The National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation (NGWREF) has selected six National Ground Water Association (NGWA) members to attend the Emerging Leaders Alliance Conference Nov. 10-12 in Reston, Va.

"The Foundation’s initial class is indicative of the quality of the industry’s professionals early in their careers,” says NGWA and NGWREF CEO Kevin McCray.  “These Foundation awards are an investment in making people better so they will advance the professions and continue to make other people better, as well."

The winning NGWA members were chosen based on their commitment to the groundwater industry and their potential to lead the industry.

Those awarded NGWREF honors are:

• Mark E. Chandler: CRS Engineers, Salt Lake City
• Dustin Kinder: Andrews & Foster Drilling Co., Athens, Texas
• Michael J. Schnieders: Water Systems Engineering, Ottawa, Kan.
• Molly Sherwood: Kent County Department of Public Works, Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Brian M. Snelten: Layne Christensen Co., Aurora, Ill.
• Eric Swanson: LAKOS Separators and Filtration Systems, Fresno, Calif.

Emerging Leaders Alliance Conference attendees will take part in a week of tuition-free presentations on topics including global and virtual team leadership, managing change and powerful practices for leading innovation.

The NGWREF, founded in 1994, is the charitable arm of the National Ground Water Association. It is focused on conducting educational, research and other activities that promote a broader understanding of groundwater use and access. NGWA is a nonprofit that supports responsible development, management and use of water resources. It’s comprised of groundwater professionals ranging from contractors to equipment manufacturers to scientists and engineers. For more information, visit www.ngwa.org.