2010 AMTA Awards

Hall of Fame Awards and Lifetime Honorary Member

John W. Arnold

Award inscribed: In recognition of his many achievements, including several significant “BOOT” projects, effectively advancing the membrane industry during a distinguished career of over 40 years.

Welsh & Graduate of Imperial College of London, UK
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
Low Handicapped golfer & resides in Pine Hurst, NC
40 + Yr career in membrane water treatment
Starting with U.K.’s Ames Crosta; 2 tenures (totaling 25 yrs) at Ionics; before & after heading-up Hydranautics as a Sr. V.P. (11 yrs) finishing up as President at Toray Membrane America
All around desalting technician coordinating numerous significant brackish & seawater RO “BOOT” projects.
Left retirement – consulting for Desalcott in Trinidad

Pictured accepting on behalf of John W. Arnold - Peter Waldron (former colleague at Ionics)

Professor James S. Taylor, Ph.D., P.E.

Award inscribed: In recognition of his dedication to the application of membrane technologies, particularly as a tool in potable water treatment while at the University of Central Florida; also, for his advisement, encouragement, and mentoring of the many students in their pursuit of masters and/or doctoral degrees related to membrane processes.

Football Star at Oklahoma State knee injury ended pro prospects - father knew Pretty Boy Floyd
Ph.D. from U of Fla (Ed Singley) – Joined UCF 1977
Authored RO & NF chapter in AWWARF publication & Membrane chapter in AWWA “Water Quality & Treat.”
Past Pres. of FS AWWA & AWWA National Dir.
Founder & Chair of AWWA Membrane Conference
Principal Investigator conducting research for AWWARF,USEPA & KIWA – Integrated Membranes
Alexander Professorship Water & Wastewater Treat

Pictured accepting on behalf of Professor James S. Taylor - Steve Duranceau (1st PhD student)

Water Quality of the Year Award

Professor Desmond Lawler, Ph.D. (University of Texas at Austin)

Award inscribed: In recognition of his significant research contributions to improving general drinking water quality and supply, in particular his recent focus on pretreatment for membrane processes that allows improved water recovery for reverse osmosis desalination

Youngest of 7 grew up in NY. While at college, competed in cross-country running. Received 3 degrees different decades
Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering – U. of N Carolina at Chapel Hill 1980 Joined Faculty of U. of Texas same year.
Distinguished Teaching Professor 1997 & AWWA’s A.P. Black Award 1999
Researched particulate removal with membranes as well as conventional treatment.
Current focus membrane pretreatment to improve RO recovery in desalination.

Pictured accepting on behalf of Professor Desmond Lawler - Shane Walker (Graduate student, University of Texas)

Outstanding Member Award

Steve J. Lash (Reiss Engineering, Inc.)

Award inscribed: In recognition of his many contributions to the Association, specifically the outstanding coordination of AMTA’s Newsletter “Solutions” and his efforts in making the AMTA’s Technology Transfer Workshop in San Juan, PR a success.

B.S. Environmental Engineering – Pennsylvania State U.
Employed by Division 2B Member as Project Engineer
Expertise in 3D Design, CAD & Computer Modeling
Accomplished Rugby Player
Affiliated with AMTA & AWWA
Coordinator for newsletter “Solutions”
Proficient in assisting with Tech Transfer Workshops

Pictured accepting - Steve J. Lash

Membrane Facility Award

Yucaipa Valley Regional Water Filtration Facility

Award inscribed: In recognition of the successful combination of microfiltration (MF) and nanofiltration (NF) membrane Processes in a potable application for treating a surface water supply in an integrated water resource approach to produce a finished water that exceeds regulatory requirements in addressing the over-drafting of the traditional ground water supply.

