Outstanding Membrane Plant Award Winners

Outstanding Membrane Large Plant Award > 5 MGD

Collier County North

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Small Plant Award < 5 MGD

The Island Water Association

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Operator Award Winner

Charles “Mac” McAbee, City of Clearwater

“In recognition of outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership within the industry”

Senior Operator of the Year

Michael Houtz, Town of Jupiter

“In recognition of outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership within the industry”

Vendor of the Year Award

DuPont Water Solutions

“In recognition of the Company’s support and involvement within the Southeast Desalting Association”

Educator of the Year Award

Kirk Lai, Hydranautics

“In recognition of your unwavering and outstanding ability to educate and convey complex information and real-world experiences, for over a decade, to the benefit of the professionals working in the water and wastewater industry”

President’s Recognition Award

Paul Biscardi, Hazen and Sawyer

“With great recognition of your dedication and diligence in serving the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

Service Recognition Awards

Amanda Barnes, Town of Jupiter

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Jarrett Kinslow, Tetra Tech

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Jack Reed, Town of Smithfield

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Michael Spaetzel, Veolia

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Jim Andersen, JLA Geosciences

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Special Plant Recognition Award

City of Cape Coral

“In recognition and appreciation of your contribution to the Southeast Desalting Association in hosting the Plant Tour for the 2021 Spring Symposium”

 Scholarship Award

Paula Campesino, University of Central Florida

Annual Drinking Water Contest Winner

Mount Pleasant Waterworks

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award Winners

Outstanding Membrane Large Plant Award > 5 MGD

City of Palm Coast WTP 2

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Small Plant Award < 5 MGD

Babcock Ranch- Town and Country Utilities

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Operator Award Winner

Marcos Marrero-Tamayo— Palm Beach County Utilities

“In recognition of outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership within the industry”

Chief Operator of the Year

Timothy James—Collier County

Educator of the Year Award

Joshua Utter – American Water Chemicals

“In recognition of your unwavering and outstanding ability to educate and convey complex information and real-world experiences, for over a decade, to the benefit of the professionals working in the water and wastewater industry”

President’s Recognition Awards

 Scholarship Award

Courtney Powell – University of Central Florida

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award Winners

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award > 5 MGD

Town of Jupiter

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award < 5 MGD

Coral Springs Improvement District

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Operator Award Winner

Ronald Claunch, City of Tarpon Springs

“In recognition of outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership within the industry”

Vendor of the Year Award

American Water Chemicals

“In recognition of the Company’s support and involvement of the Southeast Desalting Association”

Educator of the Year Award

Duggan Jacobs, TSC Jacobs

“In recognition of your unwavering and outstanding ability to educate and convey complex information and real-world experiences, for over a decade, to the benefit of the professionals working in the water and wastewater industry”

Lifetime Achievement Award

Tony Fogel, Town of Jupiter

“With great recognition and appreciation for years of loyal and dedicated service to the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

Distinguished Service Awards

Mo Malki, American Water Chemicals

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Paul Jacobs, TSC Jacobs

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Jarrett Kinslow, Tetra Tech

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Michael Bailey, Town of Cooper City

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

President’s Recognition Awards

Monica Pazahanick, Hazen and Sawyer

“In recognition of your support of the Southeast Desalting Association as Treasurer, as well as your dedicated efforts on the Tech Transfer Committee and MOC Committee”

 Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Service 

 Jarrett Kinslow, Tetra Tech

“With great recognition and appreciation for years of loyal and dedicated service to the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

Karla Berroteran, Village of Wellington

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Special Plant Recognition Award

City of Ormond Beach

“With great recognition and appreciation for years of loyal and dedicated service to the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

 Water Quality Person of the Year

Dr. Steven Duranceau, University of Central Florida

“In recognition of your support of the Southeast Desalting Association as Treasurer, as well as your dedicated efforts on the Tech Transfer Committee and MOC Committee”

 Scholarship Award

Carlyn Higgins, University of Central Florida

“With great recognition and appreciation for years of loyal and dedicated service to the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

Annual Drinking Water Contest Winner

Seminole Tribe of Florida Hollywood WTP

“In recognition of your support of the Southeast Desalting Association as Treasurer, as well as your dedicated efforts on the Tech Transfer Committee and MOC Committee”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award Winners

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award > 5 MGD

Island Water Association

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award < 5 MGD

Seminole Tribe of Florida Hollywood WTP

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Operator of the Year Award

Joseph Stephens, Coral Spring Improvement District

“In recognition of outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership within the industry”

Vendor of the Year Award

Odyssey Manufacturing Co.

“In recognition of the Company’s support and involvement of the Southeast Desalting Association”

Educator of the Year Award

Jason Bailey, Avista Technologies

“In recognition of your unwavering and outstanding ability to educate and convey complex information and real-world experiences, for over a decade, to the benefit of the professionals working in the water and wastewater industry”

Lifetime Achievement Award

Rocco Cuozzo, Hydranautics

“With great recognition and appreciation for years of loyal and dedicated service to the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

President’s Recognition Awards

Amanda Barnes, Town of Jupiter

“In recognition of your dedication and diligence in serving the Southeast Desalting Association”

Special Recognition Plant Award

Island Water Association

“In recognition of your contribution to the Southeast Desalting Association in hosting the Plant Tour for the 2012 Spring Symposium”

Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Service

Laura Gallindo

“In recognition of your dedication to the Southeast Desalting Association for efforts above and beyond in creating the SEDA Mobile Application”

