Michigan Section AWWA

Happy #NationalGroundwaterAwarenessWeek!

?? It's Water Fact Friday! Do you know how many gallons of water there are in the Great Lakes? Only SIX QUADRILLION. Seems like a lot to us! Shoutout to all the amazing Michigan water professionals that are helping to protect all 6,000,000,000,000,000+ gallons ??????

Michigan's own Cheryl Porter is featured on the cover of the March issue of Municipal Water Leader! Regarding the future of the water workforce, Cheryl says, "for me, what is important is finding what people are naturally passionate about and leveraging that for the benefit of the water sector. There's room for everybody. Bring your talent to us. We're happy to have it." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gmHhrPDN

? Tick Tock! The Clock is Counting Down ... ? Got a game-changing idea or a fresh take on the water industry? Now’s your chance to take the mic at MI-ACE 2025! ?? Share your expertise ?? Connect with water industry pros ?? Leave the audience saying, “Whoa, that was brilliant!” Don't Delay: The deadline to submit is March 3. Submit your abstract today! #MIACE2025 #abettermichigan #CallForSpeakers #MIAWWA

??????? Celebrating Excellence in Public Services! ?? Public Services Director James Hurt recently recognized the outstanding employees of the City of Grand Rapids Public Services Group for their dedication and impact. These employees serve as ambassadors for our City, delivering essential services that improve the quality of life for all residents. Over the past year, statewide and local organizations have honored many of our team members for their expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Please join us in congratulating these exceptional individuals: ?? American Public Works Association (APWA) Michigan Chapter - ?? Michigan Public Services Institute Graduates: Nick Fisher, Utility Supervisor Byron Ingram, Public Works Supervisor James Postema, Public Works Supervisor Bob Swain, Public Works Supervisor Manager ?? Road Scholars Program Graduates: Kyle Perkins, Public Works Crewleader Scott Smith, Public Works Crewleader Jessie Sterling, Equipment Operator ??? Project of the Year: ?? Biodigester/Combined Heat & Power Project at the Water Resource Recovery Facility ?? MI Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Award Winners Samarhia Giffel – Chuck Van der Kolk Volunteer of the Year Award Nick Fisher – Young Professional of the Year Award Hillary Caron – Professional Excellence Award ?? Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) Award Winners Mike Ortiz – Collection Systems Professional of the Year Award Rick Varga – Donald M. Pierce Award Gary DeKock – Excellence in Service Award Robert Carlstrom – Pretreatment Program Professional of the Year Award Bill Poelma – Maintenance Professional of the Year Award Lauren McIntyre – P.K. Sarda Lab Professional of the Year Award City of Grand Rapids WFFR – MWEA Presidents Award for 2024 ?? Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) Rick DeVries – Carmine Palombo Individual Achievement Award for Asset Management ?? Grand Rapids Police Board of Awards Sally Beyer – Exceptional Civilian Service Award for her efforts in corridor cleaning and supporting the unhoused community ?? These awards showcase our Public Services employees' dedication, skill, and heart. Their work makes Grand Rapids a better place to live, and we proudly celebrate their achievements! #PublicServiceExcellence #GrandRapids #CommunityImpact #Teamwork #Leadership

From junior chemist to COO at the Great Lakes Water Authority and AWWA President, Cheryl Porter’s water story is rooted in her love for her community and her collaborative leadership style. Discover her story, her leadership principles, and her passion for paying it forward in this recent Journal AWWA article “Waves of Change: African American Leaders Transforming the Water Sector," authored by AWWA's Carita Parks, MBA. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gyYt6STJ Throughout #BlackHistoryMonth, we will be highlighting seven African American leaders who are transforming the water industry. Read their stories and get inspired!

We loved the excitement and energy of Joint Expo and Operators Day! What was one of your biggest takeaways from this year's event?

This month, we celebrate the Black professionals shaping the water sector and their dedication to protecting our most vital resource. #BHM

?? MI-AWWA YPs and MWEA NPs Event! ?? This past Thursday, the Michigan Section AWWA YPs and Michigan Water Environment Association MWEA NPs toured Michigan State University's Drinking Water Treatment Plant and East Lansing Water Resource Recovery Facility. Special thanks to Tom Silsby and Josh Moore and their teams for giving such informative and educational tours! After the tour, attendees networked at Crunchy's and enjoyed getting to know other water professionals in Michigan! We had forty-five water professionals join us and are so thankful for the opportunity to have had such a successful event.

?? Discover Your Future in Water! ?? Are you a student or aspiring professional looking to make waves in the water industry? Don’t miss the 2025 Career Roundtable, where you’ll connect with seasoned professionals, hear their inspiring stories, and explore exciting career opportunities in this essential field. ?? Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 ?? Location: Lansing Center, Lansing, MI ? Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ?? What to Expect: ?? Inspiring career stories from water industry leaders ?? Networking with professionals and peers ?? Insights into diverse roles like engineering, sustainability, and operations Held in conjunction with the Joint Expo and Operator Days, this event is your gateway to a meaningful career in water! ?? Register Now: https://lnkd.in/ewzzwYnC Tag your friends, spread the word, and dive into a future that makes a difference! ???? #WaterCareers #CareerRoundtable #JointExpo2025 #Sustainability #STEMCareers #Networking