Awards 2021
2021 Awards
Gilbert Sanchez - City of Jerome
Administrator of the YearThis year’s Administrator of the Year award goes to a person who knowingly came into a struggling facility that was under a consent decree due to violations. Due to his leadership the facility has been able to maintain compliance and do so consistently and is now one of the top treatment facilities in the state. This administrator asks that his crew continue to increase their knowledge and certification levels, which they have done in an admirable way. If anything happened to him, he knows his crew could continue without him and never miss a beat. This administrator has given nearly the last 45 years of his life to the wastewater profession and this recognition is well-deserved. (Pictured at left: IRWA President Robert Dial and Gilbert Sanchez, Wastewater Superintendent for the City of Jerome.)
Braiden Klingler - City of Tetonia
Rookie of the YearThis year's rookie of the year award goes to an individual who wears many hats in his small community. He serves as Public Works Director, which includes maintenance and monitoring of the city’s water and sewer systems. He takes pride in his community and has refurbished the city’s welcome sign; improved the landscaping at the park and provided a ramp to the library as well providing colorful flower and herb planters in front of the building. He has even improved the Christmas decorations. He brings energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude to his job. He has done all this while studying for and earning his Very Small Water License and he has been a dedicated participant of IRWA’s Apprenticeship Program. (Pictured at left: IRWA President Robert Dial and Braiden Klingler, Public Works Director for the City of Tetonia.)
City of Nampa
Wastewater System of the YearThis city took on the big project of upgrading its solids processing facility at its wastewater treatment plant. The dated and worn-out equipment previously in place led to costly repairs and significant under performance. The upgrades provided additional solids handling capacity to accommodate projected community growth. The new facility includes a 52-foot tall, three story concrete masonry building to house the wastewater solids processing equipment. The new facility contains rotary drum thickeners and dewatering equipment to improve efficiency and help the city meet anticipated future permit limits. In addition to the solids handling system, the project installed an equalization tank, which provides a means of controlling recycle flows, and a new plant drain lift station to transport drain water -collected throughout the treatment plant- back to the front of the treatment process. The enhanced system control reduces shock loads to the treatment facility and improves the overall plant treatment process. (Pictured at left: IRWA President Robert Dial and City of Nampa employees: Andy Zimmerman (Wastewater Superintendent), Dave Gassel (Asst. Superintendent over operations and maintenance), and Nathan Costner (Asst. Superintendent over lab and pretreatment).
Bob Kuchenski - Bayview Water and Sewer District
Drinking Water Operations Specialist of the YearThis year’s Water Operations Specialist of the Year has assisted the board in multiple projects such as creating a Source Water Protection Plan and an Emergency Response Plan. His knowledge of his system has been instrumental in supporting the engineer in designing the Facility Plan for a much-needed system upgrade. His extensive knowledge and problem-solving skills make him a champion in his community. This individual continually shows ongoing initiative, leadership and dedication to the residents he serves. His expertise is essential in supplying feedback to the hoard in making critical system decisions. He is always available to response to requests and finds quick and solid solutions to system issues. It has been said to know Kuch is to respect Kuch! (Pictured at left: IRWA President Robert Dial and Bob Kuchenski, System Operator, for Bayview Water and Sewer District.)
Steven Holyoak - City of Hailey
Wastewater Operations Specialist of the YearThis year’s Wastewater Operations Specialist of the Year is nearing retirement age and his co-workers wanted to nominate him for his hard work and leadership in the wastewater industry. He works tirelessly at his own system and has embraced new technology and changes. He also takes calls from other plants and helps where he can. His employees say that he is a good boss and a great example of what a Wastewater Operator should strive to be. (Pictured at left: IRWA President Robert Dial and Steven Holyoak, Wastewater Department Manager, City of Hailey.)
Dicsie Gullick - Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
Friend of Rural WaterThis year’s Friend of Rural Water loves helping people with achieving their goals. In her position, she assisted many of our water and wastewater operators and did her best to answer questions and complaints since she started her job in October 2016. She is a Friend to the Idaho Rural Water Association staff as she was assigned to process their applications asking for continuing education units or CEUs for their trainings. Sadly, this person has taken a position with another state agency, so it is fitting that we can thank her and recognize her for being a Friend to Rural Water. (Pictured at left: IRWA President Robert Dial and Dicsie Gullick.)
John Lynn - Area Specialist for USDA Rural Development
Kelly Dahlquist Community Impact AwardThis year’s recipient of the Kelly Dahlquist Community Impact of the Year award is a person who has been employed for nearly 12 years as an Area Specialist. In this position, he helps provide funding and oversees the construction of the infrastructure projects throughout northern Idaho. He has processed 113 loan and grants for USDA Rural Development and developed projects that include water, wastewater, hospitals, food banks, clinics, city halls, libraries, community centers, police vehicles, rehab centers, animal shelters, schools, and fire stations which has directly and indirectly improved the quality of life of 300,000 people in Idaho’s Panhandle. Before this recipient joins his wife, Mary, in retirement, we would like to recognize him for his efforts in helping communities overcome challenges that are unique to rural areas and that improve the vitality and sustainability of these communities. (Pictured at left: IRWA President Robert Dial and John Lynn, Community Programs Specialist, USDA Rural Development.)
Craig Hartman - Energy Management Corp.
Doug MacNichol Humanitarian AwardThis year we are recognizing Craig Hartman who died on December 20, 2020 of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, a rare type of blood cancer. We would like to recognize the contributions he gave during his 69-years of life. He joined Energy Management in 2003 as Vice President of Engineering. Craig was critical to EMC’s success through his technical leadership, expertise as a professional engineer and his selfless sharing of knowledge through seminars and webinars to thousands of individuals. He was part of a professional community of engineers who designed complex motor and generator systems for cities, hospitals, military bases, and sporting facilities. Co-worker Chet Crawford called “Craig one of the most loyal and selfless individuals he has known. He would make everyone else feel important and he had a rare gift to be able to communicate something that was highly technical in a way that anyone could understand.” Craig had a lifetime obsession with magic, a hobby he shared with his best friend, Kim for more than 50 years. They became a magical duo for fundraising and charity events throughout the Salt Lake Valley. As a magician, he selflessly brightened the days of thousands of individuals whether it was an associate dropping by his office or hundreds of children through his many volunteering activities.
City of American Falls
Idaho's Great American Taste Test WinnerThe City of American Falls claimed the 2021 title of Idaho’s best tasting drinking water during the Idaho Rural Water Association’s (IRWA) Spring Conference on May 26, 2021. Second place went to the Rogerson Water District in the Buhl area and the third-place winner was the City of Jerome. IRWA will send a representative of the City of American Falls to Washington D.C. with their system’s water to compete against the other states’ rural water association winners in a nationwide contest, The Great American Water Taste Test, which will take place in February 2022 as part of the Rural Water Rally. Finalists were selected in a preliminary round. The final round was judged by a panel of experts which included John Lynn, USDA Rural Development; Cassandra Lemmons, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Erik Boe, Idaho Department of Water Resources. Judges rated each water sample based on its clarity, bouquet and taste. Each of the judges commended the quality of water and noted the difficulty in choosing the best tasting water in the state. The City of American Falls’ water originates from Sunbeam Springs and six wells throughout the city that service 1,500 connections in a community with a population of 4,225. (Pictured at left: IRWA President Robert Dial and City of American Falls Water and Wastewater Employees: Charles Jones, Micah Miller, Daniel Weimer, and Andrew Tysor.)
