Hall of fame
Entering the Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed upon a WQA member. This award recognizes a lifetime of dedication and service to the water quality improvement industry and the association.
DJ Shannahan MWS, CI, CCO
Sharp Water Culligan
DJ Shannahan began his career in the water treatment industry in 1990 and today is owner and operator of four Culligan dealerships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. He served on the WQA Board of Directors for two consecutive terms and co-chaired the WQA Onsite Issues Task Force for nine years. His work was instrumental in bringing about the Environmental Impacts Study on Water Softener Effects on Septic System Performance at Virginia Tech. Shannahan earned the WQA Regents Award in 2008 and the WQA Key Award in 2013. A past president of WQA (2020-2021), he holds multiple water treatment certifications and licenses, including Master Water Specialist, Certified Installer, and Certified Contractual Operator.
lifetime member
Given to those individuals who have rendered exemplary service to the association and whose knowledge and accomplishments in the field of water quality entitle them to special recognition.
Bob Boerner
Culligan Southwest
Bob Boerner is President of Culligan Southwest, serving San Antonio, Midland-Odessa, and the Texas Hill Country. Involved in the water treatment industry since 1977, he has served as President of the Texas Water Quality Association and has been active in WQA for many years. Boerner has held leadership roles on multiple WQA committees, including as co-chair of the Onsite (Septic) Issues Committee and chair of the Government Affairs State & Regional Committee.
Key Award
Like receiving the key to a city, this award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the highest qualities of leadership within their company, industry, and various associations, as well as in local civic and community activities.
Greg Reyneke, MWS
Red Fox Advisors
With three decades of experience in managing and growing water treatment dealerships, Greg Reyneke is a recognized expert in residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment. He has been active in the WQA for more than two decades, serving on numerous committees, and is a past president of the Pacific Water Quality Association. A previous recipient of the Ray Cross and Regents Awards, Reyneke travels globally to advance water quality solutions.
Regents Award
Presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution at the state or local level in areas affecting the industry such as ethics, legislation, or educational efforts.
Ken Steitz
EcoWater of Central California
Ken Steitz is the President of EcoWater of Central California and a past President of the Pacific Water Quality Association. He holds a C-55 Contractors License in California. He has served on various WQA committees, including as vice chair of the Events Committee. In 2021, Steitz joined the WQA Board of Directors to fill a mid-term vacancy and continues to contribute significantly to the industry.
Ray Cross Award
In honor of Ray E. Cross, Water Specialist Emeritus and Past President of WCAI 1960, this special award recognizes a current or former WQA member whose pioneer spirit and unwavering commitment has made a notable difference in the water treatment industry and has not been previously honored with the Hall of Fame or Lifetime Member Award.
Sean Caughron
Elbi of America
Sean Caughron entered the water industry in the late 90s through his family’s third-generation business. He held various roles at Chester Paul Company before becoming CEO until its acquisition by Elbi of America in 2022. Now leading business development at Elbi, he also mentors young business owners, chairs the WQA Manufacturer Supplier Section, is a competitive triathlete and values time with his family.
Award of Merit
This award recognizes exceptional service given to the water quality improvement industry.
Marianne R. Metzger
ResinTech Inc.
Marianne R. Metzger has spent much of her career working in laboratory services, now leading ResinTech Inc.’s new lab services division. She has presented at multiple water quality conferences and authored several trade publications. Metzer is the Executive Director of the Eastern Water Quality Association, where she works to expand membership through education.
International Award of Merit
Recognizing exceptional service given to the water quality improvement industry internationally.
Shelley Peters, CWT
Canadian Water Quality Association
Shelley Peters has been involved in the Canadian water industry for more than 35 years and is the Executive Director of the Canadian Water Quality Association (CWQA). She holds a Certified Water Technician credential from CWQA and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) certificate. Peters focuses on improving awareness and education within Canada’s water industry and volunteers with multiple WQA committees.
Honorary Member Award
Given to an individual whose contributions to mankind, through research, education, or exemplary service related to water quality, are meritorious.
Mark Campbell
Primo Brands (Retired)
Mark Anthony Campbell is a retired executive from Primo Brands, where he held multiple leadership roles. With prior experience at Kellogg, Keebler, and PepsiCo – Frito-Lay, Campbell has been actively involved in the industry through the National Automatic Merchandising Association, the International Bottled Water Association, and the Water Quality Association. He served on the WQA Board of Directors & Board of Governors and contributed to numerous committees and task forces.
Next Gen Award
This award is presented to individuals at or under 40 years of age who have demonstrated a commitment to the betterment of the water treatment industry.
Katie Camille Friedman, PhD
Clorox
Katie Camille Friedman is a Senior Scientist at Clorox, where she leads product development for Brita and serves as the technical lead for Brita’s Community Water Systems team focused on LCRI support. With more than 15 years of research experience in water filtration in the U.S. and abroad, she is passionate about ensuring safe water access. Friedman holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University.
Anthony Karas
Austin, Houston, and San Antonio Water Solutions
Anthony Karas is the Owner and President of Austin, Houston, and San Antonio Water Solutions. A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, he has been serving the water industry for more than 15 years. He holds a Class III Water Treatment Specialist license in Texas and actively participates in WQA advocacy efforts, serving on multiple committees and as a board member of the Texas Water Quality Association.
Miles Menyhert
Jacobi Carbons
Miles Menyhert is a Liquid Phase Applications Engineer in the Americas group of Jacobi Carbons. Over the past three years, he has focused on emerging contaminants for home water filter markets and municipal drinking water applications. Menyhert holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.
Tedd Schneidewend
Culligan International
Tedd Schneidewend is the Senior Engineering Manager in Product Development at Culligan International. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an MBA from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). His WQA contributions include serving on multiple committees and advisory boards.