Regional Awards Info & Recipients - Wisconsin Wastewater Operators' Association

Annual Awards

Region of the Year Awards

The WWOA is comprised of six regions, the Southern, Southeastern, Lake Michigan, North Central, Northwest, and West Regions.

This award is presented annually to a region that has done outstanding work in their respective areas of the state. The regions promote the organization by bringing training and support to local communities, wastewater treatment plants, and operators. The regions also provide information to their area about the WWOA organization through the state and regional website. The regions also provide written information to the official WWOA publication The Clarifier.

List of Past Region of the Year Winners

2023 North Central
2022 West Central
2021 Southern Region
2020 Lake Michigan
2019 Southeast
2018 North Central
2017 Southern Region
2016 West Central
2015 Northwest
2014 Southeast
2013 Lake Michigan
2012 North Central
2011 Lake Michigan
2010 Southern
2009 North Central
2008 Lake Michigan

Regional Operator of the Year Awards

Given to someone who has demonstrated excellent plant performance, and/or successful solution to a problem, and/or contributions to the wastewater field. It is open to Wisconsin operators of municipal, industrial, or institutional wastewater treatment facilities. Operators may or may not be Certified. Eligible candidates include those working in a variety of areas, including general plant operations, biosolids, collections, engineering, lab operations, maintenance, etc. The nominee must be at least a five-year member of WWOA.

Award includes a plaque and a framed certificate

List of Past Regional Operator of the Year (Lake Michigan)

2023 Andrew Vitek
2022 Todd Weyenberg;
2021 Jenny Pagel; Clintonville
2020 Jerry Linsmeier; Whitelaw
2019 Marc Stephanie; Valders
2018 Craig Lawniczak; Green Bay
2017 Warren Howard; Marinette
2016 Brent Mulholland; Two Rivers
2015 Kevin Nett; New Holstein
2014 Steve Woodworth; Oconto
2013 Charles Fochs
2012 Glen Geurts; Heart of the Valley
2011 Dave Hartmann; Wolf Treatment Plant
2010 James Nenahlo; St. Nazianz
2009 David LeFebvre; Green Bay MSD
2008 Kevin Skogman; Heart of the Valley
2007 Donald Lintner; New Holstein
2006 Darrell Teal; Clintonville
2005 Frank Dart; Maribel
2004 Larry Lambries; Two Rivers
2003 Brian Helminger; Shawano
2002 Louis Dresen; New London
2001 John Schoen; Seymour
2000 Bob Brull; Two Rivers
1999 Mike Kwiatkowski; Black Creek
1998 Jeff Weinreis; Reedsville
1997 Joel Jodarski; Silver Lake
1996 Bob Salmi; Ephraim
1995 James R. Kirk; Kaukauna
1994 James H. Krueger; Denmark
1993 Steven Jacobson; Sister Bay
1992 Andy Froemming; Bonduel
1991 Steven R. Tice; Clintonville
1990 Michael Geurts; Kiel
1989 Richard Elmergreen; Seymour
1988 David Carlson; Grand Chute - Menasha West
1987 Raymond Schultz; Two Rivers
1986 Donald Shillin; Kewaunee
1985 David Benner; DePere
1984 Ervin (Bob) Petersen; Oconto Falls
1983 Bill Van Rooy; Oneida
1982 Matt Schuh; Chilton
1981 Russell Thompson; King
1980 Gene Sorenson; Waupaca
1979 Harland (Bud) Schuelke; Neenah/Menasha
1978 Darwin Drake; Shawano Lake SD
1977 George Krueger; Oconto
1976 Roger Kapellen; New Holstein
1975 Leland Minton; Weyauwega

List of Past Regional Operator of the Year (North Central)

2023 Joel Goham
2022 Chris Lafave;
2021 Andy Heise; Rib Mountain
2020 Vic Kryzkowski
2018 Casey Jakubek; Plover
2017 Ken Bloom; Wausua
2016 Dan Felckowski; Village of Amherst
2015 Terry Vanden Heuvel; Merrill
2014 Jeff Hoeper; Abby Foods
2013 Robert Kurszewski
2012 John Nicksic; Mauston
2011 Chris Helgestad; Spencer
2010 Charles Soltis; Union Center
2009 Jeff Wunrow; Antigo
2008 Gus Strehlo; Wausau
2007 John Grall; Rib Mountain MSD
2006 Dan Folan; Almond
2005 Dan Dvorak; Edgar
2004 James Riege; Wausau
2003 Eric Niffenegger; Stevens Point
2002 Jerry Brehm; Vesper
2001 Rich Heinritz; Rib Mt. Met.
2000 Larry Weinfurter; Blenker-Sherry SD
1999 Joe Tennessen; Minocqua
1998 Bob Yurroch; New Lisbon
1996 Grant Groeschel; Rib Mountain MSD
1995 Larry J. Heindl; Marathon
1994 Thomas J. Zager; Wisconsin Rapids
1993 William Collins; Elroy
1992 Kenneth Johnson; Rib Mountain MSD
1991 William Balz; Athens
1990 Kevin Brewster; Eagle River
1989 Richard Boden; Plover
1988 Ronald W. Dickrell; Marshfield
1987 Dave Dombrowski; Amherst
1986 John Carey; Mosinee
1985 Donald Ceplina; Stevens Point
1984 Fred Minnich; Wausau
1983 John (Jack) B. Hofele; Merrill
1982 Lawrence Lovsletten; Tomahawk
1981 Lester Lafter; Wisconsin Rapids
1980 Robert LaFrenier; Lakeland Minocqua
1979 Steve Duebler; Wausau
1978 John Lewis; Whiting
1977 Arthur Hilber; Marathon
1976 Henry Tork; Stevens Point
1975 Duwayne Jenson; Spencer
1974 Henry Boorse; Edger