Integrated multiple water resources
State Water Project augmented by 2 surface supplies – Santa Ana River & Mill Creek
MF & partial NF treatment to match existing round water characteristics
40 Functional Well Sites & 30 Off Site Reservoirs
8 Operators & 1 Supervisor
8 MGD Average Daily Operating Flow
Non-potable Reuse of MF backwash & NF concentrate

Pictured accepting on behalf of Yucaipa Valley Regional Water Filtration Facility - Robert Wall, Water Superintendant, YVWD

Robert O. Vernon Award

Wayne Wright (Irvine Ranch Water District)

Award inscribed: In recognition of his excellent leadership as an operator and supervisor of Water Production and Treatment for the Water Systems Operation Department where he successfully maintains production and operation of the District’s DATS nanofiltration WTP for color removal and the District’s IDP reverse osmosis WTP for desalting.

Planning to be a rancher – studied agri-business
Growing up – Bommer Canyon cattle round-up was big annual event
Over 30 yrs experience @ the same utility
Starting in Construction & Repair, then Preventative Maintenance, Distribution & eventually Plant Operations
Has successfully overseen 2 high profile projects recently come online
Joined & was active participant in SWMOA’s 1st year
Avid Angels fan – season tickets past 5 years

Pictured accepting - Wayne Wright

2010/2011 AMTA/NWRI Fellowship

Yaolin Liu (George Washington University)

Yaolin Liu is a 1st year Ph.D. student from Civil and Environmental Engineering Department in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the George Washington University. She is studying under Advisors Dr. Baoxia Mi. Her fellowship winning application submitted under the title of “Biofouling of Forward Osmosis Membranes: Mechanisms and Fouling Control.”

Pictured - Yaolin Liu

Alberto Tiraferri (Yale University)

Alberto Tiraferri is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Yale University, Environmental Engineering Program. He is studying under Advisor Dr. Menachem Elimelch. His fellowship winning application submitted under the title of “Nanocomposite Polymeric Membranes for Enhanced Water and Energy Production in Membrane Based Separation Systems.”

Pictured - Alberto Tiraferri

Presidential Awards

Irving Moch, Jr., Ph.D. ( I. Moch & Associates, Inc.)

Award inscribed: In recognition of his service as Annual Conference Program Chair, this award acknowledges his leadership and commitment to the technical quality that enhances the mission of the association.

Pictured accepting - Irving Moch

Coley Ali (Professional Water Technologies, Inc.)

Award inscribed: In recognition of his dedicated efforts in support of AMTA’s mission to improve America’s water supplies.

Pictured accepting - Coley Ali

Bryan Lovan, P.E. (Kentucky Engineering Group, PLLC)

Award inscribed: In recognition of his consistent service to the association, this award acknowledges his dedication to the improvement of the Annual Conference Poster Session.

Pictured accepting - Bryan Lovan

Recognition & Service Awards

Steve Messner (Collier County Utilities)

Award inscribed: In recognition of his contribution to water desalination, membrane technology and water supply improvement and as a special thank you for his dedication and service as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association.

Pictured accepting on behalf of Steve Messner - Robert Oreskovich (former fellow South FL Membrane WTP Operator & close friend)

Best Paper Award

Award inscribed: In recognition of the outstanding preparation and presentation of a technical paper

The best paper award received the highest rating by the session moderator. A perfect score of 60/60 and was awarded to:

Robert “Bob” McVicker, Mesa Consolidated Water District
“Treatment of High Color, Low TDS Groundwater Using Low Rejection Polyethersulfone Nanofiltration Membranes”

Pictured - Robert "Bob" McViker

Best Poster Award

Award inscribed: In recognition of the outstanding preparation and presentation of a poster session

The best poster award selected by the Poster Session Moderators was based on having the best clarity & graphics, applicability of subject to AMTA and presentation style with a perfect score of 10/10 and was presented to:

Jami Cerone, HDR Engineering
“Got Treatment…What About a Place for the Waste?' The Need to
Develop a Concentrate Management Plant Prior to Desalination
Treatment Selection”

Pictured - Jami Cerone

Best Student Paper Award

Award inscribed: In recognition of the outstanding preparation and presentation of a technical paper by a student presenter

The best student paper award received the highest rating by the session moderator. A score of 54/60 and was awarded to:

Loreen Villacorte
“Irreversible Fouling of Ultrafiltration Membranes caused by
Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP) in Seawater UF-RO
Treatment, (Inline) Coagulation or Precoating for Seawater
UF/RO Systems?”

