The Redwood Empire Section held their Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, November 14 at Jonesey’s Famous Steak House at the Napa Airport.  There were over 100 people in attendance.  It was one of the largest turnouts in recent memory.

Special guest David Greenwood, CWEA President, helped handout the awards (list of winners below).  He also installed the new Board of President-Devina Douglas, Vice President-Steve Krautheim (Novato Sanitation District), Secretary/Treasurer-Doug Wing (Carollo Engineers), Director-at-Large-Giti Heravian (Fairfield/Suisun Sewer District), Second Year Director-Mike Foster (Foster Flow Controls), and First Year Director-Barry Pomeroy (Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District).

President Greenwood also gave an inspiring talk on the wastewater industry and how little is known about what we do.  It’s time that a little more Public Relations is done to inform the public why what we do is important to them (other than the obvious).

As out-going President, Debbie Gee, thanked her Board for a wonderful job.  She also expressed how her experience on the Board was a positive one and hoped that others would find ways to become involved.

The evening ended with new President Devina Douglas stating that she looked forward to an eventful year.  She announced that the first Tour and Dinner meeting would be in January at the Lagunitas Brewery in Marin.  What a way to start off the year!

CWEA President David Greenwood congratulating Plant of
the Year (<5 mgd) winner-City of Healdsburg

New RES Board, Barry Pomeroy, Giti Heravian, Doug Wing,
Devina Douglas, Steve Krautheim, Mike Foster

Redwood Empire Local Section Award Winners:

Murray McKinnie Award - Mike Silva, CMSA
Stan Roskowski Service Award - Doug Boss, VSFCD.
Vendor of the Year - Ron Vetter, Pump Repair Service

Redwood Empire Section Awards / State Award Winners:

Collection System of the Year (0-249 miles) - LGVSD
Collection System - Person of the Year - Mike Gardea, CMSA

Public Education Program (Small budget) - LGVSD
Public Education Program (Large budget) - VSFCD

Public Education Person of the Year - Jennifer Kaiser, VSFCD,

Plant Safety Award (25 to 75 Employees) - CMSA

Gimmicks / Gadgets - Warren Banzet, City of Vacaville
Electrical/Instrumentation Person of the Year - Russ Turnbull, CMSA
Laboratory Person of the Year -Tom Kotch, CDM/ City of Petaluma
P3S Person of the Year - Greg Pease, CMSA
Mechanical Technician of the Year - Glenn Cassel, City of Vacaville
Operator of the Year - Ron Clyma, City of Vacaville     

Plant of the Year (Less than 5 mgd) - City of Healdsburg
Plant of the Year (5 to 20 mgd) - VSFCD