List of Past Regional Operator of the Year (Northwest)

2023 Alex Zenner
2022 Jim Arnold;
2021 Brooke Klingbeil; Medford
2020 Josh Pearson; Greater Bayfield WWTP
2018 Jaden Ebert; Cameron
2017 Roy Riebe III; Seneca Foods, Cumberland
2016 Tim Pernsteiner; Medford
2015 Larry Reinke; Jennie-O Turkey
2014 Robert Beffa; Birchwood
2013 Matt Boehmer
2012 Katie Goin; Cumberland
2011 Mike Romsos; Barron
2010 John Stack; Lake Nebagamon & Brule SD
2009 John Radloff; Ashland
2008 Ben Brooks; Medford
2006 Joel Weber; Bayfield
2005 Rick Glaser; Mercer Sanitary District #1
2002 Michael Dunn; Stetsonville
2001 Ruby Staub; Hayward
2000 Dave Bailey; City Forest Corp. Ladysmith
1999 Chris Jackson; Clear Lake
1998 Randy Baldauf; Mercer
1997 Jerry Chartraw; Cumberland
1996 Steve Brand; Ashland
1995 Rodney Peterson; Barron
1994 Michael P. Magee; Rice Lake
1993 Robert Briese; Clear Lake
1992 Michael P. McGinnis; Chetek
1991 John Fales; Medford
1990 Wally Thom; Rice Lake
1989 Milo Kadlec; Hayward
1988 Bill Rogers; Stone Lake SD
1987 George Siebert; Telemark Lodge
1986 Bea Laakkonen; Superior
1985 Jerry Miller; Ashland
1984 Terry Teeters; Prentice
1983 Bill Miller; Superior
1982 Thomas Rogers; Ladysmith
1981 Beverlee Thivierge; Iron River
1980 Al Schaff; Medford
1979 Frank Richter; Cameron
1978 Alvin Roen; Rice Lake
1977 Leonard Burkman; Hawkins
1976 Paul Solberg; Ashland
1975 Lee Holmes; Phillips
1974 Michael Bonney; Bayfield

List of Past Regional Operator of the Year (Southern)

2023 William Kiessling
2022 Mike Nolde;
2021 Rob Minnema; Beaver Dam
2020 Steve Schramm; Waupun Utilities
2019 Leif Spilde; Brooklyn
2018 Kevin Bliss; Janesville
2017 Kevin Freber; Watertown
2016 Jack Wendler; Ripon
2015 Bucky Walters; Brakebush Brothers, Inc.
2014 Steve Nighbor; Saputo Cheese USA
2013 Todd Fisher; Richland Center
2012 Skip Poster; Portage
2011 Dorothy Genz; Ixonia
2010 Joe Zakovec; Janesville
2009 Don Quarford; Beaver Dam
2008 Jim Sullivan; Town of Sullivan
2007 Robert Scherr; Lake Mills
2006 Brian Erickson; Stoughton
2005 Steve Nighbor; Alto Dairy
2004 Les Grant; WI Dells/Lake Delton
2003 Eugene Doro; Baraboo
2002 Wally Luttenberger; Waupun
2001 Dennis Egge; Janesville
2000 Howard Hemmer; Beloit
1999 Guy Loeffel; Monticello
1998 Randy Herwig; Lodi
1997 Harry “Ari” Mathos; Beloit
1996 Tom Scanlon; Reedsburg
1995 Floyd Finney; Beloit
1994 Paul R. Christensen; Fort Atkinson
1993 John Krug; Sun Prairie
1992 Forrest Perry; Milton
1991 Herbert Jones; Portage
1990 Richard D. McKee; Baraboo
1989 Dale Neis; Dickeyville
1988 Jerry Carroll; Lancaster
1987 Neil Osterberg; Berlin
1986 Robert McAusland; Madison MSD
1985 Charles Farr; Stoughton
1984 Lee Maxwell; Evansville
1983 John Weiss; Palmyra
1982 Roger Geisler; Boscobel
1981 Henry Opfermann; New Glarus
1980 Dennis Westhuis; Waupun
1980 Dale Stiller; Madison
1979 Vincent Adrian; Cassville
1978 Wilmer Keller; Richland Center
1977 Roger Sherman; Fort Atkinson
1976 Gerald Ellefson; Monroe
1975 William Staab; Beaver Dam

List of Past Regional Operator of the Year (Southeast)

