Mar 30, 2023
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ACUA President Richard Dovey speaks after being honored at AEA's 2023 Spring Utility Management Conference.
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) was recognized at the Association of Environmental Authorities (AEA) of New Jersey during their recent 2023 Spring Utility Management Conference at Caesars Casino & Hotel in Atlantic City.
ACUA President Richard Dovey was honored for his environmental leadership and dedication to the solid waste and wastewater industries after 33 years of service. Dovey will officially retire from the ACUA on July 1, 2023. Industry leaders from New Jersey Authorities, the Board of Public Utilities and Sustainable Jersey contributed to a video that was played at the ceremony thanking Dovey for his many accomplishments and wishing him well in his retirement. Rick is a past recipient of AEA’s prestigious Life Member Award. AEA’s Executive Director Peggy Gallos also presented Dovey with a letter of recognition from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition from the Association of Environmental Authorities,” said President Rick Dovey. “AEA is an incredible resource for Authorities like the ACUA and has provided critical support over the years.”
ACUA also received The Best Management Practices Wave Award for its on-site CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) Training Program. ACUA currently partners with the Atlantic County Workforce Development Office and Mike’s Driving School to provide employees interested in advancing to driver positions with an accessible training opportunity. The program was jumpstarted by Director of Human Resources Sharon Hunt to address the shortage of CDL drivers in the labor market. Since enacting the program in January 2022, ACUA has trained 19 existing employees and has more in progress.
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ACUA Director of Human Resources Sharon Hunt accepts the Best Management Practices Wave Award for the CDL Driver Training Program.
ACUA Vice President of Wastewater Joseph Pantalone was also recognized for his work as the Chair of AEA’s PFAS subcommittee. Pantalone was instrumental in a PFAS sampling plan that can be followed by AEA organizations. PFAS is short for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. These chemicals are typically used to make products waterproof or nonstick and can be found in cookware, clothes and cosmetics and are becoming a growing concern for local utilities as federal testing requirements are changing.
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ACUA Vice President of Wastewater Joseph Pantalone speaks after being recognized for his work as the Chair of AEA’s PFAS subcommittee.
The AEA is a trade association of publicly owned government agencies and private-sector businesses that provide or support clean water and solid waste utility service in New Jersey. The mission of AEA is to provide information, education and advocacy that help member organizations provide professional, efficient and cost-effective service to their ratepayers and to help the public understand and appreciate the work of its members. ACUA is a proud member of AEA.