EMPLOYEE AWARDS

Hagan "Festus" Stroud, Line Maintenance Supervisor, was awarded Collection System Operator of the Year by the local chapter of the Water Environment Association of South Carolina with the 2010 Blue Ridge Foothills District (BRFD) Awards. This award is given annually to a WEASC member for excellent achievement in the maintenance of a wastewater collection system.

Doug Allen, Mauldin Road Treatment Plant Operator, was awarded Wastewater Operator of the Year by the Water Environment Association of South Carolina's Blue Ridge Foothills District (BRFD) Awards. This award is presented annually to a wastewater treatment plant operator for excellent achievement in the direct operation of a wastewater system in SC.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) recognized Adger Turner, ReWa's West Divisions Manager, with the William D. Hatfield Award. The Hatfield Award is presented to operators of wastewater treatment plant operators for outstanding performance and professionalism.

Adger Turner, West Divisions Manager, was recently inducted into the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Quarter Century Operator club. The Quarter Century Operator Club recognizes operators of wastewater treatment facilities for their service and dedication in a difficult and dangerous profession.

Russ Morris, Operations Mechanic, was awarded the Maintenance Person of the Year at the state level. This award is given annually to a WEASC member who is actively engaged in the maintenance of water and/or wastewater operations. The recipient must show outstanding efforts in preventative maintenance, plant and system improvements, collaboration with fellow personnel, public education, problem solving and cost-effective techniques, and work-environment safety. ReWa nominated Morris for his commitment to excellence and contribution to maintaining 100% compliance with ReWa's largest plant.

Karen Sprinkle, Pretreatment Data Control Technician, was awarded the Young Professional of the Year at the state level. This award is given annually to a WEASC member who has demonstrated an active commitment to the organization and to the profession as a whole. ReWa nominated Karen for ongoing support of ReWa's education programs such as the Girls Scouts Environmental Awareness Day and the Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) program. She is also a key member of the Upstate Roundtable's Strategic Planning Technical Committee.

Fred Nesbitt, Plant Lead Operator for the Mauldin facility, was awarded the Wastewater Operator of the Year at the state level. This award is presented annually to a wastewater treatment plant operator for excellent achievement in the direct operation of a wastewater system in SC. ReWa nominated Nesbitt for his ongoing participation in maintaining safe and successful operations throughout the extensive rehabilitation of the Mauldin facility, which is ReWa’s largest. Nesbitt brings more than 20 years of experience to his position at ReWa.

Angela Allen, Engineering Project Supervisor, was awarded the Engineer of the Year at the state level. This award is presented annually to an engineer who is responsible for the design or a facility, or has demonstrated excellence by managing or directing a project in the wastewater field. ReWa nominated Angela for her leadership in the multi-faceted design team of the Mauldin facility rehabilitation, as well as her hands on approach with more than 45 other engineering projects throughout 2009.

Samantha Bartow, Administrative Assistance for the Collection System Department, was awarded the Collection System Operator of the Year by the Blue Ridge Foothills District. This award is given annually to a WEASC member for excellent achievement in the maintenance of a wastewater collection system. Bartow was nominated for her exceptional ability to manage and multi-task the needs of the department, as well as her dedication to professional improvement and education. Bartow has more than 14 years of experience in her position at ReWa. Bartow was also elected Vice Chair of the Blue Ridge Foothills District.

Hagan “Festus” Stroud, Line Maintenance Supervisor, was recently inducted into the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Quarter Century Operator club. The Quarter Century Operator Club recognizes operators of wastewater treatment facilities for their service and dedication in a difficult and dangerous profession.

Dr. Stephen P. Graef, Acting Technical Services Director at ReWa, recently received the 2009 Stanley E. Kappe Award at the Annual American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) Awards Luncheon in Washington DC. Graef is one of only five people receiving an individual award at the luncheon. The Stanley E. Kappe Award, established in 1983, is given to a Board Certified Environmental Engineer in recognition of outstanding service and leadership in promoting public awareness about the betterment of the environment, as well as innovation in finding new forms of environmental protection. The award also honors Graef’s professionalism in his field and attentiveness to the various factors that affect environmental protection. Recipients of this prestigious national award are managers of environmental protection enterprises, such as ReWa. Commission Chair John Boyette (left) presents the award to Graef (right).

Glen McManus, ReWa Director of Operations, was inducted into the WEASC South Carolina Chapter of the 5S Society in 2009. Members are chosen for their contributions of outstanding measure to their organization. ReWa Commission Chair John Boyette (left) congratulates McManus (right).

Ken Deanhardt was named the 2009 Maintenance Person of the Year from the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC). As ReWa’s Instrumentation and Electronics Technician, Deanhardt maintains, repairs and upgrades all instrumentation, programmable logic controllers, variable frequency drives and plant control systems. Working at ReWa for more than 12 years, he manages the utility’s two largest plants in the system: Mauldin and Pelham Road. This award is presented annually for excellent achievement in the maintenance of a water, wastewater, collection or distribution system in South Carolina. ReWa Commission Chair John Boyette (left) presents award to Deanhardt (right).

