Tom Woodcock is One of AWWA’s 5 Under 35 Outstanding Young Professionals!

LONDON—June 13, 2022—We’re thrilled to announce that Tom Woodcock, RVA’s Senior I&C Engineer, has been awarded as a 5 Under 35 Outstanding Young Professional by the American Water Works Association (AWWA)! The award was presented during the Opening General Session at the ACE22 event in San Antonio, Texas.

Established in 1881, AWWA is the largest non-profit, scientific, and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life. Now in its second year, the 5 Under 35 Outstanding Young Professionals Award recognizes and honors young professional AWWA members who have demonstrated outstanding service and leadership in their Sections and the Association, and have advanced the water sector by representing students and young professionals’ interests throughout AWWA.

Based in London, Ontario, Tom is a Senior Associate and Lead Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Engineer, overseeing the I&C and SCADA group at RVA. He has over 12 years of experience delivering municipal projects across Ontario, including the design of process, instrumentation, and controls systems at water and wastewater treatment plants. He is also a member of the Strategic Planning Human Capital Management Group on RVA’s SPIM Committee. Learn more about Tom here.

In addition to this award, Tom is a third-year Director on OWWA’s Board of Directors. Tom has been active in the OWWA Young Professionals (YP) Committee since 2011, when he first got involved with student outreach activities, including the Student Chapter Leadership Forum, organizing events such as site tours, technical seminars, and social gatherings for young professionals across Ontario. