PAST RECIPIENTS 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Representative John A. Maher James H. Cawley Representative Robert W. Godshall Erik A. Ross John T. Hines John R. Hanger Kim Pizzingrilli Camille “Bud” George Richard A. Rogers Paul K. Marchetti Representative Carole Rubley Terrance J. Fitzpatrick Frederick A. Marrocco David E. Hess John M. Quain Senator Raphael J. Musto
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Walter A. Lyon Michael D. Klein David A. Long, PhD Governor Tom Ridge Senator David J. Brightbill Wendell F. Holland William R. Shane William R. Lloyd Edith D. Stevens Dr. Ruth Patrick Governor Robert P. Casey Senator D. Michael Fisher George I. Bloom Clifford L. Jones Dr. Maurice K. Goddard Governor Dick Thornburgh
The James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence is the highest honor bestowed by the National Association of Water Companies – Pennsylvania Chapter. The award is presented each year to a resident of Pennsylvania who most exemplifies dedication to promoting the availability of safe drinking water in the Commonwealth. The Annual Award for Excellence was named for the late James McGirr Kelly, Senior United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Judge Kelly was a former member of the Public Utility Commission and former vice president of American Water Works Service Company, Inc. He was the first recipient of the award in 1983.
James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence The James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence is the highest honor bestowed by the National Association of Water Companies-Pennsylvania Chapter. The award is presented each year to a resident of Pennsylvania who most exemplifies dedication to promoting the availability of safe drinking water in the Commonwealth.
Patti Kay Wisniewski U.S. EPA Region III
• Rule. She listened to the industry needs and was instrumental in reporting changes related to electronic delivery of Consumer Confidence Reports.
Patti Kay Wisniewski 2016 Recipient, James McGirr Kelly Annual Award for Excellence Patti Kay Wisniewski has dedicated her 31-year career at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to helping others, internal and external to the agency. Patti Kay’s drinking water experience began in 1980 while EPA was managing the drinking water program in Pennsylvania. She worked for two years with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), then the Department of Environmental Resources (DER), during the transition of the program over to the Commonwealth. For many years, Patti Kay served as a Team Leader to state program managers while also overseeing the Pennsylvania program. Her experience and interactions with the water industry provided input into the development of the Consumer Confidence Report Rule and the revisions to the Public Notification
Since 2002, Patti Kay as served as the Regulatory Development and Implementation Specialist in the drinking water program and as the Drinking Water Security and CounterTerrorism Coordinator involved in agency initiatives surrounding security, preparedness, emergency response and counter-terrorism, most recently expanding into climate resiliency. During 2015, Patti Kay had the privilege of serving as the Drinking Water Branch Chief, managing 12 staff encompassing direct oversight of the water systems in the District of Columbia, source water protection, operator certification, capacity development, and state grant funding and program oversight. Patti Kay has been recognized for her efforts on EPA national workgroups by receiving numerous medals such as: •
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A Gold Medal for the Consumer Confidence Rule development workgroup; A Silver Medal for innovation and perseverance in revising the Total Coliform Rule; An individual Silver Medal for assisting water suppliers with the completion of vulnerability assessments under the Bioterrorism Act of 2002; and
A Bronze Medal for the Climate Ready Water Utilities Team for exemplary work in providing tools and resources that promotes a clear understanding of the climate science and adaptation options for the water sector.
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In addition, Patti Kay has also been honored with the following: •
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A Certificate of Achievement from the Federal Executive Board for outstanding public service in 2015. EPA Region III’s Customer Service awardee in 2011. EPA Office of Administration and Resources Management, 2008 Assistance Management Award for work in creating a Grants Center of Excellence in the Region III Water Protection Division EPA’s 2008 National Notable Achievement Award for homeland security and water infrastructure protection. EPA Region III’s 1988 Glen Witmer Award recipient for her integrity, initiative, perception, resourcefulness, dedication, enthusiasm and objectivity in service to the environment.
The water industry has shown its appreciation for Patti Kay’s efforts in providing timely information about new federal drinking water regulations and the availability of numerous tools and resources available to utilities for planning, preparing and responding to emergencies and extreme weather.
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2015 Ivan M. Glace Award recipient from the Water Works Operators Association of Pennsylvania (WWOAP) 2014 George Warren Fuller Award recipient from the Pennsylvania Section AWWA along with a 2010 Special Recognition of Service award 2014 Silver Drop - 30 years of AWWA membership 2012 Samuel S. Baxter Award recipient 2011 Harry J. Krum awardee from the WWOAP Life time member (30 years) of WWOAP
In 2016, Patti Kay was instrumental in helping the DEP and the water industry draft and implement the Revised Total Coliform Rule by providing needed guidance from EPA Region III to make sure that Pennsylvania followed the federal Total Coliform Rule. Patti Kay holds a BS in environmental science from Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Throughout her career, Patti Kay has been a leader in the water industry and has earned the respect and admiration of federal and state regulators, in addition to the regulated community in Pennsylvania. Patti Kay exemplifies the qualities espoused through this award and deserves the accolades bestowed upon her as the 2016 recipient of the James McGirr Kelly Annual Award for Excellence.