Pictured - Loreen Villacorte

Past Award Recipients

Every other year during our Biennial Conference, AMTA recognizes outstanding performance by individuals and companies furthering AMTA’s mission to advance the understanding and use of membrane technology to treat municipal, industrial, commercial, agricultural and waste waters. Below is a list of the awards and respective honorees since 1992.

HALL OF FAME AWARD given in recognition of pioneering and/or lifetime contribution by an individual to water supply or water reuse improvements:

1994 Langdon W. Owen (1972 NWSIA Co-Founder, California)

1994 William E. Warne (1972 NWSIA Co-Founder, California)

1994 Jack Jorgensen (1985-93 NWSIA Executive Director, Maryland)

1994 Bea Jorgensen (1985-93 NWSIA Executive Staff, Maryland)

1995 Walter L. Barnes (Desalting Consultant, North Carolina)

1996 Gordon F. Leitner (Leitner & Associates, Wisconsin)

1996 Floyd Meller (Meller Associates, Massachusetts)

1996 Richard A. Smith (Water Desalination Report, Maryland)

1998 Robert Carnahan (University of South Florida, Florida)

1998 Neil Cline (Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, California)

2000 Ed Geishecker (Ionics, Inc., Massachusetts)

2000 Lou Beck (Department of Water Resources, California)

2002 Irving Moch, Jr. (I. Moch & Associates, Inc., Delaware)

2004 Ian C. Watson (RosTeK Associates, Inc., Florida)

2006 Richard G. Sudak (Separation Proccesses, Inc., California)

2006 Robert L. Riley (Separation Systems Technology, Inc., California)

2007 John E. Potts (Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., Florida)

2007 C. Peter Darby (California)

2007 John E. Cadotte (The Dow Chemical Co./FilmTec Corp., Florida)

2008 Donald T. Bray (California)

2008 Seymour S. Kremen, Ph.D., J.D. (presented posthumously)

2008 Professor Sidney Loeb, Ph.D. (Israel)

2009 David Furukawa, P.E. and Professor Julius "Bud" Glater, Ph.D

WATER QUALITY PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD given in recognition of contribution by an individual in government, academia, research or related field to water supply improvement:

1992     Bill Katz (in recognition of the design of the reversal technique (EDR),
               “Triple Membrane” technique, privatization of Santa Barbara SWRO,
              and as founding member of AWWA’s Desalting Committee)

1996 Senator Paul Simon (U.S. Senate, Illinois)

1998 Paul Gagliardo (City of San Diego, California)

1998 Peter MacLaggan (Water Resource Consultant, California)

2000 Lou Beck (Department of Water Resources, California)

2002 Congresswomen Karen Thurman (5th Congressional District, Florida)

2004 Kevin Price, (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado)

2006 James S. Taylor, Ph.D., P.E (University of Central Florida, Florida)

2008 James “Red” Weddell, P.E. (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas)

2009 Claude A. "Bud" Lewis (Mayor of City of Carlsbad and Chair of San Diego County Water Authority

ROBERT O. VERNON AWARD given in recognition of contribution to water supply improvement by an individual working at a desalting or water reuse facility:

1992 Bill Dunivin II (Orange County Water District, California)

1994 Lynn Bolin (City of Dunedin, Florida)

1996 Robert Oreskovich (Dare County Water, North Carolina)

1998 Byron Weightman (City of Fort Myers, Florida)

2000 Randy Hines (Jupiter Water System, Florida)

2000 Randy Garay (Collier County, Public Works Division, Florida)

2002 John Morton (City of Sarasota, Florida)

2004 Philip Noe (The Island Water Association, Florida)

2006 Steve Messner (Collier County Utilities, Florida)

2007 Brad Macek (City of Port St. Lucie, Florida)

2008 James Dickerson (Sweetwater Authority, California)

2009 Harley Slater (Yucaipa Valley Water District)

OUTSTANDING MEMBER, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD given in recognition of contribution to water supply improvement through individual effort in desalting or water reuse by an AMTA Member:

