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WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION
ARTHUR SIDNEY BEDELL AWARD ...recognizing individuals who have
made outstanding contributions to the water environment
profession
and to the Federation and its Member Associations.
Brad B. Castleberry Brad Castleberry is the Past President of
the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT). Brad was born in
Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1970 and obtained a B.S. in Civil
Engineering with highest honors from the University of Texas at
Austin in 1993, and a J.D. and his Graduate Portfolio in Dispute
Resolution from the University of Texas School of Law in 2002.
While in engineering school, Brad was a member of Tau Beta, Phi
Kappa Phi, and an officer and member of Chi Epsilon. While in law
school, Brad served as the student Managing Editor for the Texas
Environmental Law Journal. Brad is currently serving as adjunct
Professor of Water Law at Texas Tech University. In 1993, Brad
began work as a project engineer with HDR Engineering, Inc. He
worked on various projects involving hydrology and hydraulics
associated with railway and highway bridges and performed water
quality modeling. He also performed pressure system hydraulic
modeling, as well as transient analysis for large and complex water
delivery systems. Brad has been involved in the planning, design,
and construction of a number of water and wastewater treatment and
storage facilities, and he is a licensed engineer in the State of
Texas. Upon completing his law degree, Brad took a job with Lloyd
Gosselink Rochelle and Townsend, P.C. in Austin, Texas. He started
as an associate with the firm in 2002 and was named as a partner
and principal shareholder January 1, 2008. In his law practice,
Brad practices in the areas of water law, natural resources,
environmental permitting, and construction litigation. He
represents clients on a variety of issues, including water supply
planning, water quality management, and environmental defense. Brad
also works on water policy and regulatory issues and has
successfully addressed dozens of permitting and rulemaking
initiatives within the TCEQ. Brad is a member of the Water
Environment Federation (WEF) and WEAT, as well as a number of other
water-related organizations. Brad has been an active member of
WEAT, serving in executive level positions for both WEAT and the
Central Texas Section of WEAT since 2002. Brad was the 2005
recipient of the TAWWA Service Award and has a history of serving
TAWWA at the Capital Area Chapter level and on AWWA national
committees since 1996. Brad is a co-author of the AWWA M50 on Water
Resources Planning.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
...honoring a member of WEAT who has demonstrated continual and
tireless contributions toward the improvement of the water
environment throughout a long and distinguished career in the
wastewater
treatment industry.
Dr. Desmond Lawler
Dr. Desmond Lawler is the Bob R. Dorsey Professor of Engineering
and the University Distinguished Teaching Professor at the
University of Texas at Austin where he’s taught environmental
engineering and performed research since 1980. Professor Lawler has
a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre
Dame, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Engineering from
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a Registered
Professional Engineer in the State of Texas and a Diplomat of the
American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Dr. Lawler recently
received WEF’s prestigious Gordon Fair Distinguished Engineering
Educator Award.
Professor Lawler is well known nationally, internationally, and
especially in Texas. He has taught approximately 1200 undergraduate
students and 700 graduate students; all of his classes are related
to water and wastewater treatment. He has graduated 16 Ph.D.s and
68 Masters students. Professor Lawler’s teaching and service to the
students have been recognized by more than a dozen awards including
being named to the Academy of Distinguished Teachers at the
University several years ago. His teaching philosophy includes the
idea that teaching involves providing both intellectual challenge
and personal support, and his close relationships with students are
a key factor in those awards. These relationships provide the
opportunity for mentoring students, and he has influenced many
undergraduate students to get Master’s degrees in environmental
engineering at other universities. He emphasizes that concepts are
more important than facts and understanding is better than
memorization; in this way, he prepares future engineers for ever
changing technology. Besides those who have gone on to other
universities for graduate school, others have used the course as a
springboard to work as environmental engineers. His graduate class
on “Physical and Chemical Treatment Processes for Water and
Wastewater” is a mainstay of the graduate program, with more
students taking this class than any other in the graduate
curriculum; along with Mark Benjamin of the University of
Washington, he is writing a text book for this course. Professor
Lawler’s professional involvement is also far-reaching. At this
time, he has three major national commitments as a member of the
Drinking Water Committee of the USEPA Science Advisory Board, the
Research Advisory Committee of the Water Research Foundation, and
the Board of Directors of the Water Science and Research Division
of AWWA. Desmond was born in Nyack, NY as the youngest of seven
children; his father was a civil engineer and his mother was a
mathematics teacher before beginning the family. Two of his
brothers (John and Patrick) are also environmental engineers and
were partners in the firm of Lawler, Matusky and Skelly Engineers
(Pearl River, NY) for many years; they have retired and the firm
has been bought by HDR. Desmond has been married to the former
Alice Cotter for 40 years, and they have two adult children, Kate
and Patrick, both of whom are married. Alice is a Ph.D. counseling
psychologist in private practice in Austin.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
WINFIELD S. MAHLIE AWARD
...recognizing a member of WEAT who has made significant
contributions to the art and science of wastewater treatment and
water pollution control.
Rajendra P. Bhattarai
Raj Bhattarai served as the 2007-2008 President of the Water
Environment Association of Texas (WEAT). He received his Bachelor
of Technology degree in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute
of Technology, Kanpur, India in 1976, and his M.S. in Environmental
Health Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin (UT) in
1980. That year he started working for the Texas Department of
Water Resources, a predecessor of the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Since 1984, Raj has worked for the
City of Austin Water Utility. He was the project manager for the
expansion of Austin’s largest wastewater treatment plant, and a
full-scale demonstration study for biological nutrient removal, and
worked on reclaimed water programs, treatment plant re-rating,
water quality studies, and numerous permits, studies, grants, and
research projects. Raj currently manages Austin Water Utility’s
Environmental and Regulatory Services Division. In addition to
overseeing research projects, TMDL and water quality management,
assisting treatment plants with operational process issues and
troubleshooting, tracking environmental regulations and
legislation, and ensuring regulatory compliance, he and his team
are liaisons to regulatory agencies, environmental, professional
and research organizations, and manage the activities of the Center
for Environmental Research, a consortium of the City of Austin, UT,
and Texas A&M University. Raj has served in many stakeholder
committees at TCEQ and has helped draft or revise numerous rules
and regulations, including serving as the Vice-Chair of the
Activated Sludge and Nutrient Removal Sub-Committee to re-write
TCEQ Rules Chapter 217, Design Criteria for Domestic Wastewater
Systems. Raj is a frequent guest lecturer for several environmental
engineering classes at UT and at UT’s LBJ School of Public Affairs.
