National Ground Water Association

NGWA Awards of Excellence

Ross L. Oliver Award

M. King Hubbert Award

Brian Berkowitz, Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, is this year’s recipient of the M. King Hubbert Award, presented to a person who has made major science or engineering contributions to the knowledge of groundwater through research, technical papers, teaching, and practical applications.

Robert Storm Award

John W. Henrich, MGWC, CVCLD, Bergerson-Caswell Inc., Maple Plain, Minnesota, is the recipient of this year’s Robert Storm Interdivisional Cooperation Award. This award is presented to a person or team who through their activities or written works contribute to promoting collaboration, enhancing cooperation, and fostering community along all groundwater professionals and to advancing the mutual interests of all those interested in communicating the importance of the Earth’s water resources.

Life Member Awards

The Life Member Award is presented to retired NGWA members or members of retirement age who have contributed a special service in the furtherance of the groundwater industry or to NGWA.

Honorary Member Award    

Jane Wittke, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, Cincinnati, Ohio, will receive the 2012 Honorary Member Award, presented to persons of eminence from outside the groundwater industry who have contributed a special service to the industry or to NGWA.

Technology Award

Ray Roussy, PE, Sonic Drill Corp./Sonic Drilling Ltd., Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, will receive the 2012 Technology Award, presented to a person who has made major contributions to the groundwater industry in the development of ideas, tools, and equipment; techniques of well construction; exemplary service to coworkers through the industry in sharing these developments; or performing services for the protection of the groundwater resource and the consuming public.

Individual Safety Advocate Award

Jim Wright, National Exploration, Wells and Pumps, Shawnee, Kansas, is this year’s recipient of the Individual Safety Advocate Award. This award recognizes a person who has made significant contributions to promoting, improving, maintaining, and enhancing safety in daily working operations.

Special Recognition Awards

The Special Recognition Award is presented to an individual or organization that demonstrates dedication, service, and commitment to the groundwater industry and community through involvement and achievement on a local or regional level.

Water Replenishment District of Southern California, Lakewood, California.






Stephen Baker, Operation Unite® Water Alliance, Nevada City, California.

Standard Bearer Award

Scott Fowler, CWD/PI, Dahlman Pump & Well Drilling Inc., Burlington, Washington, will receive the 2012 Standard Bearer Award, presented to outstanding volunteers involved in the legislative process on behalf of NGWA and its initiatives.

Groundwater Protector

U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota) received the 2012 Groundwater Protector Award, which recognizes outstanding public service in conjunction with groundwater conservation, protection, and use. (Please note that the Groundwater Protector Award was presented at the 2012 NGWA Washington Fly-in.)

Outstanding Groundwater Project Awards

Groundwater Protection

Mesa Water District (California) will receive the Outstanding Groundwater Project Award–Protection for their innovations and advancements in the Colored Water Treatment Facility Technology Replacement and Expansion Project. This award demonstrates a unique and innovative solution in protecting groundwater from overdraft and contamination.

Groundwater Remediation

ARCADIS will receive the Outstanding Groundwater Project Award–Remediation for their innovations and advancements in the Advanced Water Treatment Research Program for Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water. This award demonstrates excellence in restoring contaminated groundwater or overdrafted groundwater resources.

Divisional Awards

John Hem Award for Excellence in Science & Engineering

Paul Hsieh, Ph.D., U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California, will receive the 2012 John Hem Award for Excellence in Science & Engineering. This award is presented by the Scientists and Engineers Division in recognition of significant, recent (within five years) scientific or engineering contributions to the understanding of groundwater. The award is presented annually for significant contributions from either a single publication or a body of works.

Keith E. Anderson Award

John Jansen, Ph.D., PG, PGP, Cardno ENTRIX, West Bend, Wisconsin, will receive the 2012 Keith E. Anderson Award, presented by the Scientists and Engineers Division in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Association.

Manufacturer's Division Special Recognition Award

George Simas, Flexcon Industries, Randolph, Massachusetts, will receive the 2012 Manufacturer's Division Special Recognition Award, which is given annually by the Manufacturers Division to honor an individual’s accomplishments in the groundwater manufacturing industry including, but not limited to, industry improvements, special education contributions, and patents and technology.

Supplier of the Year Award

Greg Esborg, Preferred Pump & Equipment LP, Tacoma, Washington, will receive the 2012 Supplier of the Year Award, presented by the Suppliers Division in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Association.