The Water Quality Association has announced the recipients of its annual Leadership Awards, honoring 12 individuals and one member company.
The award winners were announced on Tuesday, April 18, during the Keynote session of the WQA Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 2023 Hall of Fame Award – the highest honor bestowed on a WQA member, given for lifetime dedication and service to the industry and association – went to Don McGhee, MWS, president of Hydro Systems Inc., who served as WQA President in 2016-2017. McGhee was previously honored with WQA’s Key Award in 2019 and Ray Cross award in 2014.
The WQA Lifetime Member Award, which recognizes exemplary service to the association, went to Daina Grace, the executive director of the Texas Water Quality Association, and Mark Felton, manager of a group of Culligan franchises in Northern and Central California. Felton is a past member of the WQA Board of Directors, and both he and Grace previously were honored with the WQA Award of Merit and the Regents Award.
WQA’s Excellence Award is given to WQA member companies who excel in their operations, innovation, customer service or community involvement. This year it was awarded to ResinTech Inc. of Camden, New Jersey. The company recently built a new global headquarters and non-solvent cation plant, remediating more than 27 acres of neglected, often contaminated lots, and spurring new investment in the community. Company employees also donate time to helping local charities such as the Boys and Girls Club and Cathedral Kitchen, a local food charity.
The Key Award, which honors members who demonstrate the highest quality of leadership within their company, industry and various associations, went to Michael Mormino, VP of sales & marketing of ENPRESS LLC.
The Ray Cross Award, recognizing WQA members whose pioneer spirit and unwavering commitment made a notable difference in the water treatment industry, was presented to former WQA President Toby Thomas, president and CEO of Kinetico, Incorporated.
The Regents Award, presented to individuals who have made significant contributions at the state or local level, was awarded to Scott Schiesser, director of sales & marketing for Driessen Water Inc.
The Award of Merit, in recognition of exceptional service to the water quality improvement industry, honored Beth Allison, marketing director, North America, for Kinetico Incorporated.
WQA’s Honorary Membership Award, given to someone outside the water treatment industry with meritorious contributions to humanity though research, education or exemplary service, went to Michael Schock, recently retired as a chemist with the U.S. EPA office of Research & Development.
The Next Gen Award, given to individuals 40 or younger who have demonstrated a commitment to the betterment of the water treatment industry, was presented to Derek Packard, CWS, president of Packard Culligan.
WQA also honored three members with Presidents’ Club memberships for recruiting at least three new companies to join WQA in the last year:
- James Alaimo, Franklin Water Treatment (Puroincs)
- Roy Esparza, MWS, CI, CWR, Franklin Water Treatment (Puroincs)
- Ted Jones, MWS, Kinetico Incorporated