He also teaches short courses on advanced biological wastewater
treatment at UT. Raj has been a member of the Water Environment
Federation (WEF) and WEAT for over 32 years. He was a WEF Program
Committee Member (1986-1991) and WEF Successful Biosolids Practices
Task Force Member (1990-94). Raj served the Central Texas Section
of WEAT as Treasurer (1993-1996), Section Representative
(1996-1999), Vice President (2001-2002), President Elect
(2002-2003) and President (2003-2004). He has served WEAT as a
Technical Program Committee Member (1990-Present) and Chair
(1997-1999), Membership Committee Chair (1994-1997), Conference
Management Chair (1995-1996 and 2005-2006), Utility Management
Committee member (2003-2006), Municipal Waste Treatment Committee
Member (2007-Present), Water Reuse Committee Member (2007-Present),
Vice President (2005-2006), President Elect (2006-2007) and
President (2007-2008). Raj serves as a Project Subcommittee Member
of the Water Environment Research Foundation on several research
projects, and has been recently appointed to the Tailored
Collaboration Review Committee of the Water Research Foundation. He
has more than 40 presentations and publications to his credit. Raj
is an active member of the National Association of Clean Water
Agencies (NACWA), and served as the 2001 President of the Texas
Association of Clean Water Agencies (TACWA) and is currently
serving as the TACWA Secretary. A recipient of WEF’s George W.
Gascoigne Medal (1992) for “Significant Operation Contribution” and
the Arthur Sidney Bedell Award (1998) for “extraordinary personal
service to WEAT”, he is a licensed professional engineer in the
State of Texas and a Diplomat of the American Academy of
Environmental Engineers.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD ...recognizing an individual who has
made outstanding contributions to the water environment
profession and to the Federation and its Member
Associations.
Betty L. Jordan
Betty Jordan is currently serving as the President of the Water
Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) and as a member of the
Water Environment Federation’s Board of Trustees. Born in Fort
Worth, Texas, Betty has been a trailblazer in this industry since
graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington with her
Bachelor of Science in Biology (1976), Bachelor of Arts in
Chemistry (1977), and Master of Science in Civil Engineering
(1979). In 1980, Betty joined Alan Plummer Associates, Inc. (APAI)
and currently serves as Manager of Technology, Principal, and
member of the Board of Directors. As the Manager of Technology,
Betty mentors young engineers and works with others in the firm to
ensure that the company carefully evaluates new technologies and
incorporates them into solutions for clients as appropriate. In her
30 years with APAI, Betty has worked in a variety of environmental
engineering areas including water, wastewater, water reuse, odor,
pretreatment, and permitting. But Betty is fond of telling people –
my heart is really in sewage! A popular speaker, she can relate to
elementary school students, YPs, and even the OFs in our industry.
Her efforts have garnered her recognition with several industry
associations including the Water Environment Federation, AWWA, and
WEAT. Winner of the Arthur Sydney Bedell Award, Betty has been
actively involved in both the North Texas Section of WEAT and the
state association. She has served in officer positions and has been
an active member of the state program committee since the 1980s,
helping organize and develop the programs for many specialty
seminars. She is a passionate fund raiser for Water for People and
received WFP’s Kenneth J. Miller Award in 2007. Recently, she was
the key note speaker at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Competition passionately challenging students, after her
presentation on Water for People, not to settle for being brilliant
and educated – but to look beyond themselves and to use their
talents to make the world a better place for their having been
there! Betty lives with the two most spoiled cats in the universe.
She is actively involved in her church and the local classical
music scene and loves to travel both domestically and
internationally. She also loves to cook and prepare elaborate
gourmet dinners for fun evenings with friends and family. [AND YES,
YOU CAN BID ON ONE OF THESE DINNERS AT THE WFP SILENT AUCTION.]
Betty attributes much of her success in our industry to having had
the encouragement of two great cheerleader parents and having had
the privilege of working for Alan Plummer who led by example and
encouragement and sometimes a little motivating pressure.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OF THE YEAR Category 1
(
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OF THE YEAR Category 2
(1-15 MGD)
...presented to a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Texas
that has consistently exhibited outstanding performance of daily
activities beyond the normal call of duty.
Salatrillo Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
San Antonio River Authority
The Salatrillo Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is owned,
operated, and maintained by the San Antonio River Authority.
