2025 WEF Fellows
Created to celebrate outstanding contributions to the global water sector by long-time Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) members, the WEF Fellows Recognition Program recognizes the professional achievement, stature, and contributions of WEF members to the preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. These professionals have made a lasting difference for public health and the environment.
James R. Barsanti
New England Water Environment Association
Katherine Y. Bell, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE
Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky & Tennessee
Todd Boling
Nebraska Water Environment Association
Patrick J. Bradley
Virginia Water Environment Association
Jay M. Brady, P.E.
Central States Water Environment Association, Illinois Water Environment Association, Iowa Water Environment Association
Shellie Chard
Oklahoma Water Environment Association
B. Scott Cummings, P.E.
Alabama’s Water Environment Association
Thomas M. Galeziewski, P.E.
AZ Water Association
Dr. Graham Juby, P.E.
California Water Environment Association
Daniel J. Murray, Jr., P.E., BCEE
Ohio Water Environment Association
Richard Russell Roll, P.E., DEE
New York Water Environment Association
Diego Rosso
California Water Environment Association
Jeff Sober, P.E., BCEE
Water Environment Association of Texas
Louis Storino, P.E., BCEE
Central States Water Environment Association, Illinois Water Environment Association
Robert A. Villée
New Jersey Water Environment Association
Published Papers
WEF published research awards recognize exciting advancements in water knowledge and practice.
Eddy Wastewater Principles & Processes Medal
“Comparing methanol and glycerol as carbon sources for mainstream partial denitrification / anammox in an IFAS process”, Ms. Megan Bachmann, Charles B. Bott, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, Dr. Kartik Chandran, Dr. Haydee De Clippeleir, Dr. Stephanie Klaus, Halil Kurt, Michael Parsons, Daniel M. Stockard, and George F. Wells, WER, Vol. 96, Issue 4 (April 2024)
Megan Bachmann
Charles B. Bott, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE
Dr. Kartik Chandran
Dr. Haydee De Clippeleir
Dr. Stephanie Klaus
Halil Kurt
Michael Parsons
Daniel M. Stockard
George F. Wells
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
“Taming the Aeration Beast”, William Fang, Patrick Wittbold, and Dr. Joseph Gitau Gikonyo, WE&T, Pg. 42 (October 2024)
William Fang
Dr. Joseph G. Gikonyo
Patrick Wittbold
McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award
“Fluoride geochemistry in groundwater at regulated industrial sites”, Andrew P G Fowler, Nigel Goulding, Shanna Law, WER, Vol. 96, Issue 8 (August 2024)
Andrew Fowler
Nigel Goulding
Shanna Law
Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal
“Spent Media Management Options for Industrial PFAS Treatment Applications”, David Garb, Alison Ling, Andy McCabe, Margaret Thompson, David Trueba, and Sudhakar Viswanathan, Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper, (October 2024)
David Garb
Alison Ling
Andy McCabe
Margaret Thompson
David Trueba
Sudhakar Viswanathan
Education Awards
These awards focus on educating citizens on the value of water challenges everyone in the water environment profession. This is an important responsibility of individuals, professional associations and utilities alike.
Fair Distinguished Engineering Educator Medal
Professor James Mihelcic
University of South Florida
Florida Water Environment Association
Student Chapter of the Year Award
Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association (PRW&EA)
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) Student Chapter
Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship
Kenneth Mensah
University of Maine, Penn State
Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Individual Category)
Gabriel Evans
Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Utilities, Corporations, Partnerships or Large Groups Category)
Stafford County Utilities Department
“Captain Clog Superhero” Educational Program
Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (WEF Member Associations and Communities Category)
Water Environment Association of Texas – North Texas Section
“Membranes and Mudbugs Event” Program
Media & Public Education Medal
Patty Wetli
Operator Scholarship
Ms. Rosa Arminda Ayala
Water Environment Association of Ontario
Operator Scholarship
Kiel T. Canterbury
Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Matteo Dykstra
Pennsylvania Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Mr. Kenny D. Garcia Rondon
Operator Scholarship
Aaron Walter Gee
Operator Scholarship
Tracy Gerhardt
Pacific Northweast Clean Water Association
Operator Scholarship
Matthew J. Gregory
Operator Scholarship
Mandi Hebert
Florida Water Environment Association, Hawaii Water Environment Association, Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association, Water Environment Association of South Carolina
Operator Scholarship
MD Al Sadikul Islam
Chesapeake Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Bradley Johnson
Water Environment Association of Utah
Operator Scholarship
Kelly Marie Kurtz
California Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Mr. Kaiden Loverin
British Columbia Water & Waste Association
Operator Scholarship
Kimberly Marquez
New Jersey Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Dale T. Miller
Pennsylvania Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Hailey Power
Operator Scholarship
Giovanni Rivera
Pacific Northweast Clean Water Association, Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Joseph Mark Rodriguez
New York Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Kenneth Ryder, P.Eng, M.Eng
Water Environment Association of Ontario
Operator Scholarship
Thomas Scott
AZ Water Association
Operator Scholarship
Tara R. Simmon
New York Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Chris Tatum
Water Environment Association of Ontario
Operator Scholarship
Dustin N. Watkins
New England Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Johnathon Whetton
New England Water Environment Association
Individual Service and Contribution Awards
These awards recognize individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the sustainability of water resources and made a profound impact on the future of the water profession.
