• About the MN-AWWA >
• Overview >
• Award Winners

Award Winners

Volunteer of the Year

• 2011—Jay Whitaker   
• 2010—Jeanette Boothe, MN Health Department
• 2009—Bo Johnston, Black and Veatch
• 2008—Lisa Vollbrecht, St. Cloud

Leonard N. Thompson Award

Leonard N. Thompson started his career with the St. Paul Water Utility on August 1, 1912 and continued working until June 1, 1964, serving as the utility's general manager for nearly 34 years. Many of the concepts, plans, and projects which he and his staff developed and built still serve the citizens of St. Paul.

During this time he spent countless hours on the American Water Works Association work, both for North Central Section and on a national level. He twice served as President of the American Water Works Association.

Leonard Thompson stands alone in our section in longevity, service to his community and service to the water industry. He loved his work, and to it he devoted his entire life. The Leonard N. Thompson Award was established by the North Central Section in remembrance of this outstanding individual. The award is made annually to a Minnesota Section member who typifies the standards that were emblematic of Thompson’s contributions to the Section and the water supply industry.

• 2011—Dan Boyce, East Grand Forks
• 2010—Doug Rovang, Rochester
• 2009—Scott Anderson, St. Louis Park
• 2008—Naeem Qureshi, PCE
• 2007—John Thom, Vadnais Heights
• 2006—Cliff McLain, Moorhead
• 2005—George Rosati, Mankato
• 2004—Allen Lamm, New Ulm
• 2003—Ed Sorensen, Eden Prairie
• 2002—Adam Kramer, Minneapolis
• 2001—Jim Haugen, St. Paul
• 2000—Verne Jacobson, St. Paul
• 1999—Gerald Allen, St. Paul
• 1998—Bernie Bullert, St. Paul
• 1997—John Hill, Crystal
• 1996—Dave Scheerer, Burnsville
• 1995—Duane Prew, St. Paul
• 1994—Doug Mandy, St. Paul
• 1993—Charles Taflin, Minneapolis
• 1992—Wayne Enney, Bloomington
• 1991—Larry J. Turner, Northfield
• 1990—Gerald Mahon, St. Cloud
• 1989—Richard Lukanen, Alexandria
• 1988—Gunilla Montgomery, Minneapolis
• 1987—Howard Radke, Woodbury
• 1986—Frank Keuler, Bloomington
• 1985—William Lloyd, Bloomington
• 1984—Gary Englund, Shoreview
• 1983—Clifford Setnes, So. St. Paul
• 1982—Larry D. Cole, Minneapolis
• 1981—Edwin Dunn, St. Cloud
• 1980—William J. Meuwissen, St. Paul
• 1979—Jim Boye, Mankato
• 1978—Robert Francis  Bismarck, N. D.
• 1977—Virgil Reller, Richfield
• 1976—Earl Carter, St. Paul
• 1975—Tillyer Hammer, St. James
• 1974—Harold Passe, Red Wing
• 1973—Norbert W. Radmer, Burnsville
• 1972—Roger Ebersole, Northfield
• 1971—Paul Johnson, Minneapolis
• 1970—Fred Thielman, St. Cloud
• 1969—Glendale Cass, Winona
• 1968—Ned Van Wambeke, West St. Paul
• 1967—William V. Lacina, Mankato
• 1966—Maynard T. Kays, St. Louis Park
• 1965—Lyle E. Else, Marshall
• 1964—Clarence H. Nelson, Detroit Lakes
• 1963—S. K. Svenkeson, Minot, N. D.
• 1962—Bernhard C. Woehler, Edina
• 1961—Willard J. Bell, Minneapolis
• 1960—M. H. Bischoff, Minneapolis

 

George Warren Fuller Award

George Warren Fuller was first of all a capable engineer, equipped with a mind that never closed a channel to new ideas. He was an inventive technician--first in the laboratory field, later in engineering and design. He was a skilled negotiator; a public relations counsel who never called himself one, but who by such skill persuaded reluctant city officials that they were very wise and right to authorize sanitary improvements. He was a loyal citizen who found himself able and willing to render service to his country during World War I. He was uncannily able to give ear to the ideas and aspirations of younger men in the field and to inspire in them some measure of the spirit of leadership that he possessed. He believed in the organization and assembly of technical and professional men and devoted himself fully to the advancement of their associations and societies to the end that they serve better through planned action and cooperation.

