Wyatt Receives National Rural Water Association’s Circuit Rider Peer Leadership Award!

Tony Wyatt, Circuit Rider for Tennessee Association of Utility Districts, received highest honors from his peers when he was named the 2006 Circuit Rider of the Year.  Peer Leadership Awards were presented at NRWA’s 20^th Annual In-Service Training Seminar held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

The NRWA Peer Leadership Awards program was established to recognize the outstanding efforts of Rural Water Association representatives. Of the 120 Circuit Riders, Wyatt was honored for his dedication and service to water utilities. 

The Circuit Rider Program began in 1980 with 5 Circuit Riders.  Soon it expanded to 21 states and in 1988 it was the first NRWA Program to cover the contiguous 49 states.  Today it runs from coast to coast and covers Puerto Rico.   

Wyatt began his career with the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts in 1991 after working as the Operations Supervisor for the Town of Huntingdon for over 10 years.  Wyatt serves as TAUD’s Field Supervisor which includes training other TAUD staff to establish quality control of on-site utility visits in compliance with NRWA contract requirements.  To date, his number of on-site NRWA contacts always exceeds the NRWA contract requirements.    

In addition to his primary job as Circuit Rider, Wyatt performs a wide variety of duties that help the utilities and the Association.  He teaches Water Treatment and Distribution at TAUD’s’ certification classes.  He moderates many sessions at TAUD’s Annual and Business conferences. 

Wyatt is in charge of the TAUD Operator Expo that has grown into TAUD’s largest event.  Over 1,100 operators and 80 vendors attend the Operator Expo. He coordinates all of the speakers at the Expo to ensure adequate CEUs are available for the operators’ license requirements.  

Wyatt’s extensive computer skills have helped utilities with the development of CCR templates, many training brochures and Power Point presentations.  He reviews and comments on proposed changes in state and federal laws and regulations.  His analysis helps TAUD develop the appropriate responses to these changes for the benefit of our utilities. Additionally, he holds many licenses, including:  Grade 4 Water Treatment (highest grade); Grade 2 Water Distribution (highest grade); Grade 2 Collection (highest grade); Cross Connection; and RAM-W. 

The National Rural Water Association is a federation of 48 State Rural Water Associations serving over 24,558 water and wastewater utility members in 49 states with additional programs in Honduras and Puerto Rico. 

NRWA members form a solid foundation for Team Rural Water.  Upholding the motto of “Quality On Tap!” Rural Water Associations provide small communities in every state with management and technical resources to supply safe and affordable water.

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Photo:  Tony Wyatt (Center) receives the 2006 Peer Leadership Award from Rick Tanner (left) and Rusty Reeves (right) the 2005 Peer Leadership recipients.