Outstanding achievements recognized at ACE25

An esteemed list of individuals and organizations were presented with awards during the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE25) in Denver.

AWWA President Cheryl Porter and Chief Executive Officer David LaFrance presented the awards at an exclusive luncheon Monday following the opening general session, shining a spotlight on achievements ranging from outstanding research contributions to operator heroism in the field. Awards presented included:

Abel Wolman Award of Excellence – which recognizes an individual with dedication to excellence in the water community
Kelley Dearing Smith, vice president of marketing and communications at Louisville Water Company, Kentucky Section

Dr. John L. Leal Award – recognizes exceptional contributions to public health and water safety, often through groundbreaking research
Dr. Joe Jacangelo, director of research at Stantec and adjunct faculty at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Virginia Section

A.P. Black Research Award – recognizes outstanding research contributions to water science and water supply practices
Dr. Karl Gregory Linden, chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Rocky Mountain Section

Water Industry Hall of Fame Award – commemorates extraordinary leadership and vision, shaping the future of the water industry
Dr. Rhodes Trussell, civil and corrosion engineer, California/Nevada Section

Volunteer of the Year Award – celebrates service toward advancing the mission of AWWA
Dr. Betsy Reilley, former director of environmental quality, water and wastewater, New England Section

Exemplary Source Water Protection Award – recognizes drinking water systems that have developed and implemented model practices to ensure the quality and safety of drinking water
Virgin Valley Water District (medium-sized drinking water system), California/Nevada Section;
Central Arkansas Water (large system), Little Rock, Arkansas, Southwest Section

Public Communications Achievement Award – recognizes advancements in the ways water communicators are informing and engaging the public
Alison Rauch (individual), Greer Commission of Public Works, South Carolina Section;
Great Lakes Water Authority (large utility), Michigan Section

Publications Award – most notable article (scientific or practical) published in Journal AWWA in 2024.
Nancy Toth, Craig Harper, Matthew Del Moro, Robert M. Henry, Dr. Erica C. Fischer, and Emily Jane Davis for their article that explored the 2020 Labor Day wildfires in Oregon.

Chuck Van Der Kolk Award – recognizes the AWWA member who recruited the most new members in a calendar year.
Hillary Caron, Michigan Section

Zenno A. Gorder Award – honors the top Section staff recruiter of the year.
Annie Storey, Illinois Section

Five under 35 Award – celebrates the next generation of water community leaders
Mariana Anguiano, Texas Section
Kara Cunningham, West Virginia Section
Dane Elliott, Ohio Section
Nicole Proto, Virginia Section
Bailey Keller, Texas Section

Diversity and Inclusion Award – celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion within the field
Tony Carnell (individual), general manager at Henry County Water Authority, Georgia Section
SETH Program (organizational), Texas Section

Heroism Award – given to a water professional who has demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness in the face of a critical situation
Mike Day, South Dakota Section
Ernest Dyson (posthumously), Chesapeake Section

Jack W. Hoffbuhr Award – given to a stellar staff member from one of AWWA’s 43 Sections
Jenny Ingrao, New York Section

Distinguished Public Service Award – given to an AWWA member who has displayed exemplary service outside the scope of their work
Steve Walden, water resource and regulatory consultant, Texas Section

Outstanding Service to AWWA Award – given to a water community leader who has committed considerable time and energy toward AWWA and its programs
Dr. Chi Ho Sham of the New England Section, longtime member and a past president of AWWA

Lifetime Honorary Membership Award – given to an individual who has dedicated their life’s work to the water community and AWWA
Sally Mills-Wright, assistant director at Dallas Water Utilities, Texas Section