• 2011—Scott Anderson, St. Louis Park
• 2010—Doug Rovang, Rochester
• 2009—Dave Schultz, MN Health Dept.
• 2008—Jon Eaton, Bloomington
• 2007—Ben Mason, Lakeville
• 2006—Ed Sorensen, Eden Prairie
• 2005—Larry Cole, Williams (Retired-Minnesota Department of Health)
• 2004—Jarrod Christen, Detroit Lakes
• 2003—Yasser Abouaish, Minneapolis
• 2002—Jim Haugen, St. Paul
• 2001—Gerald Allen, St. Anthony
• 2000—Allen Lamm, Thief River Falls
• 1999—John Thom, Richfield
• 1998—Doug Mandy, St. Paul
• 1997—Bernie Bullert, St. Paul
• 1996—George Rosati, Mankato
• 1995—Dan Boyce, East Grand Forks
• 1994—Cliff McLain, Moorhead
• 1993—Harold Wobschall, Rochester
• 1992—Frank Keuler, Bloomington
• 1991—Verne E. Jacobsen, St. Paul
• 1990—Wayne E. Enney, Bloomington
• 1989—Larry J. Turner, Northfield
• 1988—Tim Mogren, St. Paul
• 1987—Gary Englund, Shoreview
• 1986—Duane Prew, St. Paul
• 1985—Leonard Dittrich, Golden Valley
• 1984—Carl Ahlgren, Minneapolis
• 1983—Robert Francis, Bismarck
• 1982—Robert Wigley, Eden Prairie
• 1981—Gerald Mahon, St. Cloud
• 1980—Francis Brennan, Rochester
• 1979—David Morris, Jr., St. Paul
• 1978—Al Forsman, Grand Forks
• 1977—William Lloyd, Bloomington
• 1976—Charles Taflin, Minneapolis
• 1975—Russell Snyder, Minneapolis
• 1974—Ned VanWambeke, West St. Paul
• 1973—Maynard T. Kays, St. Louis Park
• 1972—Bruce Boyer, Cloquet
• 1971—Ken Ruby, Fargo
• 1970—Manley "Mac" Thomas, Baudette
• 1969—Ben Woehler, Edina
• 1968—Dean Colvin, Hopkins
• 1967—Clifford W. Hamblin, St. Paul
• 1966—Williard J. Bell, Minneapolis
• 1965—M. D. Lubratovich, Duluth
• 1964—W. VanHeuvelen, Bismarck
• 1963—Elmer A. Huset, St. Paul
• 1962—Carl A. Flack, St. Paul
• 1961—Clayton Bach, Minneapolis
• 1960—Howard J. Sowden, Fergus Falls
• 1959—R. M. Jenson, Grand Forks
• 1958—H. H. Behlmer, Fargo
• 1957—George J. Schroepfer, Minneapolis
• 1955—William Yegen, Bismarck
• 1954—Herbert S. Grove, Stillwater
• 1953—Edgar Johnson, Minneapolis
• 1952—A. C. Janzig, Minneapolis
• 1951—R. A. Thuma, St. Paul
• 1948—Leonard N. Thompson, St. Paul
• 1946—W. D. Hurst, Winnipeg
• 1945—O. E. Brownell, Minneapolis
• 1942—Arthur F. Mellen, Minneapolis
• 1941—R. M. Finch, Minneapolis
• 1940—Felix Seligman, Duluth

Meritorious Service Award

The Operators' Meritorious Service Award is presented to an operator who, achieves continuous compliance with health standards, provides consistent and outstanding contributions to plant maintenance, develops new and modified equipment or significant process modifications to provide for a more efficient and effective treatment, and makes special efforts to provide training for water supply operators.

• 2011—Allen Young
• 2010—None Given
• 2009—Myron Volker, Owatonna
• 2005—Steve Burklund, Milaca
• 2005—Lyle Stai, Willmar
• 2004—Ken Seurer, Lakeville
• 2002—Ken Friederichs, Sauk Centre
• 2000—Gary Peters, Wadena
• 1999—Dick Nagy, Hutchinson
• 1997—Pete Moulton, St. Peter
• 1996—Gary Hultberg, East Grand Forks
• 1995—Glen Gerads, Bloomington
• 1993—Tom Sakry, International Falls
• 1993—Lowell "Duffy" Day, Minnetonka Beach
• 1990—Bart Murphy, Willmar
• 1989—Herm Bartz, Waite Park
• 1988—Tom Dunn, St. Cloud
• 1987—Bill Lloyd, Bloomington
• 1986—Donald Beckman, Blaine
• 1984—Vergil Reller, Bloomington

To nominate someone for the Operator's Meritorious Service Award, select here.

