section Operations Committees, to the Chair of the General Awards Committee, no later than December 1 of each year. The award may be given to one person per year from each of the State Sections.
- As a general guide in determining the nominees of the Operations Award, State Section Operations Committees shall consider the following basis of selection, which is recommended, but not required:
| Item | Maximum Allowable Points |
|---|---|
| Efficiency of treatment, considering available facilities and effluent requirements on the plant, along with effects of the effluent on the receiving waters | 25 |
| Housekeeping of facilities | 10 |
| Public relations | 10 |
| In-service training and upgrading of subordinate operators | 10 |
| Preventive maintenance emergency operation and safety practices | 15 |
| Compilation of, and dissemination of in-plant studies and routine operation data to regulatory agencies and to the profession | 15 |
| Preparation and dissemination of annual report | 10 |
| General administration | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Committee on Operations
- There shall be a State Section Operations Committee in each member state.
- The Activities of the State Section Committees on Operations shall be consistent with the objectives of the Association.
- The State Section Committees on Operations shall plan and execute activities that enhance the plant operations awareness and knowledge of Association members, and promote membership in the Professional Wastewater Operators (PWO) of WEF.
- The State Section Operations committees shall be responsible for selecting and submitting nominations (one per state) for the Operations Award to the General Awards Committee and for selecting and submitting nominations for the Hatfield Award to the Hatfield Award Subcommittee of the General Awards Committee no later than December 1st (See Section 12.112).
- The Committees on Operations shall aid in the selection and support of team members for the WEF Operations Challenge as further defined in Section 18.0.
For Information, Contact:
Amy Haque
Phone: 855-692-7932
ahaque@cswea.org
2024 RECIPIENTS
Wade Lagle
Urbana & Champaign SD, IL
Alex Krause
Fond du Lac WRRF, WI
Kelsay Van Deusen
City of Red Wing, MN
PAST RECIPIENTS
2023
Illinois
Jeff Barta
Downers Frove Sanitary District, IL
Minnesota
Joshua Gad
City of Mankato, MN
Wisconsin
Chris Lefebvre
City of Stevens Point, WI
2022
Illinois
Dennis Haile
Wheaton SD, Wheaton, IL
Minnesota
Samidha Junghare
Western Lake Superior SD, Duluth, MN
Wisconsin
Ben Brooks
City of Medford, WI
2021
Illinois
Luke Markko
Northern Moraine WRD, Island Lake, IL
Minnesota
Kenny Winkler
Central Iron Range SD, Chrisholm, MN
Wisconsin
Brian Helminger
Heart of the Valley SD, Kaukauna, WI
2020
Illinois
Jason Neighbors
Glenbard WWA, Glen Ellyn, IL
Minnesota
Corey Bjornberg
City of Rochester, MN
Wisconsin
Cody Schoepke
City of Fond du Lac, WI
2019
Illinois
Steve Olsen
Kishwaukee WRD, DeKalb, ILL
Minnesota
Brian Schoenecker
City of St. Cloud, MN
Wisconsin
Ryan Giefer
City of Wisconsin Rapids, WI
2018
Illinois
Daniel Hughes
Carol Stream, WRD, IL
Minnesota
Scott Spranger
Alexandria Lake Area SD, MN
Wisconsin
Craig Lawniczak
NEW Water, WI
2017
Illinois
Rick Manner
Urbana & Champaign SD
Minnesota
Chet Welle
Rochester
Wisconsin
Sharon Thieszen
Sheboygan
2016
Illinois
Jacob M. Mann
Wauconda
Minnesota
Larry Rogacki
MCES
Wisconsin
Mary-Frances Klimek
Racine
2015
Illinois
Erik Lanphier
Glenbard WW Authority
Minnesota
Henry Morgan
Faribault
Wisconsin
Kris August
Kiel
2014
Illinois
Todd Sheridan
Northern Moraine WRD
Minnesota
Kathy Hamel
Western Lake Superior SD
Wisconsin
Bruce Bartel
New Water
2013
Illinois
Robert Trueblood
FRWRD | Elgin, IL
Minnesota
Clay Watson
GNP Company, Cold Springs
Wisconsin
Jeremy Cramer
Stevens Point WWTP
2012
Illinois
Ronald Johnson
Village of Bartlett
Minnesota
Michael Appelwick
Virginia
Wisconsin
David Carlson
Fond du Lac
2011
Illinois
Jason Treat
Village of Antioch
Minnesota
Jeffery Knutson
City of St. Peter
Wisconsin
Robert Sherr
Lake Mills
2010
Illinois
Gary Sowma
North Shore SD
Minnesota
Rick Ashling
City of Albert Lea
Wisconsin
Dave Lefebvre
Green Bay MSD
2009
Illinois
Ralph Pfister
Yorkville-Bristol S.D.
Minnesota
Darsey Thoen
City of Moorhead
Wisconsin
Paul Christensen
City of Fort Atkinson
2008
Illinois
Greg Brunst
Village of Addison
Minnesota
Dean Nelson
City of Owatonna
Wisconsin
Jim Thalke
Village of Sussex
2007
Illinois
Jim Daugherty
Thorn Creek S.D.
Minnesota
Les Lange
City of Willmar
Wisconsin
Dennis Egge
Janesville
2006
Illinois
Steven Vella
Village of Fox Lake
Minnesota
Richard Bristow
Rahr Malting Co.
Wisconsin
Tom Steinbach
City of Oconomowoc