The National Association of Water Companies, Pennsylvania Chapter Tuesday recognized Erik A. Ross with its James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence.

The organization honored Ross during its awards luncheon at the NAWC Annual Meeting in the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg.

The James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence is the highest honor bestowed by NAWC. The industry association presents the award each year to a resident of Pennsylvania who most exemplifies dedication to promoting the availability of safe drinking water in the Commonwealth.

“The water industry and all Pennsylvanians owe a debt of gratitude to Erik Ross for his years of dedicated public service and advocacy for policies promoting safe and reliable water and wastewater service that is sustainable for the Commonwealth,” said NAWC Pennsylvania Chapter Chairman JT Hand.

For over 25 years, Ross has worked tirelessly across legislative boundaries to foster partnerships, draft legislation and liaise between a diverse and varied constituency to improve water quality across the Commonwealth. 

Ross began his career as an Executive Assistant to the State Senate Majority Whip Mike Fisher before transitioning to the private sector where he built a government relations practice around the state’s water and wastewater industry.  Currently, Ross serves as a Senior Lobbyist at Gmerek Government Relations, Inc.

The Annual Award for Excellence was named for the late James McGirr Kelly, Senior United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Judge Kelly was a former member of the Public Utility Commission and former vice president of American Water Works Service Company, Inc.  He was the first recipient of the award in 1983.

Past award winners include: 2012 former DEP Executive Secretary John Hines, 2011 John Hanger, DEP Secretary, 2010 former PUC Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli, 2009 Rep. Bud George, 2008 Rick Rogers, U.S. EPA Region 3, 2007 Paul K. Marchetti, 2005 Rep. Carole Rubley, 2004 Terrance J. Fitzpatrick, former Chair PUC, 2003 Fredrick A. Marrocco, DEP, 2002 David E. Hess, DEP Secretary, 2001 John M. Quain, former Chair PUC, 2000 Sen. Raphael J. Musto, 1999 Walter A. Lyon, 1998 Michael D. Klein, 1997 David A. Long, PhD, 1996 Gov. Tom Ridge, 1995 Sen. David J. Brightbill, 1994 Wendell F. Holland, 1993 William R. Shane, 1992 William R. Lloyd, 1991 Edith D. Stevens, 1990 Dr. Ruth Patrick, 1989 Gov. Robert P. Casey, 1988 Sen. D. Michael Fisher, 1987 George I. Bloom, 1986 Clifford L. Jones, DER Secretary, 1985 Dr. Maurice K. Goddard, DER Secretary, and in 1984 Gov. Dick Thornburgh.

The NAWC Annual Meeting also featured presentations by Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman Rob Powelson; Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary for Field Operations Dana Aunkst; Kleinschmidt Senior Fisheries Scientist Brandon Kulik; and Cozen O’Connor Member Ahren Scott Tryon, Esq. 

5/13/2013