After months of rescheduling because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Mayor of the City of Pendleton, the Public Works Director, and the Oregon Region surprised Jeff Brown with the Oregon Region’s Excellence in Service Award. This is awarded to honor those who have given truly outstanding service in one or more of the following aspects of the water quality industry; providing leadership in the Section, Region, or Member Association, delivering conference teaching and operator training, including the development of training courses that advance the knowledge of water quality operators.

Jeff has served in the following leadership capacities:

• President of the Eastern Oregon Operators Section
• Director for the Oregon Region of the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association
• Board of Directors for the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association
• Eastern Oregon Operators Conference Committee for many years.

When talking to section members about Jeff, no one seems to remember how long he has been actively involved with the Eastern Oregon section, but the best guess is somewhere around 25 years. Most of his colleagues in the local section say he is passionate about quality training, education of operators, and creating lasting friendships.