Committee Reports Awards Committee

John Crider, Chair

At last December’s Water Institute and, most recently, at the Section Conference in April, we have had the opportunity to recognize several individuals for their contributions to their Utilities, the Indiana Section and the Water Industry.

At the Water Institute in French Lick, Ray Hopkins was recognized as the Indiana Section Operator of the Year. Ray is the Superintendent of East Fork Water in Shoals. He has been with the Utility for over 30 years. During that time, his leadership has guided them from near bankruptcy, through many projects and challenges to today, where the system is managing growth and operating more strongly than ever.

Also at the Water Institute, Ed Nugent was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Hoosier Water Award. Ed is a past Chair of the Indiana Section and is currently the Directorelect. He has served as the MAC Chair and continues to support the Section and the industry.

In April, at the Indiana Section Conference in Indianapolis, we recognized three outstanding individuals.

First, both Dace Mumbower and Dan Gemmecke were each awarded the Iron Man Award.

Dace has been with the City of Dunkirk since 1995. Dace also served on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Rural Water Association. Even though he has battled health issues for much of his life, several major medical hurdles were thrown at him in 2019. Since that time, he has continued to work tirelessly for the citizens of Dunkirk, while still battling health issues.

Dan Gimmecke has been in the water industry for over 30 years. For many years he has managed the water department for the Town of Battle Ground. He's been dealing with health issues for the last few years and he has not missed a day on the job. Dan has continued to provide leadership and mentoring to everyone that he works with.

Tuesday night’s Fuller Reception is where we honor one member by presenting the George Warren Fuller Award. This award was originated by the Association in 1937 and is the top recognition given by the Sections. This year’s awardee is Dawn Keyler.

Dawn was born in Mishawaka, IN and graduated from Mishawaka High School (Go Cavemen!) and was very active in band.

Continuing on, our awardee attended college at the University of Indianapolis, earning a degree in paralegal studies in 1995. She began her professional career as an Administrative Assistant at an engineering firm and received subsequent promotions to Sr. Administrative Assistant and Sr. Project Analyst. She then left that role to start a new one; serving as the first full-time staff member of the Indiana Section – playing an integral role leading up to the Section’s merger with Indiana Rural Water Association. Following the merger, she resumed her career as a Project Analyst with an engineering firm in the water industry.

Our awardee has served our Section for many years on various committees:

• MAC

• WFP event coordination and participation

• INWARN Operations Committee

• Emergency Response & Preparedness Committee, current Chair

• Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity –W/WW Committee.

• Became a Hoosier Crew Member in 2012

• Can be seen on the golf course at the annual golf outing; we all know not serving up the best round of golf, but serving beverages and some minor heckling to those that do know how to play or “pretend very well”.

In recent years, our awardee has been involved in acquiring contractual funding for Water Loss Audit and Validation Training, and more recently helped acquire funding for free Cyber Security Training and Education, on behalf of INAWWA, to utilities since 2022.

AWWA’s Manager of Section Services, Nancy Sullivan, said this about our awardee: “She brought a passion and excitement to her role as Indiana’s first full time staff person. Her sense of humor and attitude of “We Can Do It” was very much appreciated.” www.inawwa.org/about-us/awards-grants www.awwa.org/membership-volunteering/awards

Congratulations Dawn!

I would like to remind each of you that the Section and the Association have many awards to recognize individual contributions and actions. Below are links to some of these. If you know of someone that is deserving of recognition, please reach out to the Awards Committee or one of our Trustees.