IA Awards Program
Industry Achievement Award
Established in 1966, the Industry Achievement Award recognizes someone whose career demonstrates outstanding contributions to the advancement of the irrigation industry, products, practices, education, research or professionalism.
2010
Wendell Dorsett (agriculture)
Valmont Industries, retired
Dorsett spent 52 years as an irrigation industry innovator and educator. He holds five patents. In 35 years at Valmont, he focused on irrigation efficiency, effectiveness and uniformity. An active IA volunteer, he served on the Certification Board, Wastewater Resources Committee, and Chemigation and Center Pivot Common Interest Groups. He also helped develop IA’s Center Pivot Design Manual and taught IA’s Center Pivot Design class.
Richard Hunter (turf/landscape)
Hunter Industries
In 1981, Dick Hunter joined with his father, brother and sister to build Hunter Industries from the ground up. As president and CEO of Hunter Industries since 1994, Hunter has increased the organization’s annual revenue to more than $200 million, with sales in over 80 countries. Focusing on product development and strategic acquisitions, Hunter has expanded the company’s portfolio, which now features 250 patents and 40 trademarks. Hunter is also a past president of the Irrigation Association and a recipient of the American Society of Irrigation Consultants’ Roy Williams Memorial Award.
2009
Bob Dobson
Middletown Sprinkler Company
2008
Charles Meis
Lindsay Corporation
2007
Gershon Eckstein
Drip Irrigation Systems Ltd.
2007
Fred Hamisch
Hydratec
2006
Les Jochens
Western Irrigation Supply House, Inc.
2005
James M. Barrett
James Barrett Associates, Inc.
2004
William R. Pogue
Irrometer Co., Inc.
2003
Bob Rupar
Nelson Irrigation Corporation
2002
Anthony LaFetra
Rain Bird Corporation
2001
Ed Shoemaker
Rain Bird Corporation
2000
Thomas W. Crockett
Tom Crockett Irrigation
1999
James Roberts
Roberts Irrigation
1998
Fred Kruse
Kifco, Inc.
1997
Larry Meyer
Nelson Irrigation Corporation
1996
Lon Schultz
Agricultural Products, Inc.
1996
Don Olson
Olson Irrigation Systems
1995
John Chapman
Valmont Industries
1994
Andrew & Mark Healy
Senninger Irrigation
1993
Richard Chapin
Chapin Watermatics
1992
Richard Reinke
Reinke Manufacturing Company
1992
Leroy Thom
T-L Irrigation Company
1991
Phil Tropeano
Larchmont Engineering & Irrigation
1990
Frank W. Murphy
Frank W. Murphy Manufacturing
1989
Robert Morgan
IA Historian
1988
Bart Nelson
Nelson Irrigation Corporation
1987
Robert B. Daugherty
Valmont Industries
1986
Clinton C. Warren
Cornell Pump Company
1985
Edwin J. Hunter
Hunter Industries, Inc.
1984
Arthur Jensen
Thunderbird Irrigation
1983
Mary E. LaFetra
Rain Bird Sales, Inc.
1982
Clemens W. Laufenberg
Berkeley Pump Company
1981
Herrick Waterman
Waterman Industries, Inc.
1980
John E. Schrunk
Schrunk’s Agricultural Service
1979
Wade Newbegin, Sr.
R.W. Wade & Company
1978
Marion Miller
Marion Miller & Associates, Inc.
1977
Charles Lake
Rain for Rent
1976
Keith Holman
ASC Tubing Division, Inc.
1973
Frank Zybach
Valley Manufacturing Company
1971
Birger Enstron
McDowell Manufacturing Company
1970
A.R.J. Friedmann
The Skinner Irrigation Company
1969
Alfred S. Gray
Rain Bird Sprinkler Manufacturing
1968
Crawford W. Reid
Rain Bird Sprinkler Manufacturing
1967
William H. Stout
Stout Engineering Company
1966
Sam V. Gunnison
W.R. Ames Company