Recap of some of the 2012 Groundwater Expo highlights

Keynote Address and Awards Ceremony

Keynote Address — “Living His Dream”

Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, former A.O. Smith Corp. employee-turned-pro golfer, recounted his story of making his dream come true. He shared his journey from small town beginnings in Bishopville, South Carolina, to making it to the PGA Tour and the importance of staying true to your form. Gainey was joined by his friend and one of golf’s most entertaining personalities, Golf Channel analyst and former PGA Tour professional, Charlie Rymer.

It’s said one needs talent and luck to become a professional golfer, but when it came to making his dream a reality, Gainey preferred the tried and true method that “anything in life worth having is worth working for.” He left his job wrapping insulation around hot water heater tanks at A.O. Smith to pursue his boyhood dream of becoming a professional golfer. After years of chasing his goal on the Nationwide Tour, Gainey finally earned his PGA Tour card in December 2008, with A.O. Smith electing to sponsor him in 2009.

In spite of his successes — on and off the links — Gainey’s work ethic, commitment to family, and desire to give back to fans is both honest and refreshing. It’s something not typically seen in today’s ego-driven, look-at-me sports world. Of course, his grip and unorthodox swing do set him apart on the tour. The two-gloved grip, which gave rise to his nickname, came from how his father played golf, while his swing comes from his days as a promising high school baseball player.

To read more about Gainey, click here to view the “Living His Dream” article that ran in the June 2011 issue of Water Well Journal®.

NGWA Awards Ceremony

NGWA honored the industry’s best and brightest during the 2012 NGWA Awards of Excellence and Outstanding Groundwater Project Awards presentations. Click here for a listing of all awards and to view videos of the award presentations.

Laibe Corp. was the official sponsor of the Keynote Address and Awards Ceremony

Attendee Welcome Party

Franklin Electric once again dazzled the crowd at the Groundwater Expo Attendee Welcome Party. The Attendee Welcome Party has become an annual tradition and a favorite event where you can unwind, as well as meet up with old friends and make new ones.

Franklin Electric Co. was the official sponsor of the Attendee Welcome Party.

First-time Expo Attendees and New NGWA Members Meet-and-Greet

First-time attendees and new NGWA members connected with staff, volunteers, and fellow groundwater industry professionals during a welcome and orientation session disigned to help “newbies” discover how to make the most of the Expo experience and NGWA membership!

2013 Nashville Kickoff Reception

NGWA kicked off the 2013 Expo taking place in Nashville, Tennessee with this event. Attendees enjoyed live music and food — and the opportunity to win an all-expense-paid* trip to the 2013 Expo! Congratulations to Curt Schelle of American Drilling & Supply Company of Billings, Montana who won the trip.

*Good toward airfare, hotel, and Expo registration fee for one person. Value capped at $1,000.00.

Western Rubber & Mfg. was the official sponsor of the 2013 Nashville Kickoff Reception.

NGWREF Fundraising Auction

Thank you! You made a difference!
The 2012 Annual Fundraising Auction held in conjunction with the 2012 NGWA Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting raised $34,500. Auctions at the last 11 Expos have raised a combined $411,356. Proceeds from this annual auction help to support the National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation, a charitable organization focused on conducting educational, research, and other activities related to a broader public understanding of groundwater.

Click for more information about the NGWREF auction.

More than 70 hours of educational offerings were available. Click here to access the full lineup of workshops and presentations. To read the details about any of the offerings, simply click on its title.

NGWREF Lecture Series presentations

2013 NGWREF McEllhiney Lecture kickoff presentation

John Jansen, Ph.D., PG, kicked off his 2013 NGWREF McEllhiney Lecture series, “Keeping the Pump Primed: Aquifer Sustainability.”

Fundamentals and Refresher Course on Groundwater and Wells

NGWA offered an optional new one-day program for new professionals and seasoned industry professionals who wanted to brush up on groundwater basics.

The topics covered were:

Groundwater occurrence and aquifer types — Robert Sterrett, Ph.D.
Hydrogeologic logging — Thom Hanna, PG
Borehole geophysics — John Jansen, Ph.D., PG
Groundwater monitoring wells — David Kaminski
High-capacity well design — Don Hanson, RG
Aquifer test data collection and analysis — Chris Neville, PE.

NGWA, a nonprofit organization composed of U.S. and international groundwater professionals — contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers — is dedicated to advancing groundwater knowledge. NGWA’s vision is to be the leading groundwater association that advocates the responsible development, management, and use of water.