 

Best in Glass Water Taste Test

To recognize the community-water supply that achieves the "best tasting water" in Minnesota. Communities from all around Minnesota submit a sample of their system's water at the annual MN AWWA conference where it is judged by water industry professionals. The judging criteria is based on clarity, taste, and odor.

• 2011 — 1st Place- City of St. Cloud
• 2010 — 1st Place- Moorhead Public Service
• 2009 — 1st Place- Moorhead Public Service, 2nd Place- City of Bloomington and City of St. Cloud (tie).

 

 

 

 

 

Drinking Water Week Community Recognition Award

The Minnesota Section American of the American Water Works Association (MN AWWA) announces a new opportunity for utilities and municipalities to earn prestige for their efforts in celebrating Drinking Water Week.

The new “Community Recognition Award” will be presented to a community that demonstrates creativity and outreach efforts to promote and celebrate Drinking Water Week, which is celebrated the first week in May. The winning community will be presented with the award during a community meeting or event, to maximize positive public recognition for the community. In addition, MN AWWA will send a press release to the local media to announce the community’s achievement, and will provide the community with a gift certificate to purchase products from the AWWA Bookstore.

 

• 2011 - City of Bloomington

 

Kenneth J. Miller Water For People Award

The Minnesota Section American of the American Water Works Association (MN AWWA) announces a new opportunity for utilities and municipalities to earn prestige for their efforts in celebrating Drinking Water Week.

The new “Community Recognition Award” will be presented to a community that demonstrates creativity and outreach efforts to promote and celebrate Drinking Water Week, which is celebrated the first week in May. The winning community will be presented with the award during a community meeting or event, to maximize positive public recognition for the community. In addition, MN AWWA will send a press release to the local media to announce the community’s achievement, and will provide the community with a gift certificate to purchase products from the AWWA Bookstore.

 

• 2011 - Dave Holland

Meter Madness

To recognize the individual contestant who successfully assembles their own water meter in the least amount of time.

• 2010— 1st Place- Robert Zwiener, City of St. Cloud (00:49), 2nd Place- Patrick Conrad, City of Bloomington (00:51), 3rd Place-Harvey Maas, City of Duluth (1:02).
• 2009— 1st Place- Harvey Maas, City of Duluth (1:03 seconds), 2nd Place- Brian Linder, City of Wells (1:04 seconds), 3rd Place- Roger Hagman, Bemidji (1:06 seconds).

Zwiener will represent the section at the 2010 AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition in Washington, DC.  HD Supply and Sensus Meters donated the meters for the competition.

 

 

Tapping Contest

• 2010— 1st Place- City of Minneapolis (Peter Daszkiewicz, Brian Olson, Carry Pagel, Joel Tiedt) with a time of 2:38. 2nd Place- Duluth Utility Tappers (Harvey Maas, Joe Gerard, David Cook, Harry Webster) with a time of 2:59. 3rd Place- Third place: WAMM Tappers from St. Cloud Technical Colleged (Chad Ross, Travis Olufson, Jake Kreutner, Joe Nygaard, Scott Galanius, coached by Bill Spain) with a time of 6:16. 

 

 

 

 

Membership Achievement Award

To recognize the section member that achieves the greatest increase in new members in one year.

