Gary W. Hanson of Union Grove was awarded the distinguished Koby Crabtree Award from the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators’ Association during formal ceremonies held Oct. 9-12 at the Conference’s annual awards banquet.
The Koby Crabtree Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in the transfer of technical information and conducting training in the wastewater field.
Award recipients are chosen based on their research and education in the wastewater field and their ability to clearly transfer technical information to others.
Hanson has been a licensed water and wastewater treatment professional for 37 years. He worked for the Village of Union Grove as the Superintendent for the Wastewater and Water Utility from 1975 -1988, including starting up the new wastewater treatment plant in 1978. He has been employed as the Superintendent of the Town of Yorkville Wastewater and Water Utility since 1981.
Hanson has served as an instructor and on the advisory committee of the Waukesha County Technical College. He has spoken at several regional, state and national Water and Wastewater Operator conferences.
He is a Certified Environmental Trainer and a member of the National Environmental Training Association. He is an active member of the Water Environment Federation and serves on the plant operations and maintenance committees.
Hanson was appointed by former Gov. Jim Doyle to revise the state’s Wastewater Operator’s licensure criteria. He currently serves on the Department of Natural Resources committee to update the Wastewater Operator’s Certification Exam.
Hanson has been an active member in WWOA since 1975. He has served as treasurer, recorder and president of the Southeast District and as Director, Vice President and President of the state association.
He has also chaired and served on the WWOA Technical Program committee for the past 22 years. In 1982, he was awarded the Southeast Wisconsin District Operator of the Year Award. In 2001, he received the WWOA Service Award.
Hanson has been an employee of AECOM for 25 years. As a Senior Operations Specialist, he assists clients with start-up, trouble shooting, performance certification, pilot testing and treatability studies of water and wastewater treatment plants.
The Koby Crabtree award is named for Dr. Koby Crabtree, a Hiroshima survivor, who freely shared his knowledge in wastewater treatment and microbiology. Dr. Crabtree moved to the United States in 1945, where he earned degrees in chemistry, bacteriology, and civil engineering. His specialization was the microbiology of wastewater.
The WWOA has a total combined membership of more than 2,000 individuals, including wastewater treatment plant operators, chemists, engineers, municipal officials, equipment manufacturers and representatives, educators, regulatory officials and others who have a direct involvement in the water pollution control industry.
Its goals include: promotion of good public relations in the water pollution control field; advancement of fundamental and practical knowledge concerning the operation, maintenance and management of wastewater facilities; assisting in the training of today’s wastewater professionals; and providing networking opportunities for individuals employed in the water pollution control industry.
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