It was an enthusiastic, if not overflowing, crowd at the 2007 National Ground Water Expo and Annual Meeting. Those who showed up in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 4-7 seemed to have had an agenda when they showed up, and they seemed to have taken care of business by the time they left. And that’s a good thing for an odd-year (non-Vegas) show.

More than 70 hours of educational sessions, workshops and presentations provided ample opportunity for folks to boost their professional acumen. Valuable information was made available, touching on topics from business management and health and safety issues to well rehabilitation, how-to lessons and technological advances.

Other highlights: The keynote address by space shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane; the kickoff of the 2008 McEllhiney Lecture, “How Much Is Enough? Making Decisions in the Water Well Industry,” by F. Michael Krautkramer; and Dave Hanson’s special presentation, “The Distributor’s Role in Today’s Market.”

A more relaxed trade show floor allowed for more meaningful and hassle-free face-to-face time between vendors and end-users, and 12.5 hours of exhibit hall time meant attendees had plenty of time to visit with approximately 240 manufacturers and suppliers on hand.

Awards, Awards, Awards

Roger Renner, president of E.H. Renner and Sons Inc. in Elk River, Minn. received the Ross L. Oliver Award for outstanding contributions to the ground water industry. Renner, a Master Ground Water Contractor, has been an active member of NGWA for more than 30 years – on 17 different committees, the contractor’s division board of directors, the NGWA board of directors, and as president of NGWA in 2001. He has been a water well system contractor for 34 years.  In conveying the Ross L. Oliver Award, 2007 NGWA president Loyd Watson said, “As impressive as all his contributions may seem, they don’t begin to convey the depth and breadth of Roger’s commitment to the ground water industry day in and day out as a working professional. When it comes to the ground water industry, Roger Renner personifies professionalism, customer service and stewardship of the resource.”

Five industry professionals were made life members by the association for their special service in the furtherance of the ground water industry and NGWA:

• Glenn Lyons, Lyons Well Drilling Co., Stockton, Ill.
  
  
• Allen Moench, a hydrogeologist with the U.S. Geological Society in Menlo Park, Calif.
  
  
• James Gibb of Zurich North America, an NGWA member for 40 years.
  
  
• Emil Frind, professor at the University of Waterloo and previous M. King Hubbert Award winner.
  
  
• Tommy Bussell of Bussell & Sons LLC, Tomball, Texas, and a founding member of the American Ground Water Trust.

Robert Reichart, president of William W. Reichart Inc., Hanover, Pa., took home the Standard Bearer Award for outstanding volunteer involvement in the legislative process on behalf of the association.

John Schmitt, owner of J.P. Schmitt & Co. in Manchester, Mich., received the Robert Storm Interdivisional Cooperation Award, recognizing his extraordinary collaboration between professionals representing different segments of the industry.

Milby Co.’s Carl Lee was presented with the Supplier of the Year Award in recognition of his volunteerism, leadership and promotion of ground water issues to the industry and public.

Niels Jensen, Grundfos Group chairman, won the Equipment Design Award for the development and introduction of the variable-speed pump into the water well industry.

Allan Bo Anderson, president and chief executive officer of Danfoss Flomatic Corp., received the 2007 Manufacturer Special Recognition Award for his dedication to developing technical information for the industry.

University of Waterloo professor Edward Sudicky was honored with the M. King Hubbert Award in recognition of his many contributions that include research, technical papers, teaching and practical application knowledge.

The Outstanding Project in Ground Water Supply Award went to the San Antonio Water System for its Twin Oaks Aquifer Storage and Recovery Facility.

Ground Water Remediation Awards went to Solutions-IES Inc. and Total Petrochemicals USA Inc.

In recognition of his years of service to practice of contaminant treatment, Evan Nyer of ARCADIS received the Keith E. Anderson Award from the Ground Water Scientists and Engineers, a division of NGWA.

William Glenn Jr., health and safety coordinator for ENSR Corp. in Orange, Calif., has received the Individual Safety Advocate Award for his contributions to promoting, improving, maintaining and enhancing safety in daily working operations.

Looking Ahead

Be extra nice to Lady Luck – the 2008 Ground Water Expo and Annual Meeting takes place Dec. 2-5, in Las Vegas. 
ND