(SARA). Salatrillo WWTP is a regional facility with a service area
that covers the City of Converse, City of Live Oak, and portions of
Universal City, in Northeast Bexar County. The majority of the
wastewater treated comes from residential homes, retail commercial
businesses, and a small percentage of industrial waste. The
Salatrillo WWTP has a permitted flow of 5.83 MGD. The Salatrillo
WWTP has always passed the biomonitoring standards required by the
TPDES (Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System). The effluent
limitations for the Salatrillo WWTP are TSS 15mg/l, CBOD 7mg/l, and
Ammonia Nitrogen 2mg/l. Salatrillo has had no permit violations
between 10/01/2007 and 9/30/09. The plant is operated by Robert
Cruz, Chief Operator; Travis Krueger, George Gonzales, Aniceto
“HAPPY” Garcia, Larry Dennis, Gilbert Hernandez, and Ruben
Hernandez all of which hold Class B Wastewater licenses, and
Michael Kollodziej who holds a Class III Collections license. The
Utilities department holds monthly safety meetings, with topics
ranging from chemical safety, vehicle safety, combined space entry,
plant safety, electrical safety, fire extinguisher training, and at
the conclusion of every safety meeting the floor is opened to
discuss any safety concerns or potential safety hazards, which need
immediate attention. Every employee in the Utilities Dept. must be
trained and certified in CPR and First Aid by SARA CPR/First Aid
Instructors. The plant now uses a new computerized program, set up
in the company intranet system to route work orders, maintenance
schedules, and vehicle maintenance. The first phase of the
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Project recently
completed with the Salatrillo WWTP being the first plant to go
online with SCADA. During the last two years the Salatrillo
Vulnerability Assessment Project was initiated. Emergency response
plans were written, new security upgrades were installed such as
new security gates with employee badge card readers for entry and
exit, cameras mounted on plant building and front gate, and
strategically located PTZ cameras that scan the plant perimeter.
New portable six inch pumps with suction and discharge hoses were
also purchased. They can be used in emergency situations inside the
plant or out in the field at lift stations, or used to assist other
local communities with their emergency situations. The Operators at
the Salatrillo WWTP are always happy and proud to reach out to the
public to show how the plant serves the community. With Judson High
School located across the street from the plant, biology and
chemistry classes schedule plants tours every semester. SARA is
extremely fortunate that The Department of Preventive Health
Services, AMEDD Center and School from Fort Sam Houston, Texas
chose the Salatrillo WWTP to bring students from the Preventive
Medicine Specialist Course to gain knowledge of wastewater
operations to use with their class room training. The Plant
Maintenance Department started a new Energy Conservation Project at
SARA for the FY09, and has replaced all the electric motors at
Salatrillo with new more energy efficient motors. Thus far SARA has
noticed a two percent, or about 5500 KW hour, decline per month in
energy use. Additionally, since July 2007 the Salatrillo WWTP has
taken all wastewater sludge produced in the sludge facilities to
New Earth Soil and Compost for beneficial reuse instead of filling
up the local landfill.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OF THE YEAR Category 3
(>15 MGD)
...presented to a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Texas
that has consistently exhibited outstanding performance of daily
activities beyond the normal call of duty.
Central Regional Wastewater System
Trinity River Authority of Texas
The Trinity River Authority’s Central Regional Wastewater System
is a Category #3 system with a rated capacity of 162 million
gallons per day. TRA pioneered the concept of regional wastewater
treatment by establishing the Central Regional Wastewater System in
1957. The plant began operations in December 1959, serving the
cities of Irving, Grand Prairie, Farmers Branch, and a portion of
western Dallas in Texas. The system has since expanded to serve all
or part of 21 contracting parties and approximately 1.2 million
people in the Dallas/Fort Worth geographical area. CRWS includes a
treatment plant, located in Grand Prairie, and more than 200 miles
of collection system pipelines. This regional treatment facility is
one of the largest and best-operated plants in the state of Texas.
The system’s staff works with continuously upgraded state
of-the-art technology throughout the water reclamation process to
produce clean, clear effluent that improves water quality in the
Trinity River. CRWS is capable of providing complete treatment for
monthly average flows of 162 MGD, daily maximum flows of 335 MGD,
and a daily 2-hour peak flow maximum of 405 MGD. During the
treatment process, biological oxygen demand, suspended solids and
ammonia nitrogen are reduced by 99 percent. The Central plant has
the mechanical dewatering capability of processing 232 dry tons of
biosolids daily. CRWS has a total of 46 TCEQ-certified operators on
staff including 13 with “A” certifications. Well qualified
operations, maintenance, and management personnel are the primary
reason that CRWS has a long history of 100% compliance with its
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. CRWS’
record of permit compliance is best illustrated by the Peak
Performance Awards the system has earned from the National
Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). CRWS has achieved 100%
permit compliance continuously since 1994 resulting in numerous
Gold and Platinum Awards from the National Association of Clean
Water Agencies. NACWA honors those agencies that have achieved 100%
permit compliance for the previous year with Gold Awards. NACWA’s
prestigious Platinum Award recognizes 100 percent compliance with
NPDES permits over a consecutive five year period. Platinum Award
status continues, year after year, as long as 100 percent
compliance is maintained. In 2009, Central Regional Wastewater
System received a Platinum Award for an astounding 16 years of 100%
compliance with the system’s permit limits. During this time
period, CRWS has discharged over 800 billion gallons of highly
treated effluent into the Trinity River with no violations of its
state or federal permit. CRWS is one of only 14 systems nationwide
to achieve 100% compliance for 16 or more years. CRWS is one of
only a few large, advanced wastewater treatment facilities treating
over 100 MGD to have obtained this sterling record of compliance.
In an effort to promote awareness, impact behavior and promote
compliance with safe practices, safety awareness and education
permeates every aspect of daily work life at Central Regional
Wastewater System. A multifaceted Safety Education Program,
beginning with day one of employment at CRWS and continuing for the
duration of an employee’s tenure, strives to ensure the safest
possible work environment. CRWS maintains a sterling safety record
with only 1.5 lost-time incidents per 100 employees in the year
2008. The CRWS Operations Challenge Team, the CreWSers, is the most
successful WEF/WEAT operations challenge team in the history of the
state of Texas. The CReWSers won their fourth national championship
in the top division at the 2009 Water Environment Federation
national competition in Orlando, Florida after taking first place
in the State competition earlier in the year. The CReWSers have won
12 consecutive Texas State Operations Challenge Championships from
1998 to 2009.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
EMERGING LEADER AWARD
...presented to a young member of WEAT who has provided
outstanding service in support of the Association in the form of
committee involvement, recruiting, volunteer time, event
participation, or
other contributions.
