Press Release - National Rural Water Association
2915 S. 13^th Street
Duncan, OK 73533
580-252-0629   FAX 580-255-4476
Contact:  Kris R. Cash, nrwakc@nrwa.org

LRWA Unveils the “Wayne Fontenot Training Center” Building Plaque
(article courtesy of Louisiana Rural Water Association)

Louisiana Rural Water Association makes surprise presentation to Mr. Wayne Fontenot at its Annual Training & Technical Awards Banquet in conjunction with the Conference held in Alexandria, LA the week of July 17^th – July 21^st, 2006.   

In 2003, the LRWA office in Kinder, LA underwent renovations and made an addition to our existing building and is proud to now be able to offer certification training courses in both water and wastewater throughout the year at our own facility.  Our facility can comfortably allow for water and wastewater certification training to take place simultaneously.  This smaller scale training has been well received by operators because it increases the opportunity to ask questions and creates a more comfortable atmosphere for participation, therefore creating a higher level of learning and passing rates on the Louisiana State Department of Health & Hospitals Certification Exam.  

Mr. Wayne Fontenot who is a former Marine, educator, school bus driver and rice and soybean farmer was a very instrumental figure, along with Mr. H.M. “Skeeter” Vickers and Mr. Bob Lawrence, in getting LRWA started and has served on the LRWA Board of Directors since its beginning in 1978.  He is LRWA’s second and current Board President, having replaced Skeeter Vickers as President in 1983.  Mr. Wayne continues to be a driving force in guiding and directing the association in our operation and success.  He has also made a great contribution on the national level by having served on the National Rural Water Association Board of Directors for over 20 years.  He currently manages the Southwest Allen Parish Water District in Kinder, LA, which now serves 1,700 customers, and sells bulk water to the Allen Parish Correctional Center, the Coushatta Tribe Casino, and the Town of Kinder.  

Therefore, it seemed only fitting in our quest to find a name for our new facility, that we call it “The Wayne Fontenot Training Center”.  Thank You, Mr. Wayne, for your tireless contribution to LRWA and the Water and Wastewater industry throughout Louisiana and the nation and may the Wayne Fontenot Training Center serve as a constant reminder long into the future of your past, present and future contributions.  

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