Annual WPUDA Awards
2023/2024 Award Winners
Lifetime Achievement Award
Randy Knowles, Klickitat County PUD Commissioner
Good Samaritan
Lewis County PUD crew members: Brad Peters, Bob Hadley, Joel Chandler, Travis Merriman, Hunter Blair
WPUDA Educational Scholarship
Aleena Maycumber, Ferry County
Kenna Newell, Skamania County
WPUDA Lifetime Achievement Award
The WPUDA Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor presented by the Washington Public Utility Districts Association. It recognizes the commitment of an individual to the philosophy and purpose of public power and water and to WPUDA. Commissioners, managers, or employees of a member PUD of WPUDA, either past or present, who has shown exceptional leadership in and dedication to the ideals and principles of the association is eligible to receive this award.
Each member PUD is eligible to submit one nomination from its own or another district. The final decision will be made by the WPUDA Awards Committee.
Past Winners
| 2023/2024 |
Randy Knowles |
Klickitat County PUD |
| 2022 |
Linda Gott |
Mason County PUD No. 3 |
| 2021 |
Steve Wright
Bob Hunter |
Chelan County PUD
Kitsap County PUD |
| 2020 |
Paul Rogers |
Kittitas County PUD |
| 2019 |
Dan Peterson, Dennis Bolz |
Pend Oreille PUD, Chelan PUD |
| 2018 |
Ed Brost, Bill Dobbins |
Franklin County PUD, Douglas County PUD |
| 2017 |
Bob Geddes, Doug Miller, Karl Denison |
Lewis PUD, Pacific County PUD, Mason PUD No. 1 |
| 2016 |
Dick Price |
Stevens PUD |
| 2015 |
Roger Sparks and Ron Hatfield |
Kittitas PUD and Pacific County PUD |
| 2014 |
Gary Hicks and Ron Ihrig |
Asotin PUD and Klickitat PUD |
| 2013 |
Lynn Heminger and Tracy Colard |
Douglas County PUD and Mason County PUD No. 1 |
| 2012 |
Tom Casey and Jim Sanders |
Grays Harbor PUD and Benton PUD |
| 2011 |
Ted Simpson |
Clallam PUD |
| 2010 |
Dave Muller |
Lewis PUD |
| 2009 |
Tom Svendsen |
Klickitat PUD |
| 2008 |
Benjamin H. Settle |
Mason PUD No. 1/No. 3 |
| 2007 |
Shirley Reese |
Energy Northwest |
| 2006 |
Vera Claussen |
Grant PUD |
| |
Mike Doneen |
Douglas PUD |
| 2005 |
Harlan Warner |
Okanogan PUD |
| 2004 |
Jim Wall |
Chelan PUD |
| 2003 |
Robert Graves |
Benton PUD |
| |
John Goldsbury |
Benton PUD |
William T. Elmgren Public Service Award
This award pays tribute to the more than 50 years of public service by former Clark County PUD Commissioner William T. Elmgren. Any full-time district employee below the manager level who exemplifies PUD commitment and involvement in the community is eligible. Candidates will be evaluated on the following criteria: Community service that addresses or improves the community’s social, educational, cultural, economic, or environmental condition; including involvement in service clubs and volunteer work;
- Governmental service activities, including membership such as city council, school boards, elected and appointed positions;
- Professional/technical ability, leadership on the job, outstanding work performance, and relationship with fellow employees;
- Offices held or leadership in local or other organizations, and;
- Other related activities.
A traveling plaque with the winner’s name and year is displayed in the PUD district office. A second plaque is presented to the employee. In addition, WPUDA awards a $250 contribution to a local charity chosen by the recipient.
