WEAT Susan B. Hier Award for Excellence in Education & Licensing

WEAT Operations Awards Ceremony

April 6, 2022, 2:45 p.m.

Exhibit Hall, Meter Challenge/Awards Celebration Area

WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS

SUSAN B. HIER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION & LICENSING

...recognizes an individual who has demonstrated passion and service to the operators of Texas.

Gary Sober

Gary Sober graduated with a Bachelor of Science in zoology from Oklahoma State University in 1970. From 1973 to 1980, Gary worked for the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency. Gary focused on troubleshooting water and wastewater systems in EPA Region 6. He also instructed cities & towns on completing National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits and forms. He presented a myriad of seminars on water and wastewater operations across the State of Oklahoma.

In 1980, Gary moved to Austin, Texas, and established Environmental Training Inc. and Envir-O-Spec Inc. in 1983. The two companies’ focus was developing and implementing training courses in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana and developing standard operating procedures for facilities.

With the two companies, Gary managed operations of 30 water and wastewater systems in central Texas from 5,000 gallons per day to 3.5 MGD. As co-owner of these two companies, Gary supervised up to eight full-time employees and water/wastewater operators. The water and wastewater operations business focused not only on the maintenance of the systems but also the management of these utility districts, including billing, payment processing, facility plans, and staffing. Gary ran the operations business successfully until 1997. In 1997, Gary began working as Byo-Gon Inc.’s research and development manager His focus was researching natural solutions for grease, odor, and solids reduction. In 2005, Gary became vice president of Byo-Gon and began research of a product for remediation of soil contamination. Gary continues to operate Environmental Training Inc., focusing on troubleshooting water and wastewater plant operational challenges. Gary provides training across the State of Texas for water and wastewater operators with the Texas Water Utilities Association. He hosts specialty training programs for operators seeking to upgrade their wastewater licenses.

Gary is a board member of the RPM Water Supply Corporation, near Chandler, Texas, where he is a valued member as the only licensed operator on the board.