2023 Dan Buehler
2022 Barry Henkel;
2021 Bob Biedrzycki; Lyons Sanitation District
2020 Tom Pluess; East Troy
2019 Nate Tillis; Waukesha
2018 Patrick J. Nolan; Waterford
2017 Paul Kintziger; South Milwaukee WWTF
2016 Kerry Gloss; Kenosha
2015 Timothy A. Nennig; Grafton
2014 Michael Penkwitz; Plymouth
2013 Tim Reel; Whitewater
2012 Len Aprahamian / Martin Dierker; Veolia Water Milwaukee
2011 Doug York; Fontana-Walworth
2010 Tom Steinbach; Oconomowoc
2009 Robert Wilson; Burlington
2008 Jim Marquardt; Pell Lake
2007 Robert Manthei; Kewaskum
2006 Dennis Wolf; Sussex
2005 John Erickson; Twin Lakes
2004 Gary Buntrock; Fredonia
2003 John Wrzeszcz; Genoa City
2002 Dennis Harmer; Kenosha
2001 Peter Conine; Waukesha
2000 Dean Dorner; Fontana-Walworth
1999 Dean Falkner; Sheboygan
1998 Russ Weigel; Brookfield
1997 Larry Zickert; Elkhart Lake
1996 Jeff Bratz; Eagle Lake SD
1995 Michael Becker; West Bend
1994 Connie Wilson; Scherrer Burlington
1993 Joseph Mueller; Port Washington
1992 Tom Rossmiller; East Troy
1991 Dean Fisher; Whitewater
1990 Robert H. Shepstone; Lake Geneva
1989 Brian Schultz; Jackson
1988 Steve Miller; Walworth County MSD
1987 Robert Williams; Silver Lake
1986 John Bizezinski, David Snortum, Lance Neske, Jeff Potrykus, Avtar Sandhu, Leonard Aprahamian, Robert Paul, Ron Czarnecki, Leonard Kieliszewaki, Georgia Williamson, George Schneider, Harold Bjorkquist, Ken Winiger, Don Kutz, & Robert Moser; Milwaukee MSD
1985 Jerry Selin; Kenosha
1984 Robert Hyde; Delahart
1983 Edmund Krueger; Grafton
1982 Gary Hanson; Union Grove
1981 William Kerlinske; Hartford
1980 Richard Neterval; Oconomowoc
1979 Robert Boivin; Cedarburg
1978 William Hilgendorf; Germantown
1977 Marvin Schwenn; Kenosha
1976 Donald Zacharias; Burlington
1975 Peter Albers; Kewaskum

List of Past Regional Operator of the Year (West Central)

2023 Brian Hein
2022 Tim Wiesner;
2021 Dennis Eaton; Village of Prescott
2020 Craig Hendrickson; Eau Claire
2019 Kurt Wood; City Brewing
2018 Daniel Burns; Cadott
2017 Charles Stanke; Cascades Tissue, Eau Claire
2016 Jared Greeno; La Crosse
2015 Dan Manier; Stanley
2014 Randy Lindquist; West Central WI Biosolids Facility
2013 Steven Skinner
2012 Paul Sterk; Menomonie WWU
2011 Greg Paul; LaCrosse
2010 Richard Weikel; Black River Falls
2009 Dennis Holtz; New Richmond
2008 Retamarie Seidl; Sparta
2007 Greg Engeset; Ellsworth
2006 Deb Gamble; Bay City
2005 Jeff DeJarlais; La Crosse
2004 Mark Flock; Sparta
2003 Gary Sweeney; Durand
2002 Larry Marcks; Pepin
2001 John Bond; Roberts
2000 Terry Stamm; Elk Mound
1999 Ramon Knudtson; North Bend
1998 Gary Newton; Baldwin
1997 Don Gutting; River Falls
1996 Tom Adams; Sparta
1995 Darrel Zietlow; Sparta
1994 William L. Batten; Desoto
1993 Donald Tinjun; Stanley
1992 Bernard Wopat; Stoddard
1991 Robert Nayes; Boyd
1990 James Schreiber; Hudson
1989 Julie Smith; Menomonie
1988 Gerald Larson; River Falls
1987 Gary Risen; Mondovi
1986 Bruce Allen; Fort McCoy
1985 Dick Carlson; Cadott
1984 Tom Lande; Menomonie
1983 Jerry Kitelinger; Tomah
1982 Vincent Karasch; Independence
1981 Everett Berg; Whitehall
1980 Elmer Rudesill; Baldwin
1979 Larry Marcks; Pepin
1978 Leon Gary; Hudson
1977 Alvin Lee; Gays Mills
1976 Clifford Bickle; Tomah
1975 Clarence Roberson; Luck
1974 Edward Jenson; Bloomer

Please note that the Regional Operator of the Year Award nominations should be submitted to the Regional officers listed on the nomination form by July 24. All other awards need to be submitted to the WWOA Awards Committee Chair by August 1 for consideration.

For further information on the awards, the nomination procedure, or if you have a question on if a potential nominee meets specific award criteria, direct inquiries to the Awards Committee Chair or send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you in advance for taking the time and effort to nominate individuals and allowing WWOA to recognize these deserving recipients.