Past Winners
| 2023/2024 |
No recipient |
|
| 2022 |
No recipient |
|
| 2021 |
No recipient |
|
| 2020 |
Don Coppock |
Okanogan PUD |
| 2019 |
No recipient |
|
| 2018 |
No recipient |
|
| 2017 |
No recipient |
|
| 2016 |
Scot Erickson |
Chelan PUD |
| 2015 |
Debbie Gallaher |
Chelan PUD |
| 2014 |
Sarah DeLozier |
Chelan PUD |
| 2013 |
Susy Anderson |
Grant PUD |
| 2012 |
Carol Wardell |
Chelan PUD |
| 2011 |
Carl Jonsson |
Grays Harbor PUD |
| 2010 |
Brad Hawkins |
Douglas PUD |
| 2009 |
Dave Andrews |
Cowlitz PUD |
| 2008 |
No recipient |
|
| 2007 |
Gary Long |
Benton PUD |
| 2006 |
Len Anderson |
Douglas PUD |
| 2005 |
Ray (Mac) McGregor |
Douglas PUD |
| 2004 |
Steve Lovitt |
Grant PUD |
| 2003 |
Todd Blackman |
Franklin PUD |
| 2002 |
No recipient |
|
| 2001 |
No recipient |
|
| 2000 |
No recipient |
|
| 1999 |
Ronald Scott Ihrig |
Klickitat PUD |
| 1998 |
Bobbi Weller |
Ferry PUD |
| 1997 |
Michael Brennan |
Wahkiakum PUD |
| 1996 |
Michael Babst |
Chelan PUD |
| 1995 |
Mary Jean Lord |
Klickitat PUD |
| 1994 |
Jeff Smith |
Chelan PUD |
| 1993 |
Judie Stanton |
Clark Public Utilities |
| 1992 |
Herbert Curtis |
Douglas PUD |
| 1991 |
Fred Howard |
Snohomish PUD |
| 1990 |
Wayne Wright |
Chelan PUD |
| 1989 |
Keith Silen |
Klickitat PUD |
| 1988 |
Denny Evans |
Pacific PUD |
| 1987 |
Robert Hanson |
Snohomish PUD |
| 1986 |
Rick Reil |
Benton PUD |
| 1985 |
Richard Thompson |
Mason PUD |
| 1984 |
Edward Parker |
Okanogan PUD |
Good Samaritan Award
The Good Samaritan Award is presented to a Washington public utility district employee or employees who in the past year demonstrated meritorious action in a life-threatening situation. More than one Good Samaritan can be nominated if involved in the same incident. Nominations may come from managers, commissioners, or employee groups. The winner of the Good Samaritan Award will be honored with a personal plaque.
Past Winners
| 2023/2024 |
Lewis County PUD Crew:
Brad Peters
Bob Hadley
Joel Chandler
Travis Merriman
Hunter Blair |
Lewis County PUD |
| 2022 |
Sharon Mataya |
Skagit County PUD |
| 2021 |
Tommy Jensen
The Emergency Response Team
(Roy Bensch,Jeremy Coleman,
Stephen Gilliland,Travis Havens,
Tyrone Mertes,Brian Saunders,
Mike Allen,Willie Stone)
|
Clark Public Utilities
Grant County PUD |
| 2020 |
Levi Dunlap |
Energy Northwest |
| 2019 |
No recipient |
|
| 2018 |
Jeff Wittler, Helen Berglund |
Clark Public Utilities, Grays Harbor PUD |
| 2017 |
Bonnie Young and Corenne Moses |
Lewis County PUD |
| 2016 |
Joe Helvey |
Clallam County PUD |
| 2015 |
Noah Mawae, Mel Ferrier and Kevin Phillips, Larry Schaapman, employees of Okanogan PUD |
Clark Public Utilities, Mason County PUD No. 3, Grant County PUD, Okanogan County PUD |
| 2014 |
Jeff Moses and Chelan PUD Crew: Cindy Bowen-Lorrain, Darren Davis, Todd Melton, Chris Shimer, Daniel Martyn |
Cowlitz PUD and Chelan PUD |
| 2013 |
Vince Campagna |
Mason PUD No. 3 |
