August 22, 2011
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Tom Johnson

Tom Johnson

University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health alumnus Tom Johnson, MSEE, a water/wastewater technologist, has been selected by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Board of Trustees as the 2011 recipient of the Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award.

Johnson, who works in the Charlotte, N.C., office of CH2M HILL, a global water consulting and design firm, has been invited to attend WEFTEC 2011 in Los Angeles, Calif., in October to receive the award and formal recognition of his accomplishments.

Johnson has project experience in wastewater process analysis, modeling, water/wastewater process design, wastewater collection and conveyance and water distribution. His project work with CH2M HILL has focused on wastewater process, optimization, sustainability and energy efficiency for wastewater utilities in the eastern United States.

Johnson received a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering with a concentration in wastewater treatment from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Vermont. Prior to joining CH2M HILL in 2005, Johnson worked for Metcalf and Eddy (now AECOM) and Dufresne-Henry (now Santec). In addition to WEF, Johnson is an active member of the American Water Works Association and acted as a North Carolina Biological Wastewater Operations School Grade II/Grade III Activated Sludge teacher from 2008-2010.

“I am very proud of the recognition that Tom has received from a leading professional organization in the field of environmental engineering,” said Francis DiGiano, PhD, professor emeritus of environmental sciences and engineering and Johnson’s former advisor. “After first meeting Tom, I knew that his practical engineering background before returning to school for the MSEE degree was perfect to undertake field research at the Carthage [North Carolina] Water Treatment Plant. Consistent with his dedication to environmental engineering practice, Tom conducted his work to be useful to state regulators in North Carolina.”

WEF’s Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award is given to an individual under age 35 who is an active member of the federation, enhancing its activities, and who contributes to the fundamental knowledge of performance of wastewater collection and treatment systems, water resource protection and research on issues important to the water environment.

Johnson is an active member of WEF, serving as: Vice Chair of the National Professional Development Committee; member of the National Students and Young Professionals Committee; member of the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Design Committee; member of the N.C. Students and Young Professionals Committee; and member of the N.C. Public Education Committee. He has also been a key team member as project engineer in the development of an online tool for WEF members created by the Water Environment Research Foundation. The online tool known as the “Carbon Heat and Energy Assessment Plant Evaluation Tool” (CHEApet) will allow utilities to holistically determine and manage facilities’ energy efficiency and carbon footprint.

“I could not be more honored to receive this award,” says Johnson. “I truly enjoy the work I do with the Water Environment Federation and in the industry and feel privileged to work alongside and learn from experts in the field. It is such a valuable opportunity as a young professional to attend WEFTEC, and I am humbled to be associated with the other WEF award recipients.”

 
 

UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, director of communications, (919) 966-7467 or ramona_dubose@unc.edu. Last updated September 13, 2011

 

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