The “Distinguished Service Award” is awarded for services and/or leadership rendered to the region’s water community over a period of years. The award recipient(s) can be from any profession or employment, and not necessarily but preferably, from an RWA member agency. This award was established in 2002.
2022
Jeff Harris, Executive Director of the City of Sacramento and Rob Swartz, Manager of Technical Services of Regional Water Authority, and Forrest W. Williams Jr., Senior Civil Engineer of the Sacramento County Water Agency receive the Distinguished Service Award.
2021
Jim Abercrombie, General Manager of the El Dorado Irrigation District and Brent Smith, Director of Technical Services of Placer County Water Agency, receive the Distinguished Service Award.
2020
Tom Gohring, Executive Director of the Water Forum and Dave Underwood, Senior Civil Engineer of Sacramento County Water Agency, receive the Distinguished Service Award.
2019
Einar Maisch, General Manager from Placer County Water Agency and Steve Nugent, General Manager of Carmichael Water District, receive the Distinguished Service Award.
2018
Pam Tobin, a member of the San Juan Water District Board of Directors, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
2017
Rob Roscoe, General Manager for the Sacramento Suburban Water District received the Distinguished Service Award.
2016
Robert Churchill, retired General Manager for the Citrus Heights Water District; and Bill George, former Board President of the El Dorado Irrigation District receive the Distinguished Service Award.
2015
Mary Henrici, General Manager of Rio Linda/Elverta Community Water District received the Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award was also awarded posthumously to Joe Dion and was accepted by his son Mitch.
Regional Water Authority Recognizes Regional Leadership. – – (January 2, 2015)
Ed Kriz, Director of Environmental Utilities for the City of Roseville; Dave Brent, former Director of Utilities of the City of Sacramento; and Dave Breninger, General Manager of Placer County Water Agency receive the Distinguished Service Award.
Regional Water Authority Recognizes Brian Martin and Rita Sudman – – (December 16, 2013)
Brian Martin, Director of Technical Services for Placer County Water Agency, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
Regional Water Authority Recognizes Derrick Whitehead – – (December 18, 2012)
Derrick Whitehead, the Director of Environmental Utilities for the City of Roseville, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
Charles T. “Chuck” Rose Recognized for Water Career. – – (December 13, 2011)
Chuck Rose, a member of the Citrus Heights Water District Board of Directors, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
Sandy Kozlen and Keith DeVore Recognized for Longtime Water Career. – – (December 13, 2010)
Sanford “Sandy” Kozlen, a member of the Carmichael Water District Board of Directors, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
Keith DeVore, director of the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
John Fraser for Longtime Water Career. – – (December 15, 2009)
John Fraser, a member of the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
2008
Regional Water Authority Honors Local Leaders For Achievements, Service to Water Community – – (December 17, 2008)
Ed Tiedemann, senior attorney with Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
Ane Deister, general manager with El Dorado Irrigation District, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
Byron Buck, former director with Sacramento Suburban Water District, receives the Distinguished Service Award.
Leo Winternitz, former executive director of the Sacramento Water Forum receives the Distinguished Service Award.
Regional Water Authority Honors Hall, Bartkiewicz As Water Statespersons of the Year – – (December 9, 2005)
Frederick Tomich, (pictured) director with Orange Vale Water Company and David Spath, retired director of the California Department of Health Services receive the Distinguished Service Award for 2005.
Regional Water Authority Honors Derrick Whitehead As Water Statesperson of the Year – – (December 13, 2004)
Joseph Alessandri (pictured) and Walter Pettit each receive the Distinguished Service Award for 2004.
Jim English, retiring general manager of San Juan Water District (left) receives the Distinguished Service Award from Bob Churchill, general manager, Citrus Heights Water District.
LaNell Little, retired general manager of Carmichael Water District (right) receives the Distinguished Service Award from Paul Selsky, board member, Carmichael Water District.
Lyle Hoag, retiring director of San Juan Water District (left) receives the Distinguished Service Award from Rich Plecker, general manager, Fair Oaks Water District.
Former City of Sacramento Utilities Director Jim Sequeira (left) is
presented with the first-ever RWA Distinguished Service Award by
FOWD General Manager Rich Plecker.
