Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee (JETCC)

Tony Gordon Honored with 2007 Lee Agger Award
By Howard Carter & Leeann Hanson

By 4:00 most participants at the Maine Wastewater Control Association Convention were ready to kick back with a beverage and enjoy the hors d’ oeuvres being passed during the reception at the Sunday River Ski Resort, so it was quite a surprise, especially for the recipient when there was one more award to be presented.

On Thursday, September 20, after 40 years working in the wastewater field, Tony Gordon was presented with JETCC’s Lee Agger Award.

While most in our industry have known Tony for a long time through his various capacities in the Wastewater industry, they may not know that he started working in the wastewater field while he was enlisted in the armed forces. After he was discharged, he worked at various treatment plant locations in southern Maine progressing through the ranks and achieving the title of Superintendent before leaving the municipal sector.

Next, came his true passion, which was teaching. He started out traveling around New England working for the New England Interstate’s original training program to instruct operators and help bring the latest technologies and processes on the road. Later he was asked to become the instructor for the Pollution Abatement Program at what is now known as Southern Maine Community College. It is there that he really left his mark on the industry. He instructed and helped mold many of the operators that are working at plants throughout Maine and New England today.

Never one to stand idly on the sidelines he has always been involved with the wastewater associations on both the local and regional level. His input and leadership at the Maine Wastewater Control Association has spanned decades and includes such committees as the Collection Systems, Operations Challenge, and the Convention Committee. Even after retirement he is still involved helping out each Maine Wastewater Control Association conference.

The Lee Agger Award, is given annually through the Maine Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee (JETCC). It was created in 1990 in memory of JETCC’s first Training Coordinator who died in 1989 after a prolonged illness. It is often said that Lee Agger’s hard work to establish JETCC was an inspiration to all who worked with her, as she motivated many people to volunteer on behalf of environmental training. Through this award, the JETCC Board recognizes fellow environmental professionals who have shown a similar dedication to JETCC and to environmental training.

The Lee Agger Award It is presented annually at the Maine Wastewater Control Association's Convention. Selection criteria is based on “meritorious support and service to environmental training in the State of Maine by an individual, facility, or organization.”

Nominations are made by the JETCC staff and JETCC Board Members, or they can be solicited from the outside.

JETCC is a non profit training organization that works closely with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to educate and serve Maine’s licensed wastewater treatment plant operators. JETCC is also a Maine based project of the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
 

2006 Lee Agger Award Recipient

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