• 2009-Dan Finnegan, Roger Glanzer, Bo Johnston, Carol Kaszynski, Adam Markos, Pete Moulton, Linda Mullen, Cory Schouten, Tony Schrantz, Bill Spain, Bert Tracy, Myron Volker, and Tom Welle.
• 2008—Brian Bergantine, Roger Glanzer, Bo Johnston, Pete Moulton, George Rosati, Steve Schneider, Bill Spain, Bert Tracy, Myron Volker, Gary Warner, and Tom Welle.
• 2007—Corey Lubovich
• 2006—Keith Redmond
• 2005—Keith Redmond
• 2004—Keith Redmond
• 2003—Keith Redmond
• 2002—Glen Gerads
• 2001—Jerry Smith
• 2000—Bill Spain and John Thom
• 1999—Bill Spain
• 1998—Bill Spain
• 1997—Bill Spain
• 1996—John Lapointe
• 1995—Dan Boyce
• 1994—David Schultz
• 1993—Doug Mandy
• 1992—John Redmond
• 1991—David Schultz
• 1990—Todd Bredesen
• 1989—Howard Radke
• 1988—Mark Sweers
• 1987—Douglas Mandy
• 1986—Larry Turner
• 1985—Larry Turner
• 1984—Gerald Mahon
• 1983—Ron Bauer
• 1982—Dave Peterson
• 1981—Gerald Mahon
• 1980—Jim Boye
• 1979—William Lloyd
• 1978—Ken Ruby
• 1977—Robert Wigley
• 1976—Gerald Mahon
• 1975—Francis Brennan
• 1974—Don Asmus
• 1973—Gerald Mahon
• 1972—Robert Wigley
• 1971—Gerald Mahon
• 1970—Robert Wigley
• 1969—Norb Radmer
• 1968—Norb Radmer

Gold Water Drop Award—50 Year AWWA Member

• Willard J. Bell
• Bernard Grodlin
• Arndt J. Duvall
• Conrad D. Straub
• Clayton M. Bach
• Dean Colvin
• F. W. Packard
• Joseph T. Ling
• John V. Palmer
• Walter K. Johnson
• D. C. Vry
• Earl N. Ruble
• Eugene Eilers
• Carl J. Ahlgren
• City of Brooklyn Center
• Albert Holler
• Verne Jacobsen
• William Lloyd
• Duane Nowlin