1994 Walter L. Barnes, Jr. (Desalting Consultant, North Carolina)

1994 William R. Mills, Jr. (Orange County Water District, California)

1996 John E. Potts (Kimley-Horn & Associates, Florida)

1998 Cloice Whitley (Harlingen Waterworks, Texas)

2000 Ian Watson (AEPI/RosTek, Inc., Florida)

2002 Afton Pumps (Harold Derr and David Derr , Texas)

2004 Reiss Environmental, Inc. (Florida)

2006 Carl Spangenberg ( Irvine Ranch Water District, California)

2007 Mehul Patel (Orange County Water District, California)

2008 Lance R. Littrell, P.E., (Reiss Engineering, Inc., Florida)

2009 WATEK Engineering Corporation

PRESIDENTIAL AWARD given to acknowledge individuals that have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the American Membrane Technology Association:

1992 Pat Burke (International Desalination Association, Massachusetts)

1992 Bill Everest (Boyle Engineering, California)

1992 Dave Furukawa (Separations Consultants, Inc., California)

1992 Jack Jorgensen (1985-93 NWSIA Executive Director, Maryland)

1992 Bea Jorgensen (1985-93 NWSIA Executive Staff, Maryland)

1992 William R. Mills, Jr. (Orange County Water District, California)

1992 Martin Rigby (Orange County Water District, California)

1992 Suseme H. Suemoto (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation)

1992 U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

1992 Noble Waite (Orange County Water District, California)

1994 Steve Cappos (Fluid Systems, California)

1994 Edward P. Geishecker (Ionics, Massachusetts)

1994 Thomas Leahy III (City of Virginia Beach, Virginia)

1994 James Lozier (CH2M Hill, Arizona)

1996 Leon Awerbuch (Bechtel Corporation, Maryland)

1996 Edward Geishecker (Ionics, Massachusetts)

1996 William R. Mills, Jr. (Orange County Water District, California)

1996 Town of Jupiter Water System (Florida)

1998 Lynne Gulizia (Hydranautics, Inc., California)

1998 Robert Oreskovich (Dare County Water, North Carolina)

1998 David Brown (Jupiter Water System, Florida)

1998 David Derr (Afton Pumps, Inc., Texas)

2000 Robert Yamada (San Diego County Water Authority, California)

2000 Doug Eisberg (Progressive Composite Technologies, California)

2000 Robert Oreskovich (Dare County Water, North Carolina)

2000 Ben Movahed (WATEK Engineering Corporation, Maryland)

2000 Stuart McClellan (The Dow Chemical Company, Florida)

2002 Robert Yamada (San Diego County Water Authority, California)

2002 Ian C. Watson (RosTeK Associates, Inc., Florida)

2002 Ben Movahed (WATEK Engineering Corporation, Maryland)

2002 Doug Eisberg (Bekaert Progressive Composites, California)

2002 Janet L. Jaworski (Reiter Lowry Consultants, California)

2004 Tom Seacord (Carollo Engineers, P.C, Idaho.)

2004 Michael Pilutti (URS Corporation, Ohio)

2004 Rand y Truby (Hydranautics, California)

2006 Carl Behrens (City of Cape May, New Jersey)

2006 Steven J. Duranceau, Ph.D., P.E. (Boyle Engineering Corporation, Florida)

2006 Casimir F. “Casey” Jaworski (Jawle Consulting, Inc., Florida)

2006 Kelcia Mazana (Reiss Environmental, Inc., Florida)

2007 Doug Eisberg (Bekaert Progressive Composites, California)

2007 Ben Movahed, P.E (WATEK Engineering, Maryland)

2007 Ian C. Watson, P.E. (RosTek Associates, Inc., Florida)

2007 Bob Yamada (San Diego County Water Authority, California)

2008 Steven J. Duranceau, Ph.D., P.E. (University of Central Florida, Florida)

2008 Tom Seacord (Carollo Engineers, P.C., Idaho)

2008 Lynne Gulizia (Toray Membrane USA, Inc., California)

2008 Stuart McClellan (Successfully Applied Membranes, Florida)

2009 Clara Ogren-Rubalcaba and Vincent Tursi

MEMBRANE FACILITY AWARD given in recognition of engineering excellence in the design of a desalting facility:

