District Staff Recognized at AWW&WEA Regional Meeting
In December members of the Northwest District of the Arkansas Water Works & Water Environment Association (AWW&WEA) met for their monthly training and meeting at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences in Fayetteville. The full program included educational sessions, introduction of the 2025 officers, and the 2024 awards presentation.
The following individuals were announced as the officers for 2025: (photo left to right) Tiffany Mallard of Springdale Water Utilities as Chair, Christine Schneider of Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority as Secretary-Treasurer, and Josh Napier with the City of Siloam Springs as Vice Chair. Darryl Fendley of Beaver Water District received a plaque in recognizing of his years of service to the board.
Stacy Cheevers of Beaver Water District, Northwestern District Director for AWW&WEA, presented outstanding achievement awards for 2024. Awards were presented in twelve categories.
| Award Title | Recipient |
|---|---|
| Water Operator less than 5000 Population | Robert Wolfenbarger, Holiday Island Improvement District |
| Water Operator more than 5000 Pop. | Andrew Milligan, City of Harrison Water Dept. |
| Water Manager of the Year | Aaron Watkins, City of Fayetteville |
| Water Laboratory Professional | Laura Ortega, Beaver Water District |
| Water Backwash Prevention Professional | Kris Yandell, Holiday Island Improvement District |
| Young Professional of the Year | Alyssa Liddle, Beaver Water District |
| Wastewater Operator less than 5000 Population | Gary Varner, Holiday Island Improvement District (NP) |
| Wastewater Operator more than 5000 Population | Mike Reed, Jacobs Engineering |
| Wastewater Manager of the Year | Matthew Webster, City of Bentonville Water Resource Recovery Facility |
| Wastewater Small System Award | Justin Landsill, Lost Bridge Village Water & Sewer |
| Wastewater Laboratory Professional | Misti Ingram, City of Bentonville Water Resource Recovery Facility |
| Pretreatment Professional of the Year | Tim McGee, City of Bentonville Water Resource Recovery Facility |
The mission of the Northwest District of the Arkansas Water Works & Water Environment Association, formed in 1950, is to encourage the education and licensing of its members in the field of water and wastewater systems and to provide a venue by which the members can share information, obtain training, and improve the overall standing of the profession within their communities. Visit nwd-awwwea.org for more information.
Hello!
Beaver Water District would like to welcome Meredith Alvarez, Receptionist, and Walter Chodor, Lab Technician, as the newest employees to BWD.
Goodbye!
After 10 years at Beaver Water District, Suzanne Chipollini retired in January. As the receptionist, she was the first person any visitor saw when coming to the Administration Center, as well as that pleasant voice when anyone called. Good Luck Suzanne on your next adventure.