Exciting News from OWB!

Congratulations to Mike Hewitt for selection as

the Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators Association's Gerald Samuel, Operator of the Year!

Mike Hewitt accepting his well-deserved award!

The Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators Association (AWWOA) lists several great reasons for recognizing Mike.

OWB is excited to share the great news that super volunteer Mike Hewitt was named the Gerald Samuel, Operator of the Year by the Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators Association (AWWOA). The following criteria were used in the selection process: years in the field; scope of work, service and community impact; training and education; mentorship accomplishments; extra-curricular activities related to the field. Mike clearly 'checks the box' easily in each category in stellar fashion.

This well-desrved award should come as no surprise to the OWB family. Mike was a 2025 Co-Winner of the 2024-25 OWB Madeleine Butschler Volunteer of the Year Award for his outstanding service. His recent work spans the Atlantic Ocean from Barbados and British Virgin Islands to across the sea in Ghana and Kenya. Currently, he is with OWB founder and Past Chair Valerie Jenkinson and new Board member (and super volunteer) Rhonda Harris in Nepal performing utility assessments (please see photo above). More information forthcoming on this exciting trip as OWB expands to the Asian continent working closely with our Australian Chapter.

Thank you Mike for your dedication to OWB and the other organizations referenced above by AWWOA. The communities we serve are better places because of your noble work. Job well done!