..
'•
-------
Into the 21st Century.,
A new age is just around the corner, and with it comes an unprecedented opportunity to
meet and overcome some of the more vexing environmental challenges of our time.
We face great challenges in the international, national, and regional arenas. One of our
greatest challenges internationally is coming to grips with global warming. Global climate
has been changing and will continue to change. And we better find the answer, because
without strong policies to limit global emission of greenhouse gases, the human race will
be in for some tough times.
At a national level, millions of people still live in cities where it is not healthy to breathe
the air. The big problem is ozone, and many of our older citizens and young children are
especially vulnerable. We must recognize what the automobile contributes to that problem
and then take steps that will maintain our standard of living and improve our quality of life.
In the upper Midwest region, toxicants are threatening our neighborhoods, many
streams, and even the Great Lakes. They contaminate fish and wildlife and endanger
humans. With approaches such as the Great Lakes Virtual Elimination Strategy recently
agreed upon with Canada, we can get this problem under control.
Are we up to the mark? Without a doubt! Year after year. Honor Awards ceremonies
such as this underscore time and again: that here in Region 5 we have been blessed
with the greatest renewable energy resource of all — the creative, all-encompassing,
problem-solving, always-probing, never-tiring efforts of a superb team.
Congratulations to the entire Region 5 staff for another great year and a special pat
on the back to the award winners in our midst. Good health and good luck in the exciting
days ahead.
Valdas V. Ad
istrator
-------
REGION 5
Together, we can solve environmental problems
with communities in common-sense ways
Valdas V. Adamkus, Regional Administrator, Region 5
1997 HONOR AWARDS CEREMONY PROGRAM
The national Anthem
John J. O'Qrady
Welcome and Introduction
Michelle D. Jordan
Regional Administrator
Valdas V. Adamkus
Presentation of Awards
David A. Ullrich
THURSDAY, 1O:OO A.M., APRIL 24, 1997
1ST CHICAGO CENTER AUDITORIUM, 1ST NATIONAL PLAZA
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
-------
SILVER MEDAL
This award is presented for contributions or services of
unusual value beyond that ordinarily required.
HAMMOND SANITARY DISTRICT LITIGATION TEAM
Nicole Cantello
John Dorkin
Howard D. Duckman
James L. Fllippini
Robert S. Guenther
Douglas P. Lamb
Dana Rzeznik
Carol L. Staniec
Rudolph C. Tanasyevich
Robert L. Thompson
Mildred Vargas
For innovative enforcement efforts and oustanding contributions
in resolving EPA's Clean Water Act case against the industrial defendants
in United States v. Sanitary District of Hammond, et al.
PENNSYLVANIA AIR ENFORCEMENT TEAM
David A. Schulz
Brent Marable
For innovative audit techniques which heightened EPA's awareness
of unreported violations of the Clean Air Act.
-------
NATIONAL AWARDS
PAUL Q. KEOUQH AWARD For Administrative Excellence
Fredie Howard
For exceptional performance in managing and directing activities
of the Financial Services Team in the absence of an
official team leader and materially contributing to automated
and streamlined processes.
SUZANNE E. OLIVE NATIONAL EEO AWARD
Ethel Crisp
Michelle D. Jordan
Robert N. Thayer
For implementing the Academic Relations Summer Intern Program
and promoting workforce diversity and academic
environmental achievement.
-------
BRONZE MEDAL AWARDS
This award is granted for significant acts and achievements which
materially aid or affect the successful accomplishment of
the Agency mission or serve the public interest
ALTGELD GARDENS PCB CLEANUP GROUP
Scott Cooper
Noemi Emeric
Valerie J. Jones
David A. Payne
For working with residents from the low-income, minority
Altgeld Gardens community to resolve the problems caused
by PCB contamination.
ASSISTANCE TO TRIBES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
TRIBAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
David Pfeifer
For assisting Regional Tribes in developing approvable water quality
standards and for fostering a stronger working relationship
between the Tribes and the States.
