Industry changemakers honored during WQA Convention & Expo
LISLE, Ill. – The Water Quality Association recognized 12 outstanding individuals with leadership awards this week during the 2025 WQA Convention & Exposition in Long Beach, CA. The annual awards honor excellence, leadership, service, and innovation across all areas of the water quality improvement industry.
The highest recognition, the Hall of Fame Award, went to DJ Shannahan, MWS, CI, CCO, of Sharp Water Culligan. With a career that spans more than three decades, Shannahan is the owner and operator of four Culligan dealerships in the Mid-Atlantic region and a former WQA President (2020–2021).
Bob Boerner of Culligan Southwest was honored with the Lifetime Member Award, recognizing his decades of service to the industry and to WQA. Boerner, a former Texas Water Quality Association president, has played a pivotal role in state and national advocacy and has led several WQA committees.
Other 2025 award recipients include:
- Greg Reyneke, MWS, of Red Fox Advisors, honored with the Key Award for exceptional leadership within a company, industry and community.
- Ken Steitz, EcoWater of Central California, who received the Regents Award, which recognizes impactful contributions at the state or local level.
- Sean Caughron of Elbi of America, honored with the Ray Cross Award, which is given to a WQA member whose spirit and commitment have made a notable difference.
- Marianne R. Metzger, ResinTech Inc., honored with the Award of Merit, honoring exceptional service to the industry.
- Shelley Peters, CWT, Canadian Water Quality Association, who received the International Award of Merit in recognition of exceptional service to the water treatment industry.
- Mark Campbell, recently retired from Primo Brands, received the Honorary Member Award, given to an individual with meritorious contributions to water quality through service, education, or research.
- Four individuals were honored with the Next Gen Award, which recognizes professionals 40 or younger who demonstrate a strong commitment to the water treatment industry:
- Katie Camille Friedman, PhD, of Clorox
- Anthony Karas of Austin, Houston, and San Antonio Water Solutions
- Miles Menyhert of Jacobi Carbons
- Tedd Schneidewend of Culligan International
More information about the 2025 honorees and the individual award criteria can be found online at wqa.org/awards.
WQA is a not-for-profit trade association representing the residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment industry. WQA’s education and professional certification programs have been providing industry-standardized training and credentialing since 1977. The WQA Gold Seal certification program has been certifying products that contribute to the safe consumption of water since 1959. The WQA Gold Seal program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). WQA publishes a consumer-friendly website, BetterWaterToday.org
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