Outstanding contributions of environmental
operators recognized at awards ceremony
Posted: Monday, May 10, 2010
Georgetown - Delaware's water, wastewater, and on-site operators were honored at the annual Operator of the Year Awards Ceremony held at Delaware Technical " Community College, Owens Campus on May 6.
Dr. Katherine Bunting-Howarth, director of DNREC's Division of Water Resources, congratulated the nominees and echoed everyone's thoughts with the statement: "You truly represent the best in the business."
Robert Moore of Millsboro, assistant manager of the South Coastal Regional Wastewater Facility (SCRWF), was the recipient of the 2009 Wastewater Operator of the Year award. He was nominated by Heather Sheridan, director of Sussex County Environmental Services, and Loran George, district manager of the Sussex County Engineering Department.
"In the time Bob has been employed by Sussex County, he has demonstrated an exemplary work ethic and professionalism," stated Sheridan and George. "He has been instrumental in improving the operation of the (SCRWF) facility."
Other nominees in the wastewater operator category were Ann Hobbs-Noon of Frankford, a level IV operator at the South Coastal Regional Wastewater Facility and an adjunct instructor at Delaware Tech, and Kyle Betts of Milford, a senior operator at Tidewater Utilities.
"We're proud of the 463 licensed wastewater operators in the state of Delaware, and we're especially proud of Robert Moore and Ann Hobbs-Noon and the work they're doing," said David Baker, Sussex County administrator. "Their accomplishments give testament to the many fine employees we have here in Sussex County who are working everyday to ensure a safe, clean and efficient wastewater operation."
The recipient of the 2009 Water Operator of the Year award was Ronald Foskey of Salisbury, manager of the Town of Selbyville Water Plant, who was nominated by Robert Dickerson, town administrator for the Town of Selbyville.
"Mr. Foskey's professionalism and dedication to service is an asset to the Town of Selbyville and its residents," said Dickerson. "He is a dedicated water operator who takes his job very seriously and feels personally responsible for the quality of water that leaves ‘his' plant."
The other nominee in the water operator category was Michael Funk of Smyrna, a senior operator at Tidewater Utilities.
Hollis Warren, founder of Hollis Warren, Inc. of Wyoming, Del., was the recipient of the 2009 On-Site Professional of the Year award. He was nominated by Steve Rohm, a certified environmental trainer who teaches at Delaware Tech's Environmental Training Center.
"Hollis has unselfishly shared his knowledge and experience with the industry through articles and seminars, presenting timely information on septage and grease processing and disposal," said Rohm. "He has been instrumental in the development of the National Association of Waste Transporters professional training programs both nationally and at the Environmental Training Center."
Each honoree received a wall plaque, a certificate from the state of Delaware, and a monetary award.
Environmental Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to George Siegfried, founder of Siegfried Machine " Supply Inc. of Milton, Del. and Kevin Darling who accepted the posthumous award for his father Kenneth Darling, founder of Ken Darling " Sons of Camden, Del.
The lifetime achievement awards are presented annually in recognition of "sustained, meritorious achievement in providing significant contributions to Delaware's environment."
Siegfried founded his company in 1986 after realizing that many sewage equipment manu-facturers did not have local representation in Delaware.
"After creating the company, my father wanted to learn more about protecting the environment from untreated wastewater," said Stanley Siegfried. "We (father and son) acquired our wastewater operator and class E installer licenses to achieve that goal."
"My father started operating wastewater treatment plants and quickly became very good at solving treatment problems," added Stanley. "He retired in 1994 but has managed to keep himself busy operating wastewater treatment plants and recently acquired his water operator's license at the age of 75."
Kenneth Darling was nominated by Jim Williams of Freemire " Associates in Marydel, Del. Williams explained that Darling became involved in the septic system industry by helping his father dig cesspools when he was eight; in 1967 he opened his own business at the age of 27.
"Sadly, on November 22, 2009, Delaware lost a local legend of the on-site business, an installer that was a pioneer in his field," said Williams. "He (Darling) was greatly respected by both his peers and the regulatory department; he will be remembered for his quality and professional work as well as his dedication to the on-site industry for over 60 years."
"Ken Darling truly brought us from cesspools to the modern systems we know today," added Williams.
The statewide operator of the year awards ceremony serves to highlight the role of Delaware's water, wastewater, and on-site operators in protecting the environment. Award winners are chosen for their "outstanding technical excellence and exemplary work ethic contributing to the high level of water quality in Delaware."
The ceremony is held each year at Delaware Tech's Owens Campus, which provides a state-of-the-art Environmental Training Center for the hands-on education of operators from Delaware and surrounding states. The center has achieved international recognition for the excellence of its training programs.
Co-sponsors of the event were the Delaware Rural Water Association; Delaware Department of Health " Social Services, Office of Drinking Water; Department of Natural Resources " Environmental Control, Division of Water Resources; Delaware On-Site Wastewater Recycling Association; Water and Wastewater Operators Association, Eastern Shore Chapter; and the Environmental Training Center at Delaware Tech, Owens Camus.