Meera D. Victor
Meera Dhruve Victor graduated from Maharaja Sayajirao
University, India in 2000 with a B.S. Civil Engineering. She then
earned a M.S. in Civil/ Environmental Engineering from University
of California, Los Angeles in 2002. After graduation, she worked
for MARRS Services, Inc. on various water/wastewater projects in
California. In 2005, she joined Carollo Engineers in Dallas as an
Environmental Engineer. She became a licensed engineer in the State
of Texas in 2006. Ms. Victor’s professional experience at Carollo
Engineers includes design, project management, and construction
management of various water and wastewater treatment projects. She
is currently serving as Project Manager for the North Texas
Municipal Water District (NTMWD) Regional Water Treatment Plant –
Plant I & II Chlorine Scrubber Facilities and the NTMWD Floyd
Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant - UV Disinfection Facility
Addition. Meera has been an active member of Water Environment
Association of Texas since she moved to Texas in 2005. She has been
a passionate supporter of Water for People. In 2007 she chaired the
Silent Auction at Texas Water in Fort Worth. She has organized a
number of fund-raising events both within Carollo and WEAT,
including the Annual Bingo Night for North Texas Section of WEAT.
In 2007, she accepted the position of Chair of the WEAT – North
Texas Chapter Young Professional (YP) Committee. As the Chair of YP
committee, she encouraged involvement of YPs in various WEAT/WEF
events and also organized a number of networking and social outings
for the YPs. In 2008, she became a non-voting member of the WEAT
Executive Committee when she volunteered to serve as a Co-Chair for
WEAT – Specialty Conference. As a Specialty Conference Co-Chair she
spearheaded the start of WEAT webinars and also helped organize
several specialty conferences on water environment topics. These
webinars and specialty conferences are critical in developing
income for WEAT and furthering WEAT’s goal of public education on
water environment topics. Meera has been a regular volunteer for
WEAT activities, including WEAT – North Texas Section Science Fair
Judging and WEAT – North Texas Section annual picnic. Additionally,
Ms. Victor was sponsored by Betty Jordan to join the WEAT Long
Range Planning Committee in 2009 and attended their 2009 meeting in
Lewisville. She is actively involved at national level in WEF –
Water Reuse Committee and Young Professional Committee. As a member
of WEF – YP committee, she helped reviewing abstracts for WEFTEC
2009. She also served as an Assistant Moderator on several YP and
Water Reuse sessions at WEFTEC 2009
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WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION WILLIAM D. HATFIELD AWARD
...recognizing operators of wastewater treatment plants for
outstanding performance and professionalism.
Clifford W. Beaber Clifford Beaber joined the City of Corpus
Christi Wastewater Department in 1976 as a Crewman for the
Collection System Activity and was soon promoted to Tradeshelper.
In 1979, Mr. Beaber was promoted to Maintenance Mechanic and in
1984 to a Sr. Wastewater System Foreman and into a Maintenance
Foreman for the Lift Station Operation & Maintenance Activity.
In 1996, he was promoted to Plant Supervisor and again in 1998, to
Maintenance Superintendent. In 1990, he earned his Associates
Degree in Public Administration from Del Mar College by attending
night school. In 1993, he graduated with Honors from Texas A&M
Corpus Christi (formerly Corpus Christi State University) with a
Bachelor Degree in Political Science. He obtained his Class “A”
Wastewater Operator’s Certification issued by the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality. Clifford demonstrated his enthusiasm,
skills and ability to lead to such an extent that in 2008, he was
promoted to Wastewater Treatment Superintendent assuming the
responsibility for the City’s six Wastewater Treatment Plants which
have a combined treatment capacity of 41.0 million gallons per day
(MGD). Under the direction of Mr. Beaber, all six treatment plants
have consistently complied with their discharge permits. The plants
have received numerous National Association of CleanWater Agencies’
(formerly AMSA) Platinum Award, Gold Award and Silver Award during
the last twelve years. The Platinum is awarded to those plant that
have received the AMSA Gold Award for five consecutive years
without a permit violation, the Gold Award is for no permit
violations and Silver Award is for less than five permit violations
during a calendar year. In 2001 the Water Environment Federation
awarded the Greenwood Wastewater Treatment Plant the “George W.
Burke, Jr. Award” for the effective Safety Program. Mr. Beaber is
also responsible for the Pretreatment Section which successfully
monitors the commercial and industrial customers of the wastewater
system. Mr. Beaber is an active member of the Water Environment
Federation and the Texas Water Utility Association (TWUA). In 1998,
Mr. Beaber served as President of the TWUA - Coastal Bend District
after serving as Program Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary/Vice
President. For several years he was Chair of the Auditing
Committee. He has attended numerous WEF and WEAT Conferences. He is
an active member of the Coastal Bend Master naturalist group and
does numerous hours of volunteer work for events such as Earth
Day/Bay Day, Aransas Wildlife Cleanup Day, and Adventure Tent at
Bayfest
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
SIDNEY L. ALLISON AWARD ...to a person or organization that has
made significant contributions to the engineering, science, and/or
operation and maintenance of wastewater collection and pumping
stations with the mission to transport
wastewater to a treatment plant.