| 2012 |
Michael D. Howe |
Okanogan PUD |
| 2011 |
Dale Benner, Steven Tobin, Justin Mills, Natheon Camus, Steve Button, Toni Fairchild, Rachel Fredrickson |
Grays Harbor PUD |
| 2010 |
Matt Hollis |
Skamania PUD |
| 2009 |
Lewis Schooler, Curt Brewer, Steve Kozial, Brian Saunders, Steve Horner, Chuck Hansen, Farrell Coulsen, Jesse Martin, Steve Kerr |
Grant PUD |
| 2009 |
Todd Gaston |
Benton PUD |
| 2009 |
Ashley Stimmel |
Clark Public Utility |
| 2008 |
No recipient |
|
| 2007 |
RJ Fronsman & Josh Noga |
Grant PUD |
| 2006 |
Mike McBee, Dan Dean, Barry Balvitsch & Dean Oberlander |
Franklin PUD |
| 2005 |
Brenna Morris, Kary Meredith, Nate Rogers & Dave Johnson |
Grant PUD |
| 2004 |
Mike Snyder, Hiland Hoiland, Brent Darnell & Darren Robertson |
Douglas PUD |
| 2003 |
Kathy Weston, jan Ralston & Mike McClean |
Clark Public Utilities |
WPUDA Educational Scholarship
The WPUDA Educational Scholarship is awarded annually to a high school student who is the son or daughter of a PUD employee in Washington. Formerly the Walkley Scholarship, the Educational Scholarship recognize a dependent of a PUD employee and member of WPUDA. Each year, the Association seeks to award a $1,000.00 scholarship to a well-rounded student who demonstrates scholastic ability, community involvement, and thoughtful consideration of the services provided by PUDs.
Past Winners
| 2021 |
Katherine Taylor
Cheyenne Maggard |
Mason PUD No.3
Clallam County PUD |
| 2020 |
Abby Kay |
Grays Harbor PUD |
| 2019 |
Jessica Dunlap, Macy
Wienecke
|
Benton County PUD, Clark Public Utilities |
| 2018 |
Jayson Maddux |
Clark Public Utilities |
| 2017 |
Michael Darling |
Benton PUD |
| 2016 |
Aspen Despain |
Douglas PUD |
| 2015 |
Paul Bennett |
Mason County PUD No. 3 |
| 2014 |
Tiana Parker |
Thurston PUD |
| 2013 |
Bowe McKay |
Lewis County PUD |
| 2012 |
Kira Dunsmoor |
Pacific County PUD |
| 2011 |
Nicholas Sargent |
Franklin PUD |
| 2010 |
Daniel Thiel |
Klickitat PUD |
| 2009 |
Marrisa Davidson |
Mason PUD #3 |
| 2008 |
Brent Etzkorn |
Chelan PUD |
| 2007 |
Alexandria Rostvold |
Mason PUD #3 |
| 2006 |
Travis Zimmerman |
Pend Oreille PUD |
| 2005 |
Anthony Butler |
Energy Northwest |
| 2004 |
Desa-Ray McKinney |
Cowlitz PUD |
| 2003 |
Thomas Creekpaum III |
Mason PUD #3 |
| 2002 |
Kellie Brennan |
Wahkiakum PUD |
| 2001 |
Brianna Himlie |
Mason PUD #3 |
| 2000 |
Jessica Nave |
Snohomish PUD |
| 1999 |
Jeremy Groth |
Ferry PUD |
| 1998 |
Jennifer Gunkel |
Klickitat PUD |
| 1997 |
Karen Muller |
Lewis PUD |
| 1996 |
John Brust |
Snohomish PUD |
| 1995 |
Kortney Dolan |
Pacific PUD |
| 1994 |
Jason Holmes |
Lewis PUD |
| 1993 |
Joe Louis |
Asotin PUD |
| 1992 |
Taryn Pedersen |
Cowlitz PUD |
| 1991 |
Melisa Smith |
Clallam PUD |
| 1990 |
James Buechel |
Mason PUD #3 |
| 1989 |
Diane Ash |
Grant PUD |
| 1988 |
Rhonda Sanders |
Klickitat PUD |
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