Wastewater Industry Honors Announced at WWETT Show

Wastewater Industry Honors Announced at WWETT Show

Jeff Rachlin, left, accepts the NAWT Excellence in Service Award at the 2018 WWETT Show. Tom Ferrero, center, and Gene Bassett, right, are presenters.

The pumping industry’s two major annual awards were presented at the National Association of Wastewater Technicians State Association Breakfast meeting at the 2018 Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show in Indianapolis on Feb. 22. Association members and officers gathered to honor the award recipients, nominate a slate of officers and conduct NAWT business.

Excellence in service

The Excellence in Service Award was given to Jeff Rachlin, owner of OnSite Management in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and longtime officer of NAWT.

Presenting the award, Tom Ferrero, NAWT secretary, praises Rachlin for his dedication to increasing training opportunities and building professionalism in the industry. He says Rachlin was in the construction and homebuilding industry in suburban Philadelphia 20 years ago when he began to focus on onsite system installation. He has been involved as a trainer for both NAWT and the Pennsylvania Septage Management Association.

“He’s more of a businessman than a lot of us in the industry and very hands-on with high-tech onsite systems,” Ferrero says. “It’s not your father’s septic business anymore, and it shouldn’t be. (Rachlin) has been critical to the focus on training and getting the industry educated.”

Rachlin, who served as NAWT president for three years, says he appreciates the benefits he’s received through his association involvement over the years.

“I probably get back twice as much as anything I ever put into it,” he said when accepting the award. 

Ralph Macchio Lifetime Achievement Award

The Ralph Macchio Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to David Gustafson, P.E., of the University of Minnesota onsite wastewater treatment education program. Gustafson has taught education courses and seminars through NAWT for 30 years, both at locations across the U.S. and at the WWETT Show. He is known for lively presentations and encouraging active participation among attendees.

“He has proven a sense of humor goes a long way. David is certainly a drawing card at any training session. He keeps everybody on the edge of their seats, interactive and involved,” Ferrero says. “He still fills our classrooms. He apologizes every time for being an engineer, but he brings it down to our level and is certainly a worthy recipient.”

Gustafson says the wastewater leaders in NAWT always pushed him to improve the training sessions. He thanked COLE Publishing founder Bob Kendall, who presented the award with Ferrero, for establishing the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo, now the WWETT Show, and fostering professionalism in the industry.

“You get so much more than you could ever give from working with the professionals and the guys and gals that make this a fabulous industry,” Gustafson says. “We need to keep the industry going forward. I think we’re at a place that if we’re not moving forward, we’re going to lose significant ground.”

The award namesake, Ralph Macchio, also thanked Gustafson for sharing his expertise. “You keep us on our toes, and we learn a lot from you by the way you teach. You’re a special educator who has the ability to reach all the people in the room,” he says.

David Gustafson, P.E., accepts the Ralph Macchio Lifetime Achievement Award. He is joined by Ralph Macchio, left, and Gene Bassett, right.
David Gustafson, P.E., accepts the Ralph Macchio Lifetime Achievement Award. He is joined by Ralph Macchio, left, and Gene Bassett, right.

Macchio honored

Kendall also presented Macchio, a founding member of NAWT, with a statuette honoring him as the first winner of the award in his name in 1998. At the time, COLE Publishing had not created the statue that has been given to all subsequent winners. Macchio and his wife, Rosalie, regular attendees at the WWETT Show, accepted the award. It was also Macchio’s 80th birthday.

On his 80th birthday, Ralph Macchio, left, accepts a statue commemorating the 20-year anniversary of receiving the first Ralph Macchio Lifetime Achievement Award. He was joined by his wife, Rosalie and COLE Publishing founder Bob Kendall.
On his 80th birthday, Ralph Macchio, left, accepts a statue commemorating the 20-year anniversary of receiving the first Ralph Macchio Lifetime Achievement Award. He was joined by his wife, Rosalie and COLE Publishing founder Bob Kendall.

Scholarship winners

NAWT also announced two winners of the William Hapchuk Memorial Scholarship. The scholarships are awarded to college students with ties to or an interest in the wastewater industry. The winners were chosen based on academic accomplishment and a new grading system. Receiving a $1,500 scholarship are Anui Zhang, a student at Purdue University, and Alex Nolan, a student at the University of Colorado.

The membership also chose officers for 2018. They are Gene Bassett, president; Bruce Fox, vice president; Tom Ferrero, secretary; and Rachlin, treasurer.



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