North Texas Municipal Water District The North Texas Municipal
Water District (NTMWD) provides regional treated water supply and
transmission, wastewater collection and treatment, and solids waste
disposal services to a broad area in North Texas. The NTMWD
Regional Wastewater System Members are: Allen, Forney, Frisco,
Heath, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano, Princeton, Prosper, Richardson,
Rockwall, and Seagoville. The Regional Wastewater System Customers
are: Fairview, Melissa, and Parker. The Sewer System Participants
are: Crandall, Farmersville, Fate, Frisco, Lavon, Murphy, Rockwall,
Royse City, Seis Lagos, and Wylie. The NTMWD has provided
wastewater treatment services to its participating cities since
1972, when the NTMWD assumed operations of Plano’s Rowlett Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant. The first wastewater facility built and
operated by the NTMWD was the small, specialized, high quality,
Rush Creek Treatment Plant in Rockwall. Today, the NTMWD owns and
operates four regional treatment facilities that provide secondary
and/or tertiary level treatment. In addition to the regional
facilities, the NTMWD operates 14 smaller treatment plants that are
included in the NTMWD Sewer System. In the process of ensuring safe
conveyance of the wastewater to state-of-the-art regional treatment
facilities, the NTMWD maintains 202 miles of transmission pipelines
ranging in size from 8” to 60” in diameter. In addition to the
treatment facilities and conveyance system, NTMWD also operates 20
lift stations strategically located in the service area. The NTMWD
currently utilizes 154 employees dedicated to the operations of the
wastewater system, 8 employees focused on the transmission system,
and several others who provide additional support in other
departments. The NTMWD Regional Wastewater System and Sewer System
treated over 32 billion gallons of wastewater during the 2008-09
Operations Year (October 2008-September 2009). Of the total
wastewater treated, 18 percent received treatment through the NTMWD
Sewer System, while the remaining 82 percent received treatment at
one of the four regional wastewater treatment plants. Droughts,
population growth, and the knowledge of water as a finite resource
have necessitated the development of wastewater reuse strategies by
the NTMWD. These wastewater reuse strategies help to reduce the
release of nutrient-rich effluent into waterways and assist in
augmenting raw water supplies to meet current and future water
demands. The NTMWD has completed the largest constructed wetland in
the United States. This wetland reclaims water from the East Fork
of the Trinity River, polishes or cleanses it utilizing aquatic
plants, then transfers the polished water to Lavon Lake for
blending and storage to augment water supplies used for treated
drinking water. In addition, several of the NTMWD wastewater
treatment plants provide effluent to neighboring golf courses for
irrigation purposes. Wastewater reuse provides a beneficial
purpose, a conservation measure, and a reliable alternative water
use from wastewater effluent or reclaimed water.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
RONALD B. SIEGER BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT AWARD ...presented to a
WEAT member(s), an engineering firm, a specific project, a
municipality, or a specific
municipal or industrial facility that has made significant
accomplishments in the field of biosolids technology and management
practices within the boundaries of the State of Texas.
Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant
Austin Water Utility
The City of Austin Water Utility is committed to protecting,
conserving, and restoring the ecology of Austin. The Hornsby Bend
Biosolids Management Plant (Hornsby Bend) plays a key role in that
effort by recycling Austin’s biosolids and yard trimmings through
its composting program. The facility has received many local,
state, and national awards for environmental excellence, including
twice winning the Environmental Protection Agency’s first place
national award for biosolids recycling. Additionally, the 1200-acre
Hornsby Bend site’s 180 acres of treatment ponds are Austin’s most
popular bird watching destination. The American Bird Conservancy
and the Audubon Society have recognized the facility as a site of
global significance for bird conservation by designating it an
Important Bird Area for North America. Hornsby Bend helps further
knowledge of biosolids processing and impacts, as well as Austin’s
ecology, through the research and education supported by the
Utility’s Center for Environmental Research (CER). Located at
Hornsby Bend, the CER is a partnership with the University of Texas
at Austin and Texas A&M University. Ongoing research at CER
into biosolids impacts on the soil food web and ecosystems as well
as research into emerging trace contaminants reflects the
significant contributions of Hornsby Bend to our knowledge of
biosolids. In short, Hornsby Bend is a model for innovative
approaches to protecting urban ecology and developing ways to
benefit the environment such as reducing waste, producing compost,
and protecting ecosystems. The Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management
Plant receives all solids generated at the City’s wastewater
treatment plants, Walnut Creek and South Austin Regional.
Currently, Hornsby Bend receives 1 to 1.5 million gallons of
primary and activated solids at a solids concentration of 1.5%
solids concentration, which is pumped from the wastewater treatment
plants to Hornsby Bend. The solids treatment train at Hornsby Bend
consists of the following: sludge screening, equalization/mixing
tank, gravity belt thickeners, mixed blending tank, anaerobic
digesters and dewatering belt presses. Digested and dewatered
biosolids are either land applied on Hornsby Bend property, land
applied off-site by a contractor or composted. AWU has land applied
biosolids to 550 acres at Hornsby Bend since the mid-1980s. Today
approximately one-third of the plant’s solids production are land
applied on-site, one-third are composted, and one-third are land
applied off-site by a contractor. Liquid sidestreams generated in
the treatment of the biosolids are routed to an on-site sidestream
wastewater treatment plant and the treated sidestream flows are
ultimately discharged into a four pond treatment system. Water from
the ponds is used for irrigation on the Hornsby Bend property, as
the plant is a “zero discharge” facility. Gas produced in the
digestion process is used as fuel in boilers, to heat the
digesters, to fuel two on-site 400-KW electric generators, or
flared. Austin’s stringent pretreatment program requires that local
industries and businesses treat or remove contaminants from their
wastewater before it is discharged into the City’s wastewater
collection system. This program ensures that Austin’s biosolids
meet all state and EPA requirements for safe recycling and reuse.
