Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
Mission and Purpose
The Operator of the Year Recognition Awards honor excellence, service, and leadership among tribal water and wastewater operators serving Indian Country. This program recognizes individuals whose dedication and expertise ensure public health, promote environmental stewardship, and ensure the reliable operation of tribal water and wastewater systems.
These awards provide a formal opportunity to celebrate operators who consistently demonstrate professionalism, commitment, and service beyond expectations and strengthen both their utilities and the communities they serve.
Nomination Request – 2026 Operator of the Year
Have you observed a water or wastewater operator working in Indian Country who exemplifies exceptional dedication and service?
Eligible nominees may include individuals who:
- Go above and beyond their assigned job responsibilities
- Provide meaningful support to co-workers or staff members
- Assist other tribal utilities or systems
- Volunteer their time, skills, or expertise within the community
- Consistently demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a willingness to go the extra mile
This is your opportunity to formally acknowledge and celebrate their hard work, professionalism, and commitment to service.
The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Tribal Operator of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding personnel serving tribal water and wastewater systems.
Click Here to Submit a Nomination for the 2026 Tribal Operator of the Year
Below is a record of past recipients and nominees.
2025 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2025 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Kevin Romero, Pojoaque Pueblo Tribe
2025 Nominees:
- Chad Malone, Washoe Tribe
- Dorothy Willis, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla & Cupeno Indians
- James Ellis, Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas
- Jean Estella, Battle Mountain Band of the Te-Moak Tribe
- Kevin Romero, Pojoaque Pueblo Tribe
- Ray Wahwahsuck, Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas
- Selwyn Sekaquaptewa, Hopi Tribe
- Travis McFarland, Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono Indians
- Wayne Yazza Jr., Pueblo of Picuris Tribe
- Thomas Holmes Jr., Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
2024 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2024 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Cody Downs, Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
2024 Nominees:
- Chris DeWeese, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Cody Downs, Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
- Hugh Mirelez, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians
- Leo Fischer, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Leslie Jodie, Navajo Nation
- Michael David, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
- Mike Quiver, Northern Arapaho Tribe
- Veronica Sotres, Pueblo of Santa Ana
2023 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2023 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Kenny Azure, Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe
2023 Nominees:
- Ashley Brown, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
- Cody Downs, Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
- Jeremiah Brosowske, Colorado River Indian Tribe
- Ken Nolan, Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe
- Kenny Azure, Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe
- Leo (Earp) Fischer, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Ricardo Panuco, Colorado River Indian Tribe
- Vince Ramirez, Pueblo of Santa Ana
- Willard Gouge, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
2022 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2022 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Roger Eberhart, Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa
2022 Nominees:
- Cody Downs, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
- Curtiss Martin II, Colorado River Indian Tribes
- Gerard Bruno, Sandia Pueblo
- Kyle Leon, Pueblo of Laguna
- Leo Fischer, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Roger Eberhart, Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa
- Tim Nault, Chippewa Cree
2021 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2021 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Jerry Henscheid, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
2021 Nominees:
- Barbara Coulter, Pueblo of Tesuque
- Cody Downs, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe
- Tim Fontenot, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
- Jerry Henscheid, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
- Leonard Pitts, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California
- Neil Yazzie, Hopi Tribe
2020 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2020 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Alfred Walker, White Mountain Apache Tribe
2020 Nominees:
- Alfred Walker, White Mountain Apache Tribe
2019 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2019 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Tony Berkson, Nisqually Indian Tribe
2019 Nominees:
- John Atchak, Village of Chevak
- Elino Bantatua, Native Village of Noorvik
- Tony Berkson, Nisqually Indian Tribe
- Michael Bintliff, Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation
- Alex Covarrubias, Colorado River Indian Tribes
- Mitchell Coxwell, Squaxin Island Tribe
- Benjamin DeForge, Morongo Band of Mission Indians
- Steven Elliot, Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians
- Veronica Flores, Pueblo of Santa Ana
- Anthony George, Pit River Tribe
- Frederick Koruh, Hopi Tribe
- Barnaby Romero, Pueblo of Sandia
2018 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2018 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Thomas Ridley, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
2018 Nominees:
- Ethan Arch, Eastern Band of Cherokee
- Veronica Flores, Pueblo of Santa Ana
- Bruce Fox, Sr., Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation
- Jerry Henscheid, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
- Leslie Jodie, Navajo Nation
- Kyle Leon, Pueblo of Laguna
- Margaret McPartland, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
- Thomas Ridley, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Dustin Voytoski, Ak-Chin Indian Community
2017 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2017 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Darcy Longie, Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe
2017 Nominees:
- Kevin Eason, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma
- Jerry Henscheid, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
- James “Potts” Hill, Jr., La Posta Band of Mission Indians
- Darcy Longie, Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe
- Curtiss Martin II, Colorado River Indian Tribes
2016 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2016 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Ferguson Livingston, Sr., White Mountain Apache Tribe
2016 Nominees:
- Michael Broncheau, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
- John Cruz, Big Valley Rancheria
- Cathie Eisen, Mescalero Apache Tribe
- Ronnie Freddie, Navajo Nation
- Stephon Scott Hamrick, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
- Ferguson Livingston, Sr., White Mountain Apache Tribe
- James Patchon, Hualapai Tribe
- Thomas Siow, Pueblo of Zuni
2015 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2015 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Eli Abeita, Pueblo of Zuni
2015 Nominees:
- Eli Abeita, Pueblo of Zuni
- John Cruz, Big Valley Rancheria
- April Garza, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
- Les Jodie, Navajo Nation
- Steven Pajarito, Pueblo of Santo Domingo
- James Patchon, Hualapai Tribe
- James Real, Battle Mountain Band Colony
- Weston Tso, Navajo Nation
- Wayne Yazza Jr., Pueblo of Picuris
2014 Tribal Operator of the Year Recognition Awards
2014 Tribal Operator of the Year:
Selwyn Sekaquaptewa, Hopi Tribe
2014 Nominees:
- Bob Bradley, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
- Jason Burbank, Navajo Nation
- Rick Miller, Quechan Tribe
- Mehgan Olson, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
- Selwyn Sekaquaptewa, Hopi Tribe
- Bret Sellars, Pueblo of Sandia
- Elmer Yazzie, Navajo Nation