Chesapeake Water officials named to 'Dream Team'

DOVER, DE � Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is pleased to announce that two of its EcoWater Dealership General Managers, D.J. Shannahan at Sharp Water in Salisbury, MD and Dover, DE, and Ronald W. Smith, at Carroll Water Systems in Westminster, MD, have been named to Water Technology magazine's "Dream Team 2003," which represents the top six water industry professionals in the nation.

"The 2003 Water Technology magazine Dream Team is a collection of water treatment dealers nominated by their industry peers for the excellence and innovation demonstrated by their businesses," the magazine reported. "The Dream Team consists of dealers who have served valuable roles as lobbyists; are pioneers of new business opportunities; advocates of industry ethics; and are good citizens in the communities they serve." From the six national nominations, a panel of industry experts will choose one water treatment dealer of the year in December 2003.

Both Mr. Shannahan and Mr. Smith were lauded for their efforts in the April issue of Water Technology magazine, as well as on the online version of the magazine, WaterTech Online.

"As a third generation member of his family's water treatment and conditioning business, Mr. Shannahan became well-versed in the various aspects of the industry and his market at a young age," the magazine quoted. Mr. Shannahan began his career as a water treatment plant operator and service technician, then worked his way up the ranks to his current position of General Manager. Chesapeake bought the Shannahans' company in 1998.

The article also announced some of Mr. Shannahan's most recent accomplishments, including being named Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's Peake Manager of the Year for 2002, and earning a spot on EcoWater Winner's Circle for 2002, which includes the country's top 20 EcoWater dealerships. Shannahan attributed much of his success to the people he works with: "With the team that we've assembled, I expect 2003 to be an exceptional year. Really the main reason why we've done what we've done is the people who we have here," he said. Sharp Water employs 25 and has locations in Salisbury, MD and Dover, DE.

Mr. Smith began his career in the water business after working for a local plumber who is now his competition, the magazine said. "Mr. Smith passed his state certification test at age 23 and began his own company soon after. He started by servicing sewer and septic systems, then steered away from plumbing and got into water conditioning and well-pump work."

Carroll Water Systems was also named to the elite EcoWater Winner's Circle in 2002, as well as being recognized as EcoWater Systems' top volume dealer for total units in the Eastern region of the U.S. in 2002. Carroll Water Systems, which employees between 12 and 15 people depending on the time of year, "focuses heavily on good internal and external relations," the magazine said. Chesapeake purchased Carroll Water Systems in 2000.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified utility company engaged in natural gas distribution and transmission, propane distribution and marketing, advanced information services and other related businesses. Information about Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and the Chesapeake family of businesses is available online at www.chpk.com.