Hydraulic Institute Continues Legacy of Recognizing Key Contributors to the Institute through Annual Awards Program
HI Contact:
973.267.9700
membership@pumps.org
Parsippany, NJ, March 15, 2018 – The Hydraulic Institute (HI) 2018 Annual Conference concluded
with the Gala & Awards Dinner, Friday, March 2 at the Wigwam Resort in
Phoenix, Arizona. During the program, HI presented awards for the following
categories:
- Lifetime Achievement
- Member of the Year
- Pump Systems Matter (PSM) Leadership
- Standards Partner of the Year
Lifetime
Achievement – HI recognized and honored Mr. Rich Heppe, retired
President, Industrial Motors & Systems, Nidec Motor Corporation,
as the 2017 HI Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Mr. Heppe has supported the
pump industry as an engineer, marketing leader and President for motor
companies over a career that lasted 45 years. His organization was one of HI’s
first Associate Members and he played an important role as both Vice Chair and
Chair of the Associate Member Council. In addition to his role on many
committees, Mr. Heppe has served on the HI Board of Directors three times.
Member of the Year –Mr. Julian Atchia, Director of Research and Development,
SJE-Rhombus®, has been selected as the 2017 HI Member of
the Year. Julian
distinguishes himself for the level and extent of his involvement thus
advancing the technical work of HI. He has held leadership positions in technical
committees that include:
- Co-Chair – Variable
Speed Pumping Guidebook which published 2017
- Chair – Variable
Frequency Drives: Guidelines for Application, Installation, and Troubleshooting
Guidebook published in 2014
- Chair – Monitoring
Devices & Drivers & Controls Committees
- Past Chair – Associate
Member Council
Pump Systems Matter Leadership – The 2017 PSM Leadership Award was presented to Mr. Jim Swetye, Technical Training Manager,
Grundfos USA. As a founding member of PSM, Jim continues to
bring exceptional, high-quality pump systems education to a wide range of pump
end-users. He was an original committee member of the first Pump Systems Optimization
(PSO) in-person training course. In addition, he served as the first
Chairperson on the Educational Affairs Committee, and also on the committee for
the first PSO Guidebook and, now, on developing the next-generation version of
this popular guide.
Standards Partner of the Year – HI
has recognized Mr. Ernest Sturtz, Pump Systems Specialist, CDM Smith – Water Services, as the 2017 Standards Partner of the Year. Ernest has been an active
participant with the Institute since the late 1990’s participating as a Peer
Reviewer for HI standards prior to his company joining as one of the initial
Standard Partners. He was also instrumental in working with HI to create the
Standards Partner category which allows engineering consulting firms to assist
HI Members in developing standards, guidelines and educational programs. His leadership of technical
committees include:
- Vice-chair – ANSI/HI
9.6.3 Rotodynamic Pumps – Guideline for Operating Regions which published in
2017
- Vice-chair – Pump
Application Guidelines: Wastewater Treatment Plant Pumps
- Current Vice-chair – ANSI/HI
14.4 Rotodynamic Pumps for Installation, Operation & Maintenance standard
HI
congratulates all award recipients on their well-deserved awards. The Institute
would not be in the position it is today without the dedication and commitment
of members and partners.
For high resolution versions of the images found in this release, please
contact Pamela Roccabruna, Director, Marketing, Communications & Events,
Hydraulic Institute, at proccabruna@pumps.org.
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The Hydraulic Institute: Advancing
the pump manufacturing industry by becoming the world’s resource for pumping
solutions by: Addressing Pump Systems, Developing Standards, Expanding
Knowledge and Resources, Educating the Marketplace and Advocating for the
Industry. For more information on the Hydraulic Institute, visit www.Pumps.org.