Public Officials Award
Representative Kimberly Neely duBuclet
(Illinois)
Public Officials Award
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
President of Mexico
Public Officials Award
Representative K. Joseph Shekarchi
(Rhode Island)
Camp Applied Research Award
Pusker Regmi, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE
Virginia Water Environment Association
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
Laurel Schaich, P.E.
“Fort Wayne’s Journey Towards Resilience and Clean Energy – Implementation of a Microgrid Program and RNG Injection”
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
Zach Schortgen, P.E
“Fort Wayne’s Journey Towards Resilience and Clean Energy – Implementation of a Microgrid Program and RNG Injection”
Emerson Distinguished Service Medal
Bruce E. Rittmann
AZ Water Association
Engelbrecht International Service Award
Diego Rosso
California Water Environment Association
MARC (Manufacturers and Representative Community) Individual Distinguished Service Award
Bill Peretti
Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association
Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award
Natalie Cook
Central States Water Environment Association
Water For People Robert W. Hite Distinguished Leadership Award
Steph (Doblosky) Vashee, P.E., PMP
W. Wesley Eckenfelder Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Jamal Y. Shamas, P.E.
Water Environment Association of Texas
Water Heroes Award
City of Asheville Water Resources
Water Heroes Award
City of Mulvane Water Treatment Plant
Water Heroes Award
County of Maui Lahaina Wastewater Operations Team
Water Heroes Award
Henrico Water – Department of Public Utilities
Water Heroes Award
Veolia North America – Spencer, Iowa
Water Heroes Award
Veolia North America – Smithfield, Rhode Island
Ralph Fuhrman Medal
Jui-Hun Chang, Director General
Ralph Fuhrman Medal
Prof. Chih-Ming Kao
Ralph Fuhrman Medal
Dr. Sheu Yih-Terng
Ralph Fuhrman Medal
Dr. Rao Y. Surampalli
Ralph Fuhrman Medal
Dr. Tian C. Zhang
WEF Mentorship Award
Karla G. Camou Guerra
AZ Water Association
Operational and Design Excellence Awards
These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have achieved excellence in operations and design.
Collection Systems Award
Paul Costa
Chesapeake Water Environment Association, Water Environment Association of Texas
Water Quality Improvement Award
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality –
Miller Creek Public Restroom Project
WEF Safety Award
South Platte Renew, (SPR) Safe Program
Innovative Technology Award
Aquagga, Inc., HALT Steed Series PFAS Destruction Unit
Innovative Technology Award
Moleaer, Nanoshield
Innovative Technology Award
Revive Environmental Technology, LLC, PFAS Annihilator – Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO)
WEF Project Excellence Award
District Green Stormwater Infrastructure at Highland Bridge Project (Saint Paul, MN)
Honorees: Barr Engineering, Capitol Region Watershed District, City of Saint Paul Public Works Department, Ryan Companies
WEF Project Excellence Award
King County, West Point Treatment Plant Power Quality Improvements (Seattle, WA)
Honorees: Brown and Caldwell, Clarity Engineering LLC., Corrosion Probe, Inc., Elcon Associates, Inc., Environmental Science Associates (ESA), Expert Power Solutions Inc., Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC., Hoffman Construction Company, IMEG, Jacobs Engineering, Kennedy/Jenks (King County), Mott Macdonald, LLC., True North Land Surveying Inc., Wagner Architects, West Point Treatment Plant
WEF Project Excellence Award
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Southeast Treatment Plant Headworks Project
(San Francisco, CA)
Honorees: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Southeast Treatment Plant, Carollo Engineers, Inc., Sundt-Walsh JV
Organization and Association Recognition Awards
These awards recognize organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the sustainability of water resources and made a profound impact on the future of the water profession.
Citation of Excellence in Advertising
Best Design, Fractional Page
Myron L Company
“Ultrameter II”
Citation of Excellence in Advertising
Best Design, Full Page
Xylem
“Let’s see how a single smart water platform can simplify water management”
Citation of Excellence in Advertising
Best Presentation of Information, Fractional Page
AERZEN
“It’s in our DNA”
Citation of Excellence in Advertising
Best Presentation of Information, Full Page
Mueller Water Products, Inc.
“ECHOLOGICS”
Outstanding Member Association Award
Florida Water Environment Association