Two employee-owners receive AWWA’s highest chapter award

The South Dakota and North Dakota chapters of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) each selected Bartlett & West employee-owners as recipients of their highest award, the George Warren Fuller Award. This honor is given to members for exceptional and extraordinary service to the water supply field, and Brian Hoellein and Jim Lennington both received the award in 2023.

Brian Hoellein received the South Dakota AWWA Fuller Award. He will be stepping into the role of State Director starting in June 2024 through June 2027, where he will be able to get involved more at a national level in AWWA. Hoellein graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in sanitary engineering. He has more than 30 years of experience in water treatment, distribution and design. He joined Bartlett & West in 1993.

Jim Lennington, a senior project manager at Bartlett & West, was recognized with the North Dakota AWWA award. He was the first recipient of NDAWWA since 2019. Jim served as the Bartlett & West engineering project manager for the more than $400-million Southwest Pipeline Project (SWPP) from 2009 to 2021. He transitioned away from day-to-day project management of SWPP at the end of 2021 but continues to be involved as a senior engineering specialist. Prior to joining Bartlett & West in 2006, Jim spent nearly 20 years at the North Dakota State Water Commission. Lennington graduated from North Dakota State University with bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and the University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in civil engineering. He has more than 34 years of experience in managing all phases of construction of regional water systems. In addition, Jim has shared his expertise with several professional associations. Jim has served in leadership roles for the NDAWWA,North Dakota Joint Board and the North Dakota Water and Pollution Control Conference board. Jim was also recognized by the North Dakota Rural Water System Association with the Friend of Rural Water Award in 2013.

Both recipients will be recognized at the national conference at ACE in June 2024.

Bartlett & West, headquartered in Topeka since 1951, has upper-Midwest offices in Sioux Falls, S.D. and Bismarck, N.D. The firm provides engineering, surveying, land acquisitions, technology solutions and other professional services to a wide range of clients.