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.
2012
Ray and Sue York
Ewing Irrigation Products, Phoenix, Ariz.
By pledging fidelity to family and industry
the York’s have exemplified the best of each trait in both their business
success and in their sustained, active leadership in the irrigation community through
the IA. By growing Ewing Irrigation Products, started by Sue’s father, King
Ewing, in 1922, to a leading distributor of landscape and water management
products, the Yorks set a new course for the company.
Three members of their family have served as
president of the Irrigation Association: Ray in 1986, Sue in 1998 and Doug in
2007. Under Ray and Sue’s leadership, Ewing Irrigation Products grew from two
locations in 1968, to 115 locations in 2002, which is also when sons Doug and
Richard were appointed president and vice president, respectively. Today, Ewing
Irrigation Products serves contracting professionals in approximately 200
locations in 21 states.
2011
Rene Evelyn-Veere (landscape)
Rain Bird Corporation
An accomplished engineer, Evelyn-Veere has spent 35 years at Rain Bird, driving development of computer-based controllers and adapting irrigation technologies to better respond to rainfall and weather. Also an accomplished engineer, Sesser has contributed to more than 20 patents at Nelson and is the recipient of several AE50 Awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
George Sesser (agriculture)
Nelson Irrigation
An
accomplished engineer, George Sesser has worked at Nelson Irrigation Corp.
since 1976 and has been a key contributor to the success of Nelson Irrigation’s
product offerings. Sesser has contributed to more than 20 patents at Nelson and
is considered one of the fathers of Rotator® technology for irrigation
sprinklers. His engineering successes, ideas and philosophies have had a major
influence on the irrigation industry. Sesser is also the recipient of several
AE50 awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
2010
Wendell Dorsett (agriculture)
Valmont Industries, retired
Richard Hunter (turf/landscape)
Hunter Industries
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