All of Austin’s biosolids are beneficially reused through their
well-established composting and land application programs. The
cornerstone of the Austin Water Utility’s recycling efforts is the
Dillo Dirt™ composting program – which celebrated its 20th
anniversary in 2007 and was the first biosolids composting program
in Texas. Using the windrow composting method, the City generates
about 40,000 cubic yards of compost annually. The operation
recycles not
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only digested biosolids, but also all of the residential yard
waste that is collected curbside in the City. Overall, compost
production represents about onethird of the plant’s biosolids
production. The Utility currently composts on a 14-acre roller
compacted concrete pad and on a seasonal basis composts in two
existing sludge storage basins. “Dillo Dirt” is donated to schools,
parks and nonprofit organizations and is also sold to more than 60
licensed commercial vendors for retail. Demand for the product
often exceeds available supply. Because of the success of the Dillo
Dirt program and demand for the product, the Utility is currently
expanding its composting operation, and is constructing an
additional 15-acre concrete composting pad to the north of the
existing pad. The compost pad expansion, digesters improvements and
numerous other upgrades at Hornsby Bend are being funded with a
$31.8 million zero-interest federal stimulus loan. Last year the
Texas Water Development Board ranked the Hornsby Bend Improvements
Project as the #1 “Green Project” in Texas and awarded it 80% of
the “Green Reserve” funds from the Texas Clean Water State
Revolving Fund.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
OUTSTANDING MUNICIPAL OPERATOR OF THE YEAR ...presented to a
municipal wastewater treatment plant operator in the State of Texas
who has
demonstrated outstanding professionalism at his/her facility and
has performed his/her duties tirelessly and with dedication to the
betterment of the water environment.
Raudel Juarez
Mr. Raudel Juarez began his career in wastewater in 2000 as an
introductory employee at the Ventura Regional Sanitation District
in Ventura, California. In 2002, he obtained his Class II
Wastewater License and was promoted to Operator II in 2003. He
worked at two different sequential batch reactor plants, with
advanced activated sludge, performing nitrification and
denitrification until 2005. On December 12, 2005, Raudel joined the
Trinity River Authority’s Central Regional Wastewater System as an
Operator II. He quickly obtained his Class B Wastewater License and
was promoted to Senior Operator. In this position he was
responsible for training on his shift as well as Hazmat training,
day-to-day activities of the operators. As Senior Operator, Raudel
is responsible for plant operations in the absence of the Chief
Operator. Raudel’s talents were soon noticed and he was charged
with overseeing construction projects. In this capacity, he works
with engineers and contractors to plan and coordinate construction.
He has played an integral part in reviewing designs and attending
numerous meetings during each construction phase. He has seen and
has been a major player in the plant going from 162 MGD to
eventually 189 MGD. In 2006, he joined the CReWSers, TRA’s
Operations Challenge team, and became team coach. As coach, he was
the backbone of the team. Under his leadership, the CReWSers won
National Championships in the Operations Challenge in 2006, 2008,
and 2009. He also competed in several demonstrations and invitation
competitions. Raudel is a devoted family man. He and his wife,
Cecilia, have three wonderful children. He supports his children in
their various sports’ activities by volunteering his time coaching.
He is also involved in his church’s activities as a leader and
teacher in several capacities. He is an avid outdoorsman, whether
it is taking his children fishing at the local pond or hiking the
hills of New Mexico with his father to hunt for mule deer. Raudel
is a member of WEAT and WEF. He attends North Texas sections’
functions.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
EXEMPLARY EMPLOYER AWARD ...recognizing Texas employers that
support and facilitate employee involvement and activities within
the
Water Environment Association of Texas and the Water Environment
Federation.
San Antonio Water System
San Antonio Water System serves more than one million people in
the urbanized part of Bexar County, including more than 352,000
water customers and more than 395,000 wastewater customers. In
addition to water and wastewater service for retail customers, SAWS
provides wholesale water supplies to several smaller utility
systems in the area as well as centralized heating and cooling
services for many of the buildings in downtown San Antonio. As an
organization, SAWS strongly encourages employee participation in
professional associations, especially WEAT/WEF, and pays membership
costs for most professional associations. In addition, SAWS
managers promote involvement in WEAT to new and young
professionals, often including participation as a goal in annual
performance evaluations. SAWS supports WEAT activities by hosting
monthly WEAT San Antonio Section meetings at its Headquarters
facility – a significant improvement over loud restaurant banquet
rooms that were previously used. SAWS facilities also routinely
host WEAT/WEF webcasts and workshops, and encourages employees to
attend. In addition, SAWS employees take an active role in WEAT
activities, conferences and fundraisers. Many employees have served
or currently serve as officers or representatives for WEAT and
other professional organizations, participating in conferences
across the country. This past year, SAWS was a major participant in
the first local Water for People Golf Tournament, organized by the
WEAT San Antonio Section and TAWWA South Texas Chapter. The
inaugural event welcomed about 100 golfers and raised $15,000, with
SAWS taking a key role in getting the word out about the
tournament. Employees routinely support and attend WEAT and WEF
conferences, often giving presentations to highlight SAWS projects
and successes. Many of these same topics are regularly featured in
WEAT newsletters, with SAWS being a major contributor of technical
articles. SAWS also continues to be a strong supporter of
Operations Challenge competitions at the state conference, with
SAWS teams consistently performing well in many areas. As
demonstrated, SAWS has a valuable relationship with the Water
Environment Association of Texas and the Water Environment
Federation. We anticipate this collaborative partnership will grow
and expand, and SAWS will continue to support and facilitate
employee involvement and activities within WEAT and WEF.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
LABORATORY ANALYST EXCELLENCE AWARD
...recognizing a member of WEAT for outstanding performance,
professionalism, and contributions to the water quality analysis
profession.
Dana L. White
Dana White was born an eighth generation Texan in Jacinto City.
She received her Bachelors Degree in Microbiology and Chemistry
from the University of Texas at Austin in 1985. She was one of the
founding members of the Microbiology-Medical Technology Students
Society. Ms. White is a registered Microbiologist (American Society
of Clinical Pathologists) and is a Certified Quality Auditor
(American Society for Quality) and has been the chair of the WEAT
Laboratory Committee since 2008. She is also part of the WEAT
Environmental Management Systems and Texas Water Program
Committees. Ms. White’s 26 years in the lab have included working
for the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center–Houston, City of
Houston Health and Water Departments, Texas Department of Health,
as well as the Austin Water Utility, Texas. She has been working
for the Austin Water Utility, as a Chemist and Operations
Supervisor and is currently a senior Chemist at the Hornsby Bend
BMP. Her lab work experience ranges from soil, shellfish, clinical,
food and dairy microbiology, drinking water and wastewater. She was
privileged to be Texas Laboratory Evaluation Officer for drinking
water, dairy and shellfish during her years with the Texas
Department of Health. She has assisted in coordinating the Texas
Water Operations Challenge for the last few years and has been a
supporter and technical advisor to the Austin Dillo Express. Ms.
