Celebrating exceptional service in Maine’s clean water industry.
JETCC is honored to work with many talented professionals and organizations in our efforts to protect Maine’s environment. Each year, JETCC recognizes personnel, managers, facilities and/or organizations who demonstrate outstanding service, dedication and leadership to the industry. Award recipients will be announced at the MeWEA Fall Convention by a JETCC representative.
Founders Award
The JETCC Founders Award is given to a staff member in a municipal or industrial wastewater treatment system who has shown exemplary service in their role, such as keeping a plant running smoothly or boosting team morale. The award is given in honor of the late Jerome “Frenchie” Guervremont in recognition for his guidance to Maine’s environmental community, his years of service to the town of Rangeley, and for his contributions as one of the original founders of JETCC in 1985.
Nominations for the 2026 Award are now closed.
2026 Award Recipient
Jeff Warden, Bethel WWTF
This year’s recipient is always asking questions, learning from other operators, and finding ways to make his plant better.
At Bethel, he helped introduce peracetic acid disinfection, simplifying operations and saving the town money. And if you ever want to know more about peracetic acid, just ask him—but make sure you have two hours to spare!
During a major plant upgrade, he helped keep treatment running with creative solutions and equipment he fabricated himself. For about seven years, he’s also been the glue holding Team Force Maine together.
He makes his plant better, and he makes the people around him better operators. This years Founders Award goes to Jeff Warden of Bethel WWTF.
Eligibility
The JETCC Founders Award is given annually to an operator, maintenance worker, or laboratory personnel working in a municipal or industrial wastewater treatment system in Maine. The award recognizes a staff member working in a plant or wastewater system; It is not intended to recognize plant superintendents, system managers, or engineers (management staff).
Award criteria:
- Employment history and long-term service in a Maine wastewater system.
- Meritorious service during a significant event.
- Assumption of additional responsibility that resulted in a benefit to the community or industry.
- Community involvement away from the job.
Nominations can be made by any superintendent, trustee, or member of a governing board/management staff providing oversight to a wastewater system in Maine.
An Awards Nomination Committee will be established by JETCC to review all submissions.
Past Recipients
- Jeremy Court, Biddeford Wastewater (2025)
- Andrew Whitaker, Saco Water Resource Recovery Department (2024)
- Michael Antonelli, South Berwick Sewer District (2023)
- Dwayne Brown, Town of Falmouth (2022)
- Richard Fox and Joseph Pereira, Rockland Pollution Control Facility (2021)
- Matthew Ondra, Rockland Pollution Control Facility (2020)
- Edwin Woods, Lewiston Auburn Clean Water Authority (LACWA) (2019)
Lee Agger Award
The Lee Agger Award was established in 1990 in memory of Lee Agger, whose hard work in establishing JETCC was an inspiration to all who worked with her. The award was created by the JETCC committee to recognize fellow environmental professionals, facilities or organizations who have shown a similar dedication to JETCC.
2026 Award Recipient
André Brousseau, Sanford Sewerage District
This year’s award goes to someone who has demonstrated their dedication to training efforts for many years, including as an instructor for Wastewater Operator School, Management Candidate School, and other JETCC trainings. This dedication to wastewater training is even more evident in their creation of a brand new, state-of-the-art training center at their plant. They have been an active community member in Maine and around New England, serving on the Executive Committee of Maine Water Environment Association and as the Maine representative for the New England Water Environment Association. This individual has been an encouraging voice, enthusiastic collaborator, and a willing participant to whatever task is graciously asked.
This year’s Lee Agger Award recipient is André Brousseau, Superintendent, Sanford Sewerage District.
Eligibility
Selection criteria is based on meritorious support and service to environmental training in the state of Maine by an individual(s) or facility/organization. Nominations are made by the JETCC staff and committee members.
Past Recipients
- Judy Bruenjes, Maine DEP (2025)
- Travis Jones, Olver Associates (2024)
- Phyllis Arnold Rand, Greater Augusta Utility District & Compass Rose Training Solutions (2023)
- Rob Pontau, Brunswick Sewer District (2022)
- Ken Locke, Brewer Water Pollution Control Facility (2021)
- York Sewer District (2020)
- Peter Sherwood, Kennebec Sanitary Treatment District (2019)
- Mark Holt, Jay Sewer Department (2018)
- Scott Firmin, Portland Water District (2017)
- Jack Berry, Ted Berry Company, Inc. (2016)
- Brunswick Sewer District (2015)
- Timothy LeVasseur, Kennebec Sanitary Treatment District (2014)
- Richard E. Darling, Maine Department of Environmental Protection (2013)
- Charles Conway, Retired NEIWPCC & EPA (2012)
- Al Jellison, Bangor Wastewater Treatment Facility (2011)
- Andrew Wendell, ClearWater Laboratory (2010)
- Portland Water District, Jeff Nixon Training Center (2009)
- Steve Butler, Brewer Water Pollution Control Facility (2008)
- Anthony Gordon (2007)
- Stephen Broadbent, Wright Pierce Engineers (2006)
- Jane Carroll & Karen Tangeman, Augusta Sanitary District (2005)
- Janet Abrahamson (2004)
- Edwin Mooney, Augusta Sanitary District (2003)
- Tina Darrell (2002)
- Brewer Water Pollution Control Facility (2001)
- Kirk J. Laflin, National Partnership for Environmental Technology (2000)
- Jerome “Frenchy” Guevremont, Chick Hill WPCF (1999)
- Steve McLaughlin, Maine DEP (1998)
- Maine Broadcasting Company (1997)
- Wright Pierce Engineers (1996)
- Lewiston Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority (1995)
- Augusta Sanitary District (1994)
- Woodard & Curran, Inc. Engineering, Training and Operations Teams (1993)
- Gilles St. Pierre, Presque Isle Sewer District (1992)
- Bangor Water Pollution Control Facility (1991)
- Mark S. Lorello, City of South Portland WPCF, Collection Systems (1990)
Hanson Excellence in Management Award
The Hanson Excellence in Management Award was created in recognition of Leeann Hanson’s three decades of service to Maine’s water and wastewater industries through her role at NEIWPCC. One of Hanson’s significant contributions was the development and growth of the JETCC Management Candidate School (MCS). The MCS provides a critical training opportunity for those in a management role or who aspire to work in management.
Nominations for the 2026 Award are now closed.
2026 Award Recipient
Peter Conroy, Wastewater Operations Manager, Town of Kennebunkport
This year’s award goes to a manager who has made his mark in his community in just two years. This manager has demonstrated care and trust for his employees, encouraging employees to learn and grow, including coming up with sample questions when team members are studying for exams. They lead with consistency and integrity, viewing no job as too small. When the facility went without janitorial service for a period of time, this manager stepped in and cleaned with the rest of the team. Among their many major accomplishments, standouts include realignment of the sewer billing cycle to match the Town’s budget cycle, developing and deploying a new Fats, Oils, and Grease program, and, in the words of the staff, rebuilt and strengthened the entire Wastewater Operations team.
This year’s Hanson Excellence in Management Award recipient is Peter Conroy, Wastewater Operations Manager for the Town of Kennebunkport.
Eligibility
This award is intended to recognize a manager in the water and wastewater field who demonstrates commitment to their employees, their facility, and the clean water community. Nominations are evaluated by the JETCC committee based on the merits of the nominee and the testimony of the person who has nominated them.
Past Recipients
- Jonathan McCabe, Freeport Sewer District (2025)
- Robert Lento, Mars Hill Utilities (2024)
- Lucien “Lou” Colburn, Brewer Water Pollution Control Facility (2023)
- Jane Carroll, Greater Augusta Utility District (2022)
JETCC Past Service Award
The JETCC Past Service Award is provided to former members of the committee in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the organization.
2026 Award Recipient
Yarissa Ortiz-Vidal, Assistant Director, Rockland Pollution Control Department
Our past service award this year goes to an individual who served with JETCC for two terms, beginning in 2020, serving in both the At-Large and MEWEA Municipal/District representative seats. They helped the Committee navigate significant challenges and changes during this time, helping steer JETCC through both COVID-19 and the Sludge Crisis. Most recently, they served as the JETCC Chair from 2024 to spring of 2026.
This year’s JETCC Past Service Award recipient is Yarissa Ortiz-Vidal, Environmental Compliance Manager and Assistant Director of Rockland Pollution Control Department.
Eligibility
Award recipient must have served on the JETCC Committee.
Past Recipients
- Jonathan Helstrom, Caribou Utilities District (2025)