At its annual event, Groundwater Week, to be held in Las Vegas, NV, December 6-8, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) will honor several members for their contributions to the association as well as the industry. Among those to be honored are representatives of the supplier and manufacturer divisions.
Burnet Chalmers, President of the Milby Co. (Elkridge, MD), is the 2016 recipient of the Association’s Supplier of the Year Award, recognizing volunteerism and leadership in serving the Association and promoting groundwater and groundwater issues to the industry and public. “Burnet’s involvement in the groundwater industry goes well beyond his company’s success,” stated nominator Ryan Arnett, Vice President and General Manager of Austin Pump & Supply Inc.
“He has been actively involved with local and national groundwater organizations for many years and his volunteerism has included lobbying on Capitol Hill as well as helping develop water well standards and best practices. The passion Burnet feels for groundwater goes well beyond our country’s borders. He has contributed to water well projects in Mozambique, Ghana, and Haiti in an effort to provide clean, safe drinking water to people.”
When asked about the one major groundwater-related accomplishment of which he is proudest, Chalmers said it has been his 20-year participation in ‘Hill visits’ in Washington, DC, to keep groundwater and geothermal issues before elected officials and their staffs.
Chuck Mills, President of Mills Machine Co. Inc. (Shawnee, OK), is the 2016 recipient of the Manufacturers Division Special Recognition Award, honoring an individual’s accomplishments in the groundwater manufacturing industry including improvements, education and patents and technology. “Chuck has been instrumental in designing and manufacturing innovative custom drilling tools and bits to increase productivity and efficiency for drillers,” stated nominator John Harris of Mills Machine Co.
Under Mills’ leadership, his business has become a multi-million dollar company that provides a complete line of specialty boring tools and accessories not only in the US, but in an estimated 70 international markets as well. Mills also devotes time to civic, community, and professional organizations such as NGWA, in which he has served on several boards and committees.
When asked about the one major groundwater-related accomplishment of which he is proudest, Mills replied, “I am proud to have had an opportunity to help thousands of drillers worldwide by designing and providing custom solutions to their drilling problems.”