Leadership was the theme of this year?s American Water Works Association?s Annual Conference and Exposition held in Washington, D.C., June 12-16. Thousands of water professionals from around the world gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to take part in educational sessions and view exhibitor products and services.
?If you want to grow to be a leader, surround yourself with other leaders,? said AWWA President Joseph Mantua in an address to attendees at Monday morning?s opening general session.
The opening session showcased water professionals who have responded heroically during recent crises across the globe. Attendees gave a prolonged standing ovation to Matt Barnhart, manager of the Joplin, Missouri American Water Co., who was recognized by for his efforts to restore safe water to the traumatized Joplin community following the recent tornado.
Keynote presenters included Dave Singleton, president of Layne Christenen Water Resources Division, and the team of drillers who rescued 33 trapped Chilean miners in a global drama last year. They were followed by Yoshihiko Misono, executive director of the Japan Water Works Association, who described how his organization responded to the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in March.
?The sympathy and support we have received from AWWA members and water professionals around the world encouraged us enormously when our country was paralyzed by a disaster on an unprecedented scale,? Misono said through an interpreter. ?We now see the depth of our ties with AWWA and the global water community in a new light, and truly appreciate your friendship.?
On Wednesday, Mantua passed the gavel on to new AWWA President Jerry Stevens. Stevens is a 36-year member of AWWA and the general manager of the West Des Moines (Iowa) Water Works. He aims to provide leadership and skill training for young professionals in the next year.
ACE12 will be in Dallas, June 10-14, 2012.
AWWA LEADERSHIP AWARDS
A.P. Black Award
Michael R. Schock
Research Chemist, US Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, Ohio
Abel Wolman Award Of Excellence
Charles O?Melia (deceased)
Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Md.
Archie Becher Award
Joanne Gaglia
Conference & Promotion Manager, American Water Works Association
Denver, Colo.
Distinguished Public Service Award
Jerry Higgins
Superintendent-Manager, Blacksburg-Christiansburg-VPI Water Authority
Radford, Va.
John Lechner Award of Excellence
Bruce Curtis
EBAA Iron
Grand Prairie, Texas
Diversity Award
City of Seattle, Wash.
Outstanding Service to AWWA Award
Jeanne-Marie Bruno
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Park Water Company
Downey, Calif.
Volunteer Of The Year Award
Fred Bloetscher
Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Florida Atlantic University
Hollywood, Fla.
Water Industry Hall Of Fame
Leroy W. Hooton Jr.
Director (retired), Salt Lake City (Utah) Public Utilities
Robert Marini
CEO (retired), CDM
South Weymouth, Mass.
Hoffbuhr Award
Mike Howe
Executive Director, Texas Section of AWWA
Award of Merit
Nicole Ray
Cecilia Gran~a-Rosa
Carlos Nev?rez
2011 high school graduates, St. Johns School
San Juan, P.R.
