VOORHEES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water utility, announced today that Dr. Mark LeChevallier, Director of Innovation & Environmental Stewardship, has been selected by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) to receive the 2012 Abel Wolman Award of Excellence. This award is one of AWWA’s highest honors and is presented annually to recognize those whose careers in the water works industry exemplify vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance characteristic of Abel Wolman's long and productive career.
Dr. LeChevallier has demonstrated his leadership abilities throughout his 27-year career with American Water, during which he has held increasingly challenging positions. Since 1985, Dr. LeChevallier has worked for American Water and currently directs the research and environmental compliance programs, including the development of environmental management plans for more than 1,000 operating centers, environmental audits to ensure compliance, development of a national cross connection control program, and implementation of environmental stewardship and greenhouse gas control programs. He also leads the company’s Innovation Development Process (IDP), which tests and develops new technologies and processes for use in the company and the water industry. The results of Dr. LeChevallier’s leadership and expertise are evidenced by American Water’s industry-leading compliance with EPA standards, achieving a score of greater than a 99.9 percent for drinking water, as well as by the innovations being brought to the industry by the company in the areas of water and wastewater treatment and water-energy efficiency.
“Mark truly exemplifies vision, creativity, and excellence in the water industry, making him very well respected among his colleagues and a valuable resource to American Water and to our customers, who ultimately benefit from his expertise and leadership,” said Jeff Sterba, CEO of American Water. “He is a world-class researcher whose commitment, knowledge and passion have clearly benefited the entire water industry. American Water is very proud of Mark, who is most deserving of this high honor.”
Dr. LeChevallier’s contributions to the water industry include 20 awards, 14 AWWA positions and over 100 research papers authored or co-authored. He has also served as principal investigator or co-investigator on nearly 60 research grants totaling over $25.5 million.
Dr. LeChevallier has been dedicated to advancing the science of water for more than 30 years through participation in national research foundations, including conducting nearly $1.5 million of research on the topic of water reuse and planning. Additionally, he has served on a variety of professional committees at the local and national level, including several for AWWA and U.S. EPA.
Despite the demands of his professional work, Dr. LeChevallier has always made it a point to serve his community. He is a mentor and guide for other scientists. He has actively engaged students at the elementary, high school, and college level, and has served on graduate student committees at numerous universities.
Dr. LeChevallier is also known around the industry for his talent for making complex scientific concepts more easily understandable to the general public. With this goal in mind, he recently began writing a blog on American Water’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/weareamericanwater.
Dr. LeChevallier will receive the 2012 Abel Wolman Award of Excellence in June at AWWA's Annual Conference & Exposition in Dallas, Texas.
About American Water
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.