ROCKVILLE, MD, Oct. 4, 2006 -- The Association of Water Technologies selected Bruce Ketrick Sr., CWT, president of Guardian CSC, as winner of the Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year on Sept. 15 at its annual convention and exposition in Charlotte, NC. AWT also installed Charles D. Hamrick Jr., CWT, of GLA Water Management, of Rossford, OH, as its 2006-07 president.
Ketrick picked Water Technologist of the Year
The Water Technologist award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to the field of water treatment and particularly for service to the AWT and its members. Ketrick has been a long time friend of AWT through his activity with the Education Committee and serving on the board of directors. His tireless efforts and work led to the development of AWT's highly successful Technical Training Seminars.
During his distinguished career, Ketrick authored numerous papers and articles on the subject of water treatment and made multiple presentations at AWT seminars. His company, Guardian Chemical Specialties Corp., is based in York, PA.
Guardian CSC was established to provide the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States with water treatment related products and equipment. It's a specialty chemical and equipment company. In this capacity, the company has been providing chemical treatment programs, odor control agents, pretreatment equipment, chemical feed systems, tanks and other related products for potable water systems, process water, boiler plants, cooling tower systems and waste effluent systems.
Past recipients of this award include: D.C. "Chuck" Brandvold, Robert R. Cavano, Ronald Knestaut, Dennis Clayton, E.J. Caruso, John J. Baum, Jessie Jefferies, Brent Chettle, Dr. Janet E. Stout, Dr. Arthur J. Freedman, Dr. Bennett P. Boffardi, Dr. Zahid Amjad, Richard Blake, Colin Frayne, and William E. Pearson.
New AWT president installed
Hamrick's one-year term as president runs from September 2006 - November 2007.
He has risen up the ranks of AWT, serving on various committees and in leadership roles such as secretary and as the president-elect. He has spent over 20 years in the water treatment industry, beginning his career as a sales/service engineer with Viking Chemicals. In 1985, Hamrick started working for GLA Water Management Company where he currently holds the position as President. Specific areas of expertise include cooling, product selection/design, boiler, and wastewater.
"It is a great honor for me to serve as president of AWT," said Jay Farmerie, outgoing AWT president. "I'm confident that we can continue to grow as an organization through training, certification, regulatory and public awareness programs—all to advance the highest in professional standards, preserve natural resources and promote the growth and development of the association's member firms."
The other 2007 board members are as follows: Matt Copthorne, CWT, president-elect; David Christophersen, CWT, treasurer; Scott Olson, CWT, secretary; Jay Farmerie, CWT, immediate past president; Allan Bassett, CWT; R. Trace Blackmore, CWT; Mary Stephens, CWT; Jack Walker, CWT; Michael Standish, supplier representative.
Demonstrating the caliber of those who serve on the AWT Board of Directors, for the fourth year in a row, all voting members of the AWT Board have attained Certified Water Technologist (CWT) status. The CWT is the highest professional credential in the industrial and commercial water treatment field.
AWT (www.awt.org) is an international trade association representing nearly 500 regional companies that specialize in industrial and commercial water treatment for heating and cooling systems (boilers, cooling towers, etc). These companies may also specialize in wastewater treatment, potable water treatment, and other industry segments.
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