-------
CHICAGO ILLEGAL DUMPING TEAM
Bradley P. Benning
Bonnie Bush
Louis M. Halkias
Mardi R. Klevs
Paul J. Ruesch
Richard Schleyer
Donna L. Twickler
For developing a multifaceted, multimedia approach to building
the capacity of the City of Chicago's program to
stop illegal dumping.
CHICAGO WILDERNESS PROJECT
Don de Blasio
William D. Franz
Kent B. Fuller
Suzanne Saric
For their efforts on behalf of the Chicago Wilderness Project a partnership
of 34 organizations joining in an effort to protect the
biodiversity of the Chicago area.
-------
CHROMIUM NESHAP (NACT) WORKGROUP
Karen L. Bell
Cynthia C. Curtis
Andre Daugevietis
Newton A. Ellens
Sarah Miller
Bruce A. Varner
For national leadership in the implementation of the regulation
to reduce hazardous air emissions from
chromium electroplaters.
COLUMBUS DIOXIN SOIL SAMPLING GROUP
Carole T. Braverman
Kenneth Brown (ORD-LV)
Shirley Dorsey
Phillip E. Gehring
Lawrence Lehrman
Matthew Lorber (ORD-HQ)
Virginia Narsete
Randall Robinson
Wayne Sovocol (ORD-LV)
Dwain Winters (OPPT)
For advancing and communicating scientific understanding
of dioxin fate and transport in the vicinity of
the Columbus Waste-to-Energy facility.
-------
EASTON ESTATES METHANE EXPLOSION SITE
Ralph H. Dollhopf
George C. Hudak
For exceptional effort in keeping residents well-informed and in working closely
with other agencies while installing an emergency remediation measure
during a severe northern Michigan winter.
ELECTRONIC ACCESS INITIATIVES
Michael H. Bland
Jeff Kelley
Alfred E. Krause
Patricia A. Krause
Pranas E. Pranckevicius
Karen Reshkin
Gregory Zurla
Glynis M. Zywicki
For innovative use of various electronic communication tools, including television
public service announcements and the World Wide Web, to enhance internal and
external communications about EPA's goals and mission.
ELECTRONIC STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
William L. MacDowell
John Mooney
John K. Shirey (OIRM-ESTD, RTF)
John E. Summerhays
Gregory Zurla
For improving the public's access to Federal air-pollution-control regulations
by converting the existing paper system into a format accessible
through the World Wide Web.
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DEMONSTRATION IN ESTONIA
Katberine Adams
William D. Franz
Kent Fuller
For excellence in advancing participatory democracy and the use of the
principles of environmental assessment in the Republic of Estonia.
ENVOTECH PERMIT GROUP
Nicole Cantello
JeffKelley
Allen Melcer
For applying original and creative solutions to difficult legal, technical,
and community-involvement problems to ensure that hazardous-waste injection
permits issued to Envotech exceeded current standards
for environmental protection.
FIELDS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
George D. Graettinger
Janice C. Lin
Matthew Williams
For developing FIELDS, a data assessment tool that will help
Regional staff deal with the complex issues involved in
sediment remediation.
-------
GREAT LAKES RAPIDS INITIATIVE
Suzanne F. King
Barry Manne
George Mbogo
Carlton T. Nash
Pranas E. Pranckevicius
For their work to develop RAPIDS, a database of air-quality information for the
Great Lakes Basin which is vital to meeting the goals of the Clean Air Act and
the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
MERCURY AIR EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS GOAL
Alexis Cain
For outstanding contributions to the national Mercury Reduction Programs.
MIGHTY ACORNS
Michele L. Anthony
Peggy J. Donnelly
William D. Franz
Jeffrey B. Gore
Suzanne Saric
Betty J. White
For involving Region 5 staff in The Mature Conservancy's Mighty Acorns program,
helping hundreds of urban youth develop an understanding and
appreciation of nature.
