2025
Gil Dhawan
In recognition of Gil’s contribution to the membrane industry. Following an position as a University Research Engineer starting in 1966, Gil helped develop and commercialize membranes with Dr. Sourirajan while at Eletrohome Ltd. in Canada. He then joined Fluid Systems where he developed markets for new applications around the world. In 1983, he founded Applied Membranes, where he has served as the CEO for the past 41 years providing design, engineering and application development as a membrane and equipment manufacturer. As a pioneer in the field for over the past 50 years, Gil’s dedication to the water industry has helped expand the use of membrane technology worldwide.
Robert Bergman
In recognition of Robert’s contribution to the membrane industry. Starting in 1972, as a Design Engineer for water and wastewater projects, Robert went on to manage the technical activities at the Yuma Desalter before becoming the Engineering Manager at Polymetrics, an early leader in membrane based ultrapure water facilities. In 1984, Robert transitioned to a consulting role as a Project Manager for CH2M Hill where he spent the rest of his membrane industry career, becoming a Vice President and the Global Membrane Technology Leader. Robert’s dedication to the industry as a leading consultant helped advanced the use of membrane technology throughout the world.
Jim Lozier
In recognition of Jim’s contribution to the membrane industry. Starting in 1981 as a Development Desalting Engineer, Jim’s early career was spent at the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory where he contributed to the development t of military reverse osmosis systems. Jim went on to CH2M Hill / Jacobs Engineering where he became one of the industry’s leading consulting engineers. His management of the Luggage Point WWRO system in Australia had a positive impact advancing wastewater reuse. Jim was instrumental in the early acceptance of ultrafiltration membranes and considered a leading authority on membrane-based systems for treating brackish and seawater for a wide range of municipal and industrial applications.
2024
Erik Roesink Ph.D.
In recognition of Erik’s contribution to the membrane filtration industry. Starting in 1985 at X-Flow, a company in the Netherlands, Erik developed a hydrophilic microporous capillary membrane and a unique transversal flow module. As X-Flow’s Managing Director, Erik was integral in the advancement of the XIGA horizontal ultrafiltration membrane concept that was successfully implemented in many facilities throughout Europe and the United States including the PWN Heemskerk UF-RO plant installed in the 1990s. Throughout his career, Erik’s dedication to the industry has been instrumental in the further development that led to the acceptance of the hollow fiber membrane for microfiltration, ultrafiltration and nanofiltration applications around the world.
Pierre Côté Ph.D.
In recognition of Pierre’s contribution to the membrane filtration industry. Starting in 1987, as a student at the Suez Research Centre, Pierre was involved in the early days of hollow fiber membrane technology development. After joining Zenon in 1989, Pierre was the principal developer of the ZeeWeed membrane and pioneered many of the technology’s improvements still in use, including membrane coating and submerged membrane systems. He has continued to develop next generation membrane refinements and other water treatment technologies. Pierre’s dedication to the industry in developing and promoting membrane systems in ultrafiltration applications has helped expand the acceptance and global use of membrane technology.
Andrew Benedek Ph.D.
In recognition of Andrew’s contribution to the membrane filtration industry. Following a professorship at McMaster University, Andrew founded Zenon Environmental and remained its CEO for 26 years. Zenon focused on developing innovative, cost-effective membrane technologies for potable water and reuse applications. Andrew was a true membrane pioneer, and under his leadership, Zenon developed many of the ultrafiltration technologies in use today. After Zenon’s acquisition, Andrew went on to tackle other important challenges, such as the generation of biogas from organic waste, and the development of a new MBR product. Andrew’s dedication to the water industry has helped expand the global acceptance of membrane technology.
Douglas Eisberg
In recognition of Doug’s contribution to the membrane industry. Starting in 1983, Doug joined Advanced Structures, where he worked with Peter Darby in the early days of FRP pressure vessel development. He later founded and managed Protec, one of the leading pressure vessel suppliers. Doug has been a dedicated AMTA Board Director for the past 24 years where he has has led the Historian Committee and the Chats with Pioneers interview program. As a member of AMTA’s RO safety guideline committee, he has also tirelessly promoted pressure vessel and membrane plant safety.
2023
Warren Johnson
Bruce Biltoft
Presented to Warren Johnson and Bruce Biltoft in recognition of pioneering and/or lifetime contribution by an individual to water supply or water reuse improvements.
Warren Johnson
In recognition of Warren’s contribution to the membrane filtration industry. Starting in 1988 as a water chemist at Memcor’s parent company in Australia, Memtec Ltd, Warren was involved in the early days of hollow fiber membrane filtration for use in drinking water systems and wastewater reuse. Throughout his early years, Warren was involved in developing the membrane integrity standards still used today. As Director of Product Development, he was instrumental in developing new markets for hollow fiber filtration technology, before becoming the Global R&D Director for Memcor. Warren’s dedication to the industry to develop and promote hollow fiber membrane systems for microfiltration and ultrafiltration helped expand the acceptance and use of this technology around the world.
Bruce Biltoft
In recognition of Bruce’s contribution to the membrane filtration industry. Starting in 1985 at Memcor’s parent company in Australia, Memtec Ltd, as a Project Engineer, Bruce was heavily involved in the early development of hollow fiber membrane filtration. Through 5 significant ownership changes, and an increasing level of responsibility, Bruce was directly involved in the successful equipment development, application, fabrication, sales and business management of membrane filtration throughout his 37 years with the company. Bruce’s dedication to Memcor and the emerging use of hollow fiber for microfiltration and ultrafiltration was instrumental in the acceptance of this technology around the world.
2022
Ashwin M. Desai
Rick Lesan
Peter MacLaggan
2020/2021
Lynn E. Applegate, PhD, DuPont Company
Donald Hoyt Doud, DuPont, Permasep Division
Theodore J. Larson, General Atomic Company
Craig Netwig, King Lee Technologies
2019
Patricia Burke, Global Desalination Advocate
Kenkere Channabasappa, Membrane Division Chief for the Office of Saline Water
Clarence William “Bill” Saltonstall, Envirogenics
2018
Jim Birkett, ADL & West Neck Strategies Nobleboro, MA
Randy Truby, General Atomic Company, Aqua Media, FEDCO, Hydranautics/Nitto & Toray, and RL Truby Associates, Escondido, CA
Clinton V. Kopp, Northstar Research, Travenol Labs, Memtec Ltd. & Osmonics, Minnetonka, MN
2017
Bill Andrews, Polymetrics / DesalCo / Dweer, Bermuda
Charlie Hull, Separation Engineering, California
Srinivasa Sourirajan, UCLA Los Angeles, Ottawa, Canada
Mike Stefanic, Aqua Media, Fluid Systems / Toray Membranes, Inc., California
2016
Paul L. Culler, Basic Technologies, Florida
Jaren F. Leet, Aqua Media, California
Dean Spatz, Osmonics, Inc., Wyoming
2015
Dave Grunau, Polymetrics/Aqua Design, California
Bill Katz, Massachusetts
Melvin Lew, The US Office of Saline Water, Virginia
Frank Leitz, The Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado
2014
Gene Erickson, Northstar Research / FilmTec, Minnesota
Roy Larson, Northstar Research / FilmTec, Alabama
Bob Petersen, Northstar Research / FilmTec, Minnesota
2013
Ben Mohlenhoff, Aerex Industries, Inc., Florida
Hany Said, Pacific Aqua, California
2012
Stuart A. McClellan, S.A.McClellan, Inc., Florida
2010
John W. Arnold, Ph.D, Desalcott, North Carolina
Professor James S. Taylor, Ph.D., P.E., University of Central Florida,Civil and Environmental Engineering Institute, Florida
2009
David Furukawa, P.E., Separation Consultants, Inc., California
Professor Julius “Bud” Glater, Ph.D, University of California, Los Angeles, Engineering Dept., California
2008
Donald T. Bray, Nimbus Water Systems, California
Professor Sidney Loeb, Ph.D., Israel
Seymour S. Kremen, Ph.D., J.D., Presented posthumously
2007
C. Peter Darby, California
John E. Cadotte, The Dow Chemical Co./FilmTec Corp., Florida
John E. Potts, Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., Florida
2006
Richard G. Sudak, Separation Proccesses, Inc., California
Robert L. Riley, Separation Systems Technology, Inc., California
2004
Ian C. Watson, RosTeK Associates, Inc., Florida
2002
Irving Moch, Jr., I. Moch & Associates, Inc., Delaware
2000
Ed Geishecker, Ionics, Inc., Massachusetts
Lou Beck, Department of Water Resources, California
1998
Neil Cline, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, California
Robert Carnahan, University of South Florida, Florida
1996
Floyd Meller, Meller Associates, Massachusetts
Gordon F. Leitner, Leitner & Associates, Wisconsin
Richard A. Smith, Water Desalination Report, Maryland
1995
Walter L. Barnes, Desalting Consultant, North Carolina
1994
Bea Jorgensen, 1985-93 NWSIA Executive Staff, Maryland
Jack Jorgensen, 1985-93 NWSIA Executive Director, Maryland
Langdon W. Owen, 1972 NWSIA Co-Founder, California
William E. Warne, 1972 NWSIA Co-Founder, California