1996 Jupiter Membrane Desalting WTP (Florida)

1998 Ian C. Watson, (AEPI/RosTek, Inc., California)

2000 Dick Sudak (Separation Processes, Inc., California)

2002 Boyle Engineering Corporation (Sarasota County T. Mabry Carlton Water Treatment Plant and USA largest electrodialysis membrane process in operation today, Sarasota, Florida)

2006 James City Service Authority - Five Forks Facility (Virginia)

2007 North Clackamas County Water Commission, Membrane Filtration Facility (Oregon)

2008 El Paso Water Utilities for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Groundwater Desalination Facility a joint project with the U.S. Army (Texas)

2009 City of Palm Coast for Water Treatment Plant #2

CONFERENCE PAPER PRESENTATION AWARD given in recognition of outstanding preparation and presentation of a technical paper at an AMTA Annual Conference:

1992 Michele Staples (1992 Biennial Conference in Newport Beach, California)

1994 Bob Yamada (1994 Biennial Conference in Palm Beach, Florida)

1996 Greg Leslie (1996 Biennial Conference in Monterey, California)

1998 Mike Mickley (1998 Biennial Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia)

2000 Wayne Bates (2000 Biennial Conference in Lake Tahoe, Nevada)

2002 Christopher J. Martin, P.E. (2002 Biennial Conference in Tampa, Florida)

2004 Robert Yamada (2004 Biennial Conference in San Antonio, Texas)

2006 Steven J. Duranceau, Ph.D., P.E. (2006 Biennial Conference in Anaheim, California)

2007 Roger Noack, P.E. (2007 Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada)

2008 Donald E. Lindeman, P.E. & Paul Mattausch (2008 Joint Conference in Naples, Florida)

2009 Todd Reynolds (Kennedy/Jenks Consultants)

CONFERENCE PRESENTATION AWARD given in recognition of outstanding preparation and presentation of a Workshop at an AMTA Annual Conference:

2002 Ben Movahed, P.E., D.E.E. (2002 Biennial Conference in Tampa, Florida)

CONFERENCE POSTER AWARD given in recognition of outstanding poster presentation on a technical paper at an AMTA Annual Conference:

1992 Eli Oklejas (1992 Biennial Conference in Newport Beach, California)

1994 Mike Mickley (1994 Biennial Conference in Palm Beach, Florida)

1996 Seungkwan Hong (1996 Biennial Conference in Monterey, California)

1998 Eric T. Wheatherly (1998 Biennial Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia)

2000 Robert Wright (2000 Biennial Conference in Lake Tahoe, Nevada)

2002 John C. Kiernan (2002 Biennial Conference in Tampa, Florida)

2004 James S. Bays (2004 Biennial Conference in San Antonio, Texas)

2006 Chuck D. Moody (2006 Biennial Conference in Anaheim, California)

2007 Jacimaria Batista, Ph.D. and Walter Johnson, P.E. (2007 Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada)

2008 Jonathan Brant, Ph.D. (2008 Joint Conference in Naples, Florida)

2009 Stefani Harrison (MWH Americas, Inc.)

CONFERENCE STUDENT POSTER AWARD given in recognition of outstanding student poster presentation on a technical paper at an AMTA Annual Conference:

2008 Eva Steinle-Darling, Ph.D., (2008 Joint Conference in Naples, Florida)

AMTA FELLOWSHIP AWARD given in cooperation with the National Water Research Institute (NWRI):

2007 Kendra Ruth Colyar (2007 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada)

2007 Eva Steinle-Darling (2007 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada)

2008 Evan Hatakeyama (2008 Joint Conference in Naples, Florida)

2008 William Shane Walker (2008 Joint Conference in Naples, Florida)

2009 Evan Hatakeyama (University of Colorado at Boulder) and William Shane Walker (University of Texas at Austin)

RECOGNITION & SERVICE AWARDgiven in recognition of contributions to water desalination, membrane technology and water supply improvment.

2009 Michael R. Gabaldon and Robert S. "Bob" Castle