-------
NL/TARACORP SITE
Sheri L. Bianchin
Brad W. Bradley
Awilda Puentes (OSWER)
Lee Gelman (DOJ)
Jack Grady (DOJ)
Robin Juni (DOJ)
Alan Marcus (ORD-RTP)
Sean Mulroney
Susan Pastor
John Perrecone
Steven Siegel
Patricia A. Van Leeuwen
For their persistence-in the face of litigation, budget problems, and a restraining
order-in pursuing the cleanup of the NL/Taracorp site, ultimately developing
a remediation and litigation strategy that serves as a model for the Agency.
REGION 5 GATEWAY-ENVIROFACTS ROLLOUT TEAM
Barry J. Bolka
Andre T. Cleveland
William W. Damico
Stephen K. Goranson
Noel W. Kohl
Eda Y. Lam
Michael W. Miller
Floyd O'flara
Pranas E. Pranckevicius
Valorie D. Smith
Susan Woestman
For providing Regional staff with the necessary training and equipment to use
the powerful Gateway-Envirofacts environmental database.
-------
REGION 5 NEPPS WORKGROUP
Patricia Bamford
Linda A. Beasley
Judy Beck
Thomas L. Jackson
Tinka G. Hyde
Janet Kasper
Jane Lupton
Mark A. Messersmith
Anna C. Miller
Robert B. Miller
Cheryl L. Newton
Michael M. Russ
Richard Traub
Mary Pat Tyson
Karen D. Yeates
For leadership and innovation in establishing the national Performance
Partnership System in Region 5, which will help the Region and the States work
together more closely in reaching environmental goals.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM
A. James Finn
Steve Gurski
For their success in properly disposing of the more than 60 tons of hazardous
waste that had been stored in the laboratory and other locations in the Region
and in preparing the Region for the week-long health and safety audit
which was passed with flying colors.
-------
ROSS INCINERATION TEAM
Michael J. Galbraith
George J. Hamper
David Mucha
Julianne Socha
For negotiating a precedent-setting consent order, under the "imminent
and substantial endangerment" provisions of RCRA, following an explosion
that caused extensive damage at Ross Incineration.
RUSSIAN WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT TEAM
Timothy C. Henry
Ron Hoffer (HQ)
Dana Rzeznik
For their efforts to demonstrate low-cost waste minimization techniques
to Russian municipal and industrial facilities, leading to improved
wastewater treatment performance at a number of plants.
SUPERFUND RPM POOL
Lois Betka
Richard Boice
Wendy L. Carney
Kenneth Klewin
John O'Grady
Jon Peterson
Karen Sikora
Robert Whippo
Karen D. Yeates
For developing and implementing a plan that significantly reduces EPA oversight
of State-lead Superfund sites by focusing on inconsistencies with
the national Contingency Plan during document reviews.
-------
U.S. v. KRILLICH LITIGATION TEAM
Deborah A. Carlson
Thomas E. Qlatzel
Debra K. Smith
For their efforts in this wetlands enforcement case, which ultimately resulted in
the assessment of a $ 1.3 million fine-the largest ever in a Clean Water Act
wetlands case-and the construction of a wetland.
XXKEM COST RECOVERY SETTLEMENT TEAM
Gloria M. Carvajal
Arlene Haas
Penny Hubbard-Greene
Nina Zippay
For the successful settlement of the XXKEM cost-recovery case-
which involved more than 600 parties-using principles
encouraged by the Superfund reforms.
-------
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR'S AWARDS
FOR EXCELLENCE
This award is granted to an employee or group of employees who
demonstrate exceptional initiative and competence in work
assignments which are not part of their normally recurring duties.
CLASS n UIC PROGRAM REGULATIONS DEVELOPMENT
Nathan M. Wiser
For his effort to develop regulations for the Class II Underground Injection
Control program which protect the environment while simultaneously
reducing reporting burden on the regulated community.
COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN
Gladys Beard
Patricia L. Handy
For their contributions to the success of the Combined Federal Campaign,
which exceeded its goal and raised more than $118,000 for
various charities.
-------
CROSS-CONTAMINATION INVESTIGATION TEAM
Abul Anisuzzman (Ohio Department of Agriculture)
Matt Beal (Ohio Department of Agriculture)
Terrence Grace (Ohio Department of Agriculture)
Michael McClary
Timothy Mills (Ohio Department of Agriculture)
Dea Maria Zimmerman
For hard work and perserverance in the investigation of cross-contaminated
pesticide and fertilizer products, which gave the EPA a real-world scenario to
analyze in the midst of the development of a national Cross-Contamination Policy.
ENDOCRINE DISRUPTER AWARENESS
Amy E. Pelka
Lara C. Pullen
For initiative in researching endocrine disrupters and training more than
300 regional personnel on the controversial issue.
FY96 CONTINUING RESOLUTION STATE GRANTS
Shirley M. Bednarz
Darlene Lewis
Michael C. Nishi
George E. Stone
Alicia L. Ward
For their efforts to award State grants during each of the Continuing Resolutions
in Fiscal Year 1996, meaning that none of the continuing State
Environmental Programs was forced to shut down.
-------
FY96 FURLOUGH PAYROLL PROCESSING TEAM
Shirley MI. Bednarz
Sheila M. Byrd
Tahira Mahmood
Dorothy A. Price
Betty J. White
For processing the Region's payroll under difficult conditions during
the shutdown, ensuring that Regional staff were paid promptly
after the furlough ended.
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION
Timothy Drexler
Donald W. Josif
For developing the Region's Locational Data Policy and implementing
global positioning system technolgy into programmatic activities,
making it easier for Regional staff to visualize problems
and make decisions.
MANAGING AND REPORTING ON STATE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL PLANS
Madelin Rucker
For outstanding efforts to manage and report on State-submitted air plans.
PROJECT XL 3M HUTCHINSON/MPCA
Brian Barwick
Janet Carlson
Marilou Martin
-------
Genevieve L. Nearmyer
Rachel E. Rineheart
Rudy Tanasijevich
William H. Wagner
For promoting innovation and flexibility to achieve greater environmental
protection with the Project XL Initiative.
REGION 5'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY BROCHURE TEAM
Birute A. Bulota
R. John Rapsys
Belinda Y. Robinson
For creating Region 5's popular Toward A Brighter Future brochure, which
examines the past, present, and future of environmental protection.
REGIONAL TEAM MANAGER SUPPORT
Michele L. Anthony
For her ability to organize and complete a vast assortment of diverse
challenges, all in support of the Agency's vision.
SUPERFUND EEO AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM
Martin A. Sandoval
For harnessing his experiences as an EEO counselor, special-emphasis program
manager, labor leader, and recruiter to make the Region's human resources
program faster, fairer, and more efficient.
-------
URBAN SPRAWL AWARENESS
John T. Haugland
Timothy Thurlow
For advancing a socio-economic understanding of the environmental effects
of urban sprawl and in providing strategic direction to the Region for
increased involvement in sprawl-related issues.
WATER DIVISION ADMINSTRATIVE SUPPORT
Betty Burns
For outstanding dedication and professionalism.
WATERSHED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Belinda Montgomery
For her efforts-using the Enviroscape model-to teach the public about
watersheds and the dangers of non-point source pollution.
WORKER PROTECTION STANDARDS PUBLIC MEETING
Donald L. Baumgartner
Edward F. Master
For their outstanding efforts in planning a public meeting -1 of 10 held
nationally-to solicit input from the agricultural community on ways
to improve the Worker Protection Standards.
-------
HUMAN RESOURCES AWARD
Connie L. Fuchalski
For her efforts in exemplifying the spirit of environmental protection through the
utilization of Community Based Environmental Protection.
WATER DIVISION HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM
Janice Carrollo
Jeanette Collins
Roger Coppock
Felicia Gaines
Catherine Garra
Helen Lenart
Annette Lesure
Mary Morgan
Pankaj Parikh
Howard Pbam
Thomas Poy
Lisa Thorstenberg
Marcia Damato
James Novak
For their achievements in assessing and facilitating the effectiveness of human
resources management within the Water Division.
-------
During the past year, Headquarters has honored Region 5
employees for their contributions to various EPA
environmental programs. They are:
Past Year GOLD MEDAL
BROWNFIELDS TEAM
Joseph P. Dufficy
For leadership and dedication to Region 5's Brownfields Program
that has helped to make it a national model for
redevelopment of abandoned industrial properties.
EPA-TRIBAL PLANNING GROUP
Glenn A. Cekus
Daniel J. Cozza
Jennifer A. Manville
Marc M. Radell
For advancing the cause of environmental protection on Tribal lands
with the first Environmental Planning Agreements signed
between EPA and Indian Tribes.
Past Year SILVER MEDAL
COMPLIANCE INCENTIVES PROJECT TEAM
Bertram C. Frey
For developing creative compliance incentives that reflect
EPA's commitment to encourage voluntary compliance.
-------
GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY INITIATIVE TEAM
Kenneth Fenner
Joan M. Karnauskas
William Melville
Robert F. Pepin
David Pfeifer
Gary O. Pilchard
Wendy Schumacher
Lisa M. Thorstenberg
Mary Willis
In recognition of outstanding performance in the development of the
Great Lakes Water Quality Initiative.
Past Year NATIONAL AWARDS
Contract Management Award
Peggy E. Hendrixson
Steve J. Nathan
Thomas R. Short
DISTINGUISHED CAREER AWARD
Todd A. Cayer
For his dedication to the environment, protection of water resources, and
outstanding leadership and innovation in implementing the Construction
Grants Program, resulting in preeminent fiscal stewardship
and significant environmental benefits.
LEE M. THOMAS Excellence in Management Award
Richard C. Karl
-------
Past Year BRONZE MEDALS
ABANDONED PROPERTY OUTREACH
Michael A. Gilford
For developing and implementing a regional strategy for putting
abandoned industrial and commercial property back into productive use:
a strategy which included broad-based outreach and has served as
a model for other Regions.
OFFICE OF WATER MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
Steve J. Nathan
For creative, cooperative, and disciplined effort to improve EPA's and the
Office of Water's management contracts.
SUPERFUND RD/RA HANDBOOK
Bill Bolen
For his efforts as part of an Agency-wide team to develop
an RD/RA handbook for the Superfund program.
-------
Other Past Year Awards
COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL NON-THEATRICAL EVENTS'
GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Michael Bland
Timothy Chapman
Jon Grand
Alfred Krause
Mary Ann LaFaire
Virginia Narsete
Glynis Zywicld
For the recycling/solid waste public service announcement developed
in partnership with Region 4 and Turner Broadcasting System's
Captain Planet Foundation.
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AWARD
Jeffrey Bratko
For his contribution to the development of the
Environmental Leadership Program.
NATIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW "HAMMER" AWARD
Thelma Codina
For her contribution as part of EPA's 33/50 program to building a government
that works better and costs less.
-------
NATIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW "HAMMER" AWARD
Jim Novak
Peter Swenson
To the CSO Policy negotiating Team for its contribution
to building a government that works better and costs less.
NATIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW "HAMMER" AWARD
Jack Barnette
Julie Magee
Audrie Washington
Eric Glatstein
Jeanette Narrero
For The Green Lights Program for its contribution to building a government
that works better and costs less.
WISCONSIN DNR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Daniel O'Riordan
For his valuable help in resolving and expediting issues, his immediate
attention to our requests, and for enhancing WDNR's partnership
with EPA Region 5.
-------
Cover photo by: B. A. King Mackinac "Bridge arches over the juncture of Lakes Huron and Michigan"
Printed on recycled paper
-------
------- |