HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 MWOA Awards
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Katherine Lofrano, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minnesota Wastewater Operators Association Presents ‘Operator
of the Year Award to City Employee
Edina, Minn., Aug. 5, 2013 – The Minnesota Wastewater Operators Association (MWOA) recently
awarded “Operator of the Year” awards at its annual meeting in Grand Rapids. The 2013 winner of the
Collection System Operator Class SB award was Nate Behlen of the City of Edina’s Public Works
Department.
Winners of awards meet criteria of excellence in job performance, accomplishments, awards, education and
training undertaken to further their performance, professional, community and civic activities and involvement
in the advancement of the MWOA.
The MWOA is divided into six sections within Minnesota. The first step in the awards process is for each
section to select candidates for awards from within their membership. The winners from each section then
enter statewide competition. Behlen was nominated in the “Metro/Suburban” section. Each candidate submits
an application packet, which is distributed to representatives from each section. Awards are then voted on,
and the winners are announced at the Annual Meeting in July.
Behlen works for the Utilities Division of Public Works as a Public Service Worker. He is responsible for
performing a variety of scheduled preventive maintenance tasks, troubleshooting and repairing water, sewer
and storm water systems.
Public Works Coordinator Dave Goergen said, “Not only has Nate delivered excellent performance on his
work assignments, but he has also shown that same dedication to high quality in his continuing education and
professional licensure pursuits.”
Goergen said the award is an honor, explaining, “There are over 50 municipalities and agencies that fall into
the Class SB range (cities with a population of 15,000-50,000), and thousands of operators, so to be singled
out by his peers is a great honor. We are very proud of Nate’s efforts and he is clearly deserving of this
award.”
Behlen was nominated for this award by co-worker Travis Iverson. Behlen is honored to have received this
award but insists, “Everyone in our department is equally deserving of this award. I was fortunate to be
nominated and feel lucky that I was chosen.”
For more information, on MWOA or its awards, visit www.mwoa.net. For more information about the City
of Edina Public Works Department, call 952-826-0367 or visit www.EdinaMN.gov/PublicWorks.
Other 2013 MOWA award winners include, Butch Hybbert, Fairmont, Class A; Tanya Schmidt, Cold Spring,
Class B; Wayne Getz, Altura, Class C; Peter Exley, Mces, Class SA; Nate Behlen, Edina, Class SB; Ryan Lee,
Mces, Class SC; Matt Chumley, Burnsville, Class SD; Renee Oelrich, Lesueur, Laboratory; Jerry Neabour,
Bloomington, Maintenance and Andrew Bartkowicz, Grey Eagle, Rookie.