White is a member of the following organizations:
TWUA/LAS/Alamo Chapter and former member of the Houston and
Austin LAS Chapters American Society of Clinical Pathologists
WEF-Water Environment Association American Society for Quality
Austin Youth River Watch
She is also very active with the local science fairs for the
students in the surrounding schools and assist with local student’s
Science Fair Projects and has participated in judging on the local
and regional levels. She has helped with the Utilities “Take Your
Children to Work Day” and various school tours. Ms White’s noted
achievements include method development for
Giardia/Cryptosporidium, Rapid Antibiotic testing in milk, rapid E.
coli 0157:H7 in ground meat, and Vector Attraction Reduction in
biosolids. She has successfully worked long term at bringing about
closer cooperation between the laboratory and process operations.
However, her proudest achievement is being a mother to her
10-year-old son, Werner.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION
GEORGE W. BURKE, JR. AWARD ...acknowledging an active and
effective safety program in municipal and industrial wastewater
facilities. The facility must have a documented and illustrated
safety program and safety record for the preceding
calendar year.
Whitecap Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Corpus Christi
The Whitecap Wastewater Treatment Plant was initially
constructed in 1974 as an activated sludge plant with a capacity of
0.5 million gallons per day (MGD). In 1991, the plant’s capacity
was increased to 0.8 MGD and again expanded in 1997 to a capacity
of 2.5 MGD. Today, the Whitecap plant is treating 1.3 MGD and
provides wastewater treatment for the North Padre Island area. The
plant currently receives wastewater flows from a service area of
over 10,480 acres with a population of approximately 9,500. Most of
the wastewater is from domestic sources that is discharged into the
collection system. The collection system has 16 lift stations and
93 miles of sewer lines, ranging in diameter from 8 to 36 inches.
Wastewater treatment plant operation is a never ending job and
safety is a priority at this Platinum-12 year Award winning
Whitecap Wastewater Treatment Plant where the motto is Think Safety
First. It is the Department’s mission is to protect and improve the
health, welfare, and quality of life for the citizens of Corpus
Christi by providing environmental protection through collection,
treatment, and disposal of wastewater in accordance with all
federal, state, and local regulations in the most cost effective
and safe manner reasonably possible. The Department continuously
strives to increase employee awareness, and improve safety and
health with focus on reducing hazards. Our goal and objective is to
increase the level of workplace safety by providing continuous and
dynamic safety programs. Some of these include but are not limited
to, Injury and Loss Prevention Program, Trenching and Shoring
Training, Confined Space Training, Blood- Borne Pathogens Training,
Lock Out/Tag Out, and Hazardous Materials Emergency Response. The
Whitecap Wastewater Treatment Plant employees actively participate
in monthly safety meetings covering a variety of topics such as
driver safety, safety and health inspections, slips and falls,
chemical emergency response, respiratory protection, electrical
safety, fire safety and safety awareness. While working safely,
plant staff has worked effectively as well. The Whitecap Wastewater
Treatment Plant has been recognized as a Platinum Award winner
consecutively by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies
(NACWA). The Platinum Award is awarded only to those plants that
have had no discharge violations for five consecutive years. The
Platinum Award recognizes those few plants in the United States
that are exceptionally operated, maintained, and managed, another
indication of a safe plant. This award honors: Carl Williams Samuel
Salinas Alfredo Molina James Cowger Jesus Dimas Lazaro Trevino
Andres Gomez Gabriel Garcia Allen Smith Gerardo Martinez Jeffery
Rodriguez Think Safety First
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HEROISM ...recognizing an individual or group
of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage and
bravery in the performance of heroic behavior towards their
fellow man.
Paul T. Baumgardner, Ph.D.
On the morning of September 11, 2001 Dr. Paul Baumgardner was
busy with his job in the industry, operating and training staff to
operate his newly designed rail tankcar chemical cleaning facility
in Amarillo, TX. However, shortly after hearing the news of
terrorist attacks on United States soil Dr. Baumgardner joined
thousands of other Cold War veterans lining up at recruiting
stations across the nation to help take a stand against future
threats. Within weeks of joining the Texas Army National Guard’s
Light Infantry Brigade Dr. Baumgardner deployed with his local unit
along the Texas-New Mexico border in support of Operation Noble
Eagle, tasked with clearing identified danger zones and securing
top security interests of the United States Department of Defense
installations. Upon returning from active duty and discharge from
the Texas Army National Guard Dr. Baumgardner returned to his
environmental engineering career. However, rather than returning to
the chemical cleaning facility Dr. Baumgardner accepted his former
position as a director at Ana-Lab Corporation (environmental
laboratory) with partial ownership of the organization. Throughout
the years that followed the September 11th attacks, Dr. Baumgardner
became increasingly concerned with the strain of combat on his
fellow Texans, learning of multiple deployments (both domestic and
combat deployments) with many of his veteran friends still actively
engaged in reserve service to the state of Texas. Upon learning of
yet another combat deployment to Iraq with an urgent request from a
veteran friend of his still in the local unit Dr. Baumgardner was
graciously given a leave of absence from Ana-Lab Corporation. Dr.
Baumgardner declined an opportunity for a direct commission as an
officer and requested instead to join as an NCO (non-commissioned
officer) in an effort to ensure that he would be able to contribute
his time overseas in direct combat as a light infantryman and Small
Arms Team Leader. In the course of his combat deployment supporting
Operation Iraqi Freedom’08, Dr. Baumgardner saw over 10 months of
direct combat. In addition to several field and unit awards for
leadership and combat operations proficiency, Dr. Baumgardner was
also awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) for numerous direct
engagements with enemy forces, including small arms attacks and
improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in the Al Anbar Province
of Iraq. Upon returning from Iraq Dr. Baumgardner resumed his
duties as Director of Business Development for Ana-Lab Corporation,
in addition to his work with the Water Environment Association of
Texas and the Water Environment Federation. In addition to these
duties, Dr. Baumgardner is also active with the Air & Waste
Management Association, the TCEQ Enviro-Mentor program, and guest
lecturing for the TCEQ and colleges and universities around the
nation. Dr. Baumgardner has been married to Michelle Baumgardner
for 19 years, and has two children and lives in Panhandle, TX.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
RECRUITMENT AWARD
...recognizing a member of WEAT for his outstanding recruitment
effort.
Dennis Laskowski
Mr. Dennis Laskowski is a registered Professional Engineer in
the State of Texas, holds a Class B Water Distribution System
Operator License, and is a certified NASSCO PACP operator. He
received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the
University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) where he graduated Cum
Laude. He recently earned an Associates of Applied Science degree
in Surveying Engineering Technology from San Antonio College. While
attending and upon completion of college at UTSA, Dennis worked for
the Texas Department of Transportation, San Antonio Public Works
Department, and the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) where he is
currently a Project Engineer. While employed with SAWS for the past
11 years, such duties have included the development and/or
implementation of Annual Construction Contracts for Pipe bursting,
Cured-inplace pipe, Asphalt, Concrete, Excavation/Backfill and
sewer line cleaning, all a first for SAWS. Other responsibilities
have including the design of sewer emergency projects for collapsed
pipe, scheduling and coordinating work for the survey department,
design and review of water and sewer main projects, and the project
manager of contracts to name a few. Dennis has been actively
involved in his local WEAT section since 1999 when he and his
former boss founded the section and Dennis was voted Secretary. Mr.
Laskowski played an instrumental role in defining the section by
starting a newsletter, gaining sponsorships, opening up a bank
account, scheduling meetings, recruiting members, implementing the
Constitution and Bylaws, and instigating the sections 1st bowling
social. Mr. Laskowski continues to help his local WEAT section in
numerous ways including setting up happy hours for the young
professionals in the area, participating in annual science fair
activities on behalf of WEAT and AWWA, holding many officer
positions in the section including President and now currently the
active Section Representative, and initiating a student membership
award and scholarship with the University of Texas at San Antonio
and the local section. Dennis notes that his participation has been
a pleasant and rewarding experience and encourages everyone to
volunteer in their local section if they choose to do so. Dennis
previously won WEAT’s prestigious Emerging Leader Award in 2003. In
addition he has won a WEAT Recruitment Award for six years in a
row. WEAT wishes to recognize, thank, and congratulate Dennis for
his continued service.
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WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
RECRUITMENT AWARD ...recognizing a member of WEAT for his
outstanding recruitment effort.
Sharon Miller
Sharon Miller is a registered Professional Engineer in the
States of Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, holds a Grade Four
Nebraska Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License, and is a
certified NASSCO PACP operator. She received a Bachelor of Science
degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters of Science degree in
Environmental Engineering, both from the University of Nebraska.
Yes folks, she is a Cornhusker in Texas territory. Prior to coming
down to Texas, Sharon worked 12 years for the City of Omaha,
Nebraska as a plant engineer. She was responsible for all design
and construction, whether capital or O&M funded projects, for
three wastewater treatment plants, force mains, rehabilitation of
over 70 lift stations, and the City’s flood protection system
(levee and flood wall). In addition to design and construction
activities, Sharon participated in training of O&M staff,
assisted with troubleshooting and operations of systems,
participated in water festivals, spoke at local schools about
wastewater treatment, and provided numerous tours of the wastewater
plant to schools and other organizations. Sharon moved to Texas in
2008 to take a job as a Project Manager with HDR Engineering in
Dallas, TX. Or as her operators put it before she left Omaha,
moving to the dark side. She is on the pretreatment and odor
control technical practice committee for HDR, where she
participates in establishing best management practices, fact
sheets, and design guides on these topics for HDR employees. She
has worked on a variety of projects for College Station, TRA,
Mustang SUD, Waco, and Commerce, and really enjoys meeting a
variety of people, learning about how others treat their
wastewater, and assisting municipalities. Sharon was actively
involved in the Nebraska MA, and was a board member in the
Director-At-Large position upon her departure. She was instrumental
getting NWEA involved as a regional partner in the World Water
Monitoring Day (WWMD) program, applying for and receiving an
educational grant to allow NWEA to disseminate test kits at no
charge. Brad Castleberry was instrumental in getting her involved
with WEAT as soon as she arrived. It wasn’t too long before Brad
took Sharon’s enthusiasm and placed her as co-chair of the
membership committee. Sharon continues to work with the Section
Reps to focus on WEAT membership services. In addition to WEAT
activities, Sharon is actively involved at WEF. She is on the WEF
PCOC committee, and is chair of the publications subcommittee. All
those brochures and flyers you order from WEF are developed from
this committee. She participates in the WWMD committee, as well as
being a North America judge for the WWMD Water Champion Award – the
first annual award was presented at the end of March. Sharon has
been actively involved in the Water is Life subcommittee,
developing the materials you see as part of the WIL program. She
participates on the WEF’s Air Quality and Odor Control Committee as
well, and has participated as a co-chair in workshops at WEFTEC.
Sharon, and her husband Phil, have two active children – Chloe who
is 7 years old and Philip who is 5 years old. In her spare time,
she assists in coaching her children at soccer and baseball, is
crew chief for her husband’s dirt track racecar, and is the PTA
chair of her daughter’s school Environmental Club. You can tell
that Sharon is very passionate about her work in this industry.
WEAT wishes to recognize, thank, and congratulate Sharon for her
continued service.