Life Member- 30 Year AWWA Member

• 1980 Terrance Brueck, Saint Paul (EMA, Inc.)
• 1980 Russell Stammer, Rochester (Bonestroo)
• 1980 Richard Nagy, Hutchinson
• 1980 Randy Devries, Hutchinson
• 1980 Paul Halvorson, Rochester (MDH)
• 1980 Michael Luhrsen, Duluth (MDH)
• 1980 George Rosati, Mankato
• 1980 Ed Sorensen, Eden Prairie
• 1980 Allen Robeck, Glencoe
• 1980 Allen Lamm, New Ulm
• 1979 Robert Magnuson, Duluth (Era Labs, Inc.)
• 1979 Jimmie B. Gates, Bloomington
• 1979 Clifford L. McLain, Moorhead
• 1976 Thomas Roushar
• 1976 Ron Vasko
• 1976 Philip Parsons
• 1976 Mark Sweers
• 1976 Kenneth Robinson
• 1976 Karl Streed
• 1976 Joseph Pawlowski
• 1976 Joseph Bettendorf
• 1976 John Thom
• 1976 Jay Whitaker
• 1976 Greg Volkart
• 1976 Carroll Flaten
• 1975 William Trygstad, Albert Lea
• 1975 Steven J. Kleist, Ely
• 1975 Robert E. King, Savage
• 1975 Michael J. Semmens, Minneapolis
• 1975 Larry Grafenstein, Bird Island
• 1975 Curtis B. Tvinnereim, Plymouth
• 1974 Jim Henry
• 1974 Bob Polston
• 1974 Bernie Bullert, St Paul
• 1974 Adam Kramer, Minneapolis
• 1973 Richard Taufen, St Joseph
• 1973 Lloyd Pauly, Chanhassen
• 1973 Gary Englund, Eagan
• 1973 Bob Larget, Rochester
• 1973 Ben Mason, Lakeville
• 1972 Ronald Selvey, Staples
• 1972 James Prusak, Cloquet
• 1972 Alan Manning, St. Paul
• 1971 Larry D. Cole, Williams
• 1969 Roger Freiberg, St. Paul
• 1969 Robert F. Roskopf, Minnetonka
• 1969 Larry Cole, Minneapolis
• 1969 James Stanhope, Hoyt Lakes
• 1969 Gerald Mahon, St. Cloud
• 1968 Roger A. Mohrer, Maplewood
• 1968 Robert R. Pfefferle, Rogers
• 1968 Harold Haugh, Albert Lea
• 1968 Dennis Martenson, Minneapolis
• 1968 D. Dean Spatz, Excelsior
• 1967 Jim F. Hayek, Minneapolis
• 1967 Donald S. Atwood, Minneapolis
• 1967 Charles O. Taflin, Champlin
• 1966 Thomas D. Mogren, St. Paul
• 1966 Gerald S. Allen, St. Paul
• 1966 David C. Rutford, Duluth
• 1965 Francis P. Brennan, Rochester
• 1965 Carl Zieman, Excelsior
• 1964 Russell E. Snyder, Minnetonka
• 1964 Lawrence J. Turner, Northfield
• 1964 Bob Ringhofer, North Mankato
• 1963 Richard L. Johnson, Red Wing
• 1962 Raymond A. Odde, Minneapolis
• 1962 Donald V. Beckman, Blaine
• 1961 Otto Bonestroo, St. Paul
• 1961 Eugene Hickok, Wayzata
• 1961 Duane T. Prew, Shoreview
• 1961 Bruce R. Kelley, Orono
• 1960 William Lloyd, Bloomington
• 1960 Verne E. Jacobsen, St. Paul
• 1960 Howard J. Hawkins, Minneapolis
• 1960 Gerhard J. C. Limpert, Minneapolis
• 1960 Duanne D. Nowlin, St. Paul
• 1959 Lloyd A Larson, Remer
• 1959 Charles S. Barger, Jr., Bloomington
• 1957 Kenneth Ruby, Fargo
• 1957 Frank Orthmeyer, Grand Forks
• 1956 Wm. Schoell, Hopkins
• 1956 Wm. Meuwissen, St. Paul
• 1956 Willard Webster, Williston
• 1956 Marvin Skodje, Rochester
• 1956 Ebhardt Grefe, Truman
• 1955 Elmer Huset, St. Paul
• 1954 Robert Wigley, Eden Prairie
• 1952 Eugene Eilers, Canby
• 1952 Earl Ruble, Duluth
• 1952 Carl Ahlgren, Minneapolis
• 1950 Walter K. Johnson, Minneapolis
• 1950 Robert J. Ellison, Minnetonka
• 1950 M. D. Lubratovich, St. Paul
• 1950 John Palmer, Plymouth
• 1950 David B. Morris, Jr., St. Paul
• 1949 Erik D. Peterson, Jamestown
• 1949 Dr. Joseph T. Ling, St. Paul
• 1949 A. W. Banister, St. Paul
• 1948 F. W. Packard, Minneapolis
• 1947 Louis Veigel, Dickinson
• 1947 George Toman, Mandan
• 1947 Clifford Hamblin, St. Paul
• 1947 Bruce R. Boyer, Sturgeon Lake
• 1946 E. J. Booth, Bismarck
• 1945 Dean E. Colvin, Hopkins
• 1945 Charles R. Podas, Edina
• 1943 George Schroepher, Minneapolis
• 1941 Dr. Conrad Straub, Columbia Heights
• 1941 Clayton M. Bach, Minneapolis
• 1941 Arndt Duvall, St. Paul
• 1939 Howard Sowden, Fergus Falls
• 1937 R. E. Hemborg, Edina
• 1935 David B. Morris Sr., St. Paul
• 1931 Milt Rosen, St. Paul
• 1927 William Yegen, Bismarck
• 1921 Ole Forsberg, Hibbing
• 1919 Charles Foster, Duluth

 

AWWA Honorary Members

This award is presented each year to individuals “whose knowledge and accomplishments in the field of water supply entitle him/her to special recognition.”  An Honorary Member shall have all the rights and privileges of an Active Member and shall be exempt from paying dues.

• Willard J. Bell
• Norbert J. Davoust
• Clifford Hamblin
• Elmer Huset
• Gerald Mahon
• Verne E. Jacobsen
• Gary Englund
• Doug "The Supreme Commander" Mandy

Ronald M. Finch Awards

• 1959—Clayton Bach, Minneapolis
• 1958—Carl Ahlgren, Roseville
• 1957—Nels Haagenson, Fergus Falls
• 1956—Carl A. Flack, St. Paul
• 1955—Ira Vraalstad, St. Louis Park
• 1954—William Yegen, Bismarck
• 1953—Howard J. Sowden, Fergus Falls
• 1952—Fred Kriesel, Ortonville
• 1951—C. F. Wimer, Hastings

Gimmicks and Gadgets

• 1981— Charles Taflin, Minneapolis - 3rd Place
• 1980— William Hanggi, Coon Rapids - 3rd Place
• 1979— Leonard Dittrich, Golden Valley - 1st Place
• 1978— William Lloyd, Bloomington - 3rd Place

Complete List of AWWA Awards

American Water Works Association Awards.