Water Quality Person of the Year

Miguel Arroyo, City of Fort Lauderdale

“In recognition of your outstanding contribution to water supply improvement.  Your outstanding contribution to water supply improvement through individual effort in the support of membrane and desalination technologies and water use.”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award Winners

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award > 5 MGD

Collier County South Regional WTP

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award < 5 MGD

Palm Coast Plant 3

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Operator Award Winner

Kelly Frazier, City of Tarpon Springs

“In recognition of outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership within the industry”

Vendor of the Year Award

Toray Membrane USA

“In recognition of the Company’s support and involvement of the Southeast Desalting Association”

Educator of the Year Award

Kirk Lai, Hydronautics

“In recognition of your unwavering and outstanding ability to educate and convey complex information and real-world experiences, for over a decade, to the benefit of the professionals working in the water and wastewater industry”

Lifetime Achievement Award

Cecil Baty

“With great recognition and appreciation for years of loyal and dedicated service to the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

Distinguished Service Awards

Jerrett Kinslow, Tetra Tech

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Lance Littrell, Kimley-Horn Assoc

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Chris Kuzler, Tetra Tech

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Renuka Mohammed-Bajnath

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

President’s Recognition Awards

Ben Mohlenhoff

“In recognition of your support of the Southeast Desalting Association as Treasurer, as well as your dedicated efforts on the Tech Transfer Committee and MOC Committee”

David Laliberte

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Pat Allman

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Michele Miller

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award Winners

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award > 5 MGD

Cape Coral North RO Plant Cape Coral, FL

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award < 5 MGD

Pinewoods Water Treatment Plant Lee County, FL

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Operator Award Winner

Richard “Todd” Ellison, Chief Operator Palm Beach County Water Utilities

“In recognition of outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership within the industry”

Vendor of the Year Award

Avista Technologies, Inc.

“In recognition of the Company’s support and involvement of the Southeast Desalting Association”

Educator of the Year Award

John Potts, Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc.

“In recognition of your unwavering and outstanding ability to educate and convey complex information and real-world experiences, for over a decade, to the benefit of the professionals working in the water and wastewater industry”

Lifetime Achievement Award

Jim Harn, Harn R/O Systems, Inc.

“With great recognition and appreciation for years of loyal and dedicated service to the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

Distinguished Service Awards

Jason Bailey

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Charlie McAllister

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

President’s Recognition Awards

Jason Bailey, Avista Technologies, Inc.

“In recognition of your support of the Southeast Desalting Association as Treasurer, as well as your dedicated efforts on the Tech Transfer Committee and MOC Committee”

Rick Chamness, City of Boca Raton

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Tony Fogel, Town of Jupiter Utilities

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award Winners

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award > 5 MGD

Palm Beach County Water Treatment Plant #9

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award < 5 MGD

Town of Smithfield, Virginia RO Plant

“In recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance”

Outstanding Membrane Plant Operator Award Winner

John Niederhiser, North County Regional WTP, Collier County

“In recognition of outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership within the industry”

Vendor of the Year Award

Hydranautics/Nitto Group Company

“In recognition of the Company’s support and involvement of the Southeast Desalting Association”

Instructor of the Year Award

Neil Gorman, Jacobs Air Water Systems

“In recognition of your unwavering and outstanding ability to educate and convey complex information and real-world experiences, for over a decade, to the benefit of the professionals working in the water and wastewater industry”

Lifetime Achievement Award

Brian Matthews, City of Palm Coast

“With great recognition and appreciation for years of loyal and dedicated service to the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

Distinguished Service Awards

Miguel Arroyo

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the Board of Directors”

Mo Malki

“In recognition of your contribution and support to the growth and development of the Southeast Desalting Association while serving on the SEDA Board of Directors”

Lance Littrell

“In recognition of your role and leadership in planning and preparing for the 2015 Spring Symposium”

President’s Recognition Awards

American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA)

“In recognition of your support of the Southeast Desalting Association in providing opportunities for many successful joint events over the years”

City of Pompano Beach

“In recognition of your continuous support of the Southeast Desalting Association and for graciously hosting many SEDA events over the years”

City of Boca Raton

“In recognition of your continuous support of the Southeast Desalting Association and for graciously hosting many SEDA events over the years”

Special Appreciation Award

Amanda Barnes

“In recognition of your hard work and dedication as a Board Member of SEDA for over seven years, and for your commitment to SEDA by serving as President for the past two years“

Special Recognition Awards

Lynne Gulizia

“In recognition of your dedication to membrane operator training and for acting as a liaison between SEDA, SCMA & SWMOA on the MOC Affiliate Agreement”

Tropical Farms Water Treatment Plant, Martin County Utilities

“In recognition of your contribution to the Southeast Desalting Association in hosting the Plant Tour for the 2015 Spring Symposium”

John Potts

“In recognition of your exemplary and faithful dedication to the Southeast Desalting Association and its members”

AMTA/AWWA Joint Awards

2015 Robert O. Vernon “Operator of the Year” Award Winner

We are proud to announce that SEDA’s 2014 Plant Operator of the Year, Michael Vernon was also awarded the 2015 Robert O. Vernon “Operator of the Year” Award at the AMTA/AWWA MC-15 Conference & Expo this year.

Michael Vernon, Indian River County Utilities

In recognition of his commitment to the membrane industry and his desire to constantly improve operations and efficiency of the membrane system for the utility. In addition, he is recognized for his leadership by example approach and his active role in troubleshooting problems at the water plants.

• Chief Operator for Indian River County Utilities
• Has been an Membrane Plant Operator for 11+ years
• Utility has two NF Plants
• SEDA 2014 Outstanding Membrane Plant Operator of the Year