Toby Humphries was awarded the 2009 WEASC Golden Manhole Cover Award. Humphries, ReWa's TV & Clean Supervisor, received the Golden Manhole Award for outstanding contribution to the wastewater collection industry. The annual award recognizes the promotion of professionalism in Sewer Collection Systems in Operations, Maintenance, Design, Education, Training, Certification or Management and Planning. ReWa Commissioner Chair John Boyette (right) presents the award to Humphries (left).

Robert "Tony" Walton, ReWa Collection System Manager, received the 2009 Dennis Pittman Collection System Award for exemplary operation of a collection system. The award is presented annually by WEASC as one of three WEASC Biosolids and Residual Management Awards. Criteria include significant recycling or reuse of natural resources such as nutrients, organic matter, or energy; consistent, cost-effective operation; public acceptance; compliant with all federal, state and local regulations; and excellence in project management. Former Board Chair J.D. Martin (right) presents Walton with award (left).

Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) is proud to announce that Hagan "Festus" Stroud, Line Maintenance Supervisor, was recently inducted into the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Quarter Century Operator club. The Quarter Century Operator Club recognizes operators of wastewater treatment facilities for their service and dedication in a difficult and dangerous profession. ReWa Commission Chair John Boyette (left) presents award to Stroud (right).

Greg Page was named the 2008 Maintenance Person of the Year at the Blue Ridge Foothills District Awards from the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC). Page currently serves as the Electronic/Electrician Instrumental Technician for ReWa (then Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority). This award is presented annually for excellent achievement in the maintenance of a water, wastewater, collection or distribution system in South Carolina. Upon receiving this award, Page is eligible for the WEASC award at the state level.

John Barry was named the 2008 Wastewater Operator of the Year at the Blue Ridge Foothills District Awards from the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC). Barry has served as ReWa's (f.k.a.WCRSA) Environmental Systems Operator II for the past four years. This award is presented annually to a wastewater plant operator for excellent achievement in the direct operation of a wastewater system. It recognizes Barry's commitment and dedication to the operation of a wastewater plant as well as the protection of the environment. Upon receiving this award, Barry is eligible for the WEASC award at the state level.

Trent Bowles was awarded the 2007 WEASC Golden Manhole Cover Award. This award is recognizes the promotion of professionalism in Sewer Collection Systems in Operations, Management, Design, Education, Training, Certification or Management and Planning. Trent, a Travelers Rest resident, began working at Western Carolina in 1998 is the Pump Station Supervisor. He holds an 'A' certification level and is a Certified Journeyman Electrician. He has helped develop several in-house programs that allow ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) to train its current employees to conduct upgrades to the systems.

Don Milner was presented with the 2007 William D. Hatfield Award, given by the Water Environment Federation Member Association to wastewater treatment plant operators for outstanding performance and professionalism. The award was given in recognition for his work at the Lower Reedy plant as foreman for eight years. Don, a Mauldin resident, is now the Industrial Pretreatment Program Inspector and has been with ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) since 1989.

Ann Simms was inducted into the WEASC South Carolina Chapter of the 5S Society. Members are chosen for their contributions of outstanding measure to their organizations. Ann, a Greenville resident, is a Laboratory Manager and has been with ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) since 1990. In 2006, she received the Crystal Crucible award and in 2000 she was awarded the Water Environment Federation's Analyst of the Year award.

Samantha Bartow was inducted into the WEASC South Carolina Chapter of the 5S Society. Members are chosen for their contributions of outstanding measure to their organizations. Samantha was presented with the Noel M. Hurley Membership Award for her outstanding achievements for recruiting new members in 2006. Aside from performing her duties as the Administrative Assistant of ReWa's (then Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority) Collection Systems Department, Samantha has served as a member of the Water Environment Federation's National Automation and Information Technology Committee, and has held the office of WEASC's State Information Technology Chair. Currently, she is the District Treasurer of the Blue Ridge Foothills District. She also maintains the WEASC website and served as the moderator and presenter at a recent WEASC conference.

Perry Ashmore was presented the 2006 William D. Hatfield Award from the Water Environment Federation at the state level for his outstanding service. With over 30 years of experience at ReWa (then Western Carolina), Ashmore has completed various tasks ranging from operational duties to managing multiple treatment facilities within the organization. In August 2003, Perry began managing the Pelham WWTP, which is currently the largest municipal upgrade in South Carolina history. His daily management style leads the staff to actively take part in the current upgrade. This will ultimately help them to learn the process and operational modifications for a smooth transition in the upgrading of the plants.

Samantha Bartow was awarded the Noel M. Hurley Membership Award for outstanding achievements for recruiting new members to WEASC. Samantha is the administrative assistant of ReWa's Collection Systems Department. Her duties at ReWa include event coordination, budgeting and purchasing, and database administration

Ann Sims was presented the 2006 Crystal Crucible Award which recognizes individual for significant contribution for her innovative laboratory operations. Sims, Laboratory Manager at ReWa (then Western Carolina) since 1990, is responsible for organizing and implementing ReWa’s plant, industry, water quality sampling, analysis, QA/QC, NPDES reporting and record-archiving programs.