The Water Quality Association annually recognizes individuals and companies who have excelled in their commitment or service to the water quality improvement industry.
Any WQA member is eligible for the Leadership awards with a required minimum commitment or service to the water quality industry evidenced by engagement with WQA, a state or regional WQA, or other industry association. In addition to that, each award has requirements described on the individual awards pages: Hall of Fame Award, Lifetime Membership Award, Key Award, Ray Cross Award, Regents Award, Award of Merit, International Award of Merit, Next Gen Award, or Honorary Membership Award.
Nominations are evaluated against each individual award criteria by the Nominating Committee, and recommended award recipients are reviewed and approved by the WQA Board of Governors and announced at the following year’s WQA Convention & Exposition.
The WQA Excellence Award honors member companies for demonstrating a commitment to improving the lives of others through the betterment of water quality. The award highlights the outstanding accomplishments these member companies have made to the water treatment industry and the communities in which they operate. Unlike WQA’s other awards, this honor goes to an entire company, not to an individual. The Excellence Award can be presented in two categories: Manufacturer/Supplier/Retailer and Dealer.
Please note that not all awards are necessarily given each year.
2025 Honorees
Hall of Fame
DJ Shannahan MWS, CI, CCO
Sharp Water Culligan
DJ Shannahan began his career in the water treatment industry in 1990 and today is owner and operator of four Culligan dealerships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. He served on the WQA Board of Directors for two consecutive terms and co-chaired the WQA Onsite Issues Task Force for nine years. His work was instrumental in bringing about the Environmental Impacts Study on Water Softener Effects on Septic System Performance at Virginia Tech. Shannahan earned the WQA Regents Award in 2008 and the WQA Key Award in 2013. A past president of WQA (2020-2021), he holds multiple water treatment certifications and licenses, including Master Water Specialist, Certified Installer, and Certified Contractual Operator.
Lifetime Membership
Bob Boerner
Culligan Southwest
Bob Boerner is President of Culligan Southwest, serving San Antonio, Midland-Odessa, and the Texas Hill Country. Involved in the water treatment industry since 1977, he has served as President of the Texas Water Quality Association and has been active in WQA for many years. Boerner has held leadership roles on multiple WQA committees, including as co-chair of the Onsite (Septic) Issues Committee and chair of the Government Affairs State & Regional Committee.
Key Award
Greg Reyneke,MWS
Red Fox Advisors
With three decades of experience in managing and growing water treatment dealerships, Greg Reyneke is a recognized expert in residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment. He has been active in the WQA for more than two decades, serving on numerous committees, and is a past president of the Pacific Water Quality Association. A previous recipient of the Ray Cross and Regents Awards, Reyneke travels globally to advance water quality solutions.
Ray Cross Award
Sean Caughron
Elbi of America
Sean Caughron entered the water industry in the late 90s through his family’s third-generation business. He held various roles at Chester Paul Company before becoming CEO until its acquisition by Elbi of America in 2022. Now leading business development at Elbi, he also mentors young business owners, chairs the WQA Manufacturer Supplier Section, is a competitive triathlete and values time with his family.
Regents Award
Ken Steitz
EcoWater of Central California
Ken Steitz is the President of EcoWater of Central California and a past President of the Pacific Water Quality Association. He holds a C-55 Contractors License in California. He has served on various WQA committees, including as vice chair of the Events Committee. In 2021, Steitz joined the WQA Board of Directors to fill a mid-term vacancy and continues to contribute significantly to the industry.
Honorary Membership
Mark Campbell
Primo Brands (Retired)
Mark Anthony Campbell is a retired executive from Primo Brands, where he held multiple leadership roles. With prior experience at Kellogg, Keebler, and PepsiCo – Frito-Lay, Campbell has been actively involved in the industry through the National Automatic Merchandising Association, the International Bottled Water Association, and the Water Quality Association. He served on the WQA Board of Directors & Board of Governors and contributed to numerous committees and task forces.
Award of Merit
Marianne R. Metzger
ResinTech Inc.
Marianne R. Metzger has spent much of her career working in laboratory services, now leading ResinTech Inc.’s new lab services division. She has presented at multiple water quality conferences and authored several trade publications. Metzer is the Executive Director of the Eastern Water Quality Association, where she works to expand membership through education.
Next Gen Award
Katie Camille Friedman, PHD
Clorox
Katie Camille Friedman is a Senior Scientist at Clorox, where she leads product development for Brita and serves as the technical lead for Brita’s Community Water Systems team focused on LCRI support. With more than 15 years of research experience in water filtration in the U.S. and abroad, she is passionate about ensuring safe water access. Friedman holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University.
Next Gen Award
Anthony Karas
Austin, Houston, and San Antonio Water Solutions
Anthony Karas is the Owner and President of Austin, Houston, and San Antonio Water Solutions. A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, he has been serving the water industry for more than 15 years. He holds a Class III Water Treatment Specialist license in Texas and actively participates in WQA advocacy efforts, serving on multiple committees and as a board member of the Texas Water Quality Association.
Next Gen Award
Miles Menyhert
Jacobi Carbons
Miles Menyhert is a Liquid Phase Applications Engineer in the Americas group of Jacobi Carbons. Over the past three years, he has focused on emerging contaminants for home water filter markets and municipal drinking water applications. Menyhert holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.
Next Gen Award
Tedd Schneidewend
Culligan International
Tedd Schneidewend is the Senior Engineering Manager in Product Development at Culligan International. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an MBA from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). His WQA contributions include serving on multiple committees and advisory boards.
International Award of Merit
Shelley Peters, CWT
Canadian Water Quality Association
Shelley Peters has been involved in the Canadian water industry for more than 35 years and is the Executive Director of the Canadian Water Quality Association (CWQA). She holds a Certified Water Technician credential from CWQA and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) certificate. Peters focuses on improving awareness and education within Canada’s water industry and volunteers with multiple WQA committees.