11/17/2022

Awards Presented at the 2022 WJTA Conference & Expo

Congratulations to the recipients of WJTA’s distinguished awards. On November 2, 2022, a large crowd gathered for the presentation of WJTA’s 2021 and 2022 awards honoring a stellar group of individuals for outstanding achievements.

With the cancellation of the 2021 WJTA Conference & Expo, the association’s awards presentation was postponed to the 2022 event.

View Photos of the Awards Ceremony

WJTA Award Categories

WJTA's highest honor, the Pioneer Award, is presented to honorees in recognition of their contributions to the waterjet industry and to the achievement of the goals of the WJTA, their high moral character and strong personal and business ethics, and dedication to the future of the waterjet industry and to the growth of WJTA.

The WJTA Service Award honors individuals or organizations who have contributed in time and talent toward improvement in the industry or in the WJTA.

The WJTA Technology Award honors individuals or organizations who have introduced new and innovative ideas in engineering or manufacturing.

The WJTA Safety Award honors individuals or organizations who have introduced new and innovative ideas to safety in our industry.

2021 Awards

The 2021 Pioneer Award was presented to Hans Borgt of The Dow Chemical Company in recognition of his far-reaching impact on the adoption of safe practices and progressive cleaning techniques for hydroblasting across industrial facilities worldwide.

The 2021 Service Award was presented to Mikaela Larkin of StoneAge, Inc., in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the development of the WJTA Hydroblaster Training and Certification program.

The 2021 Technology Award was presented to Paul L. Miller of Gradient Technology in recognition of his work on fluid jet applications, particularly the technology to apply abrasive waterjet cutting to ordnance disposal and international weapons demilitarization

The 2021 Safety Award was presented to Doug McGee of StoneAge, Inc., in recognition of his contributions to WJTA best practices and hydroblast training curricula.

2022 Awards

The 2022 Pioneer Award was presented to Monte Black of MPW Industrial Services in recognition of his entrepreneurship, philanthropy and contributions towards industrial cleaning safety and technology.

The 2022 Service Award was presented to Lawrence Bay of Klenco (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. in recognition of his contributions to the development of waterjet and industrial cleaning application and safety in Southeast and East Asia.

The 2022 Technology Award was presented to Doug Wright of StoneAge, Inc. (retired) in recognition of his contributions to waterjet nozzle and tooling design, as well as his contributions to WJTA technical and safety material.

The 2022 Safety Award was presented to Rick Pitman of Evergreen North America in recognition of his contributions to hydroblasting safety, in particular hose safety and WJTA best practices and hydroblast training curricula.

2021 and 2022 Awards

WJTA President Jimmy Peck kicks off the Awards Ceremony

Hans Borgt - Pioneer Award — Hans Borgt is presented the 2021 Pioneer Award by Kerry Siggins and Jimmy Peck

Mikaela Larkin - Service Award — Mikaela Larkin is presented the 2021 Service Award by Kerry Siggins

Paul Miller - Technology Award — Paul Miller is presented the 2021 Technology Award by Jimmy Peck and Steve Schmit

Monte Black - Pioneer Award — Monte Black is presented the 2022 Pioneer Award by Drew Waltenbaugh and Jimmy Peck

Lawrence Bay - Service Award — Drew Waltenbaugh accepts the 2022 Service Award on behalf of Lawrence Bay

Doug Wright - Technology Award — Kerry Siggins accepts the 2022 Technology Award on behalf of Doug Wright

Rick Pitman - Safety Award — Rick Pitman is presented the 2022 Safety Award by Bill McClister and Jimmy Peck

2021 and 2022 Awards — 2021 and 2022 awards were presented in conjunction with the WJTA Conference & Expo

Awards were designed and fabricated by A.M. Gatti