WEF Honors Brown & Caldwell Employees

Brown and Caldwell’s Perry Schafer has been chosen for the prestigious 2013 Water Environment Federation (WEF) Fellows Program, which recognizes the professional achievement, stature and contributions to the preservation and enhancement of the global water environment.

Schafer has managed or directed scores of wastewater sludge and biosolids management studies, engineering designs and technical reviews for agencies across the United States, Canada and Australia.

Currently, Schafer is leading the development of DC Water’s $470 million Biosolids Management Program, which has been touted as one of the most innovative solids processing systems. This program involves the first use of thermal hydrolysis in North America and the largest application to date in the world.

“I consider Perry to be the world's leading expert in advanced anaerobic digestion technology,” said Walter Bailey, DC Water's assistant general manager.

Selection committee recommendations for WEF Fellows are approved by the Board of Trustees. Schafer is one of 15 fellows approved for 2013.

Additionally, Joan Fernandez, senior engineer for Brown and Caldwell, has been chosen as WEF’s 2013 Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional. The award recognizes professionals under the age of 35 who have made significant contributions to the Water Environment Federation and to the wastewater collection and treatment industry.

Fernandez has nine years of experience with municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems, and her expertise includes the design, permitting and inspection of sewer and water distribution pipes. Clients in the Chesapeake Bay area also benefit from Joan’s consulting services in the areas of stormwater facilities design and MS4 permitting.

WEF cited Joan’s outstanding leadership and commitment to her local Chesapeake Water Environment Association chapter as a differentiator for her selection. She serves as co-chair of the Spring Meeting Committee and is co-editor of CWEA’s quarterly magazine, Ecoletter. Joan is also on the planning committee for WEF’s upcoming 2014 Collection System Specialty Conference and plans to be Chair of CWEA’s Collection Systems Committee in 2015.

“I love giving back to our professional community, and my goal is to become President of CWEA in the near future,” Joan said. “It is truly an honor to be recognized by WEF, and I’m looking forward to receiving the award at WEFTEC.”

Joan earned a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Florida International University.

Joan will accept her award at the WEFTEC 2013 Celebration of Excellence Reception and Ceremony on Oct. 8 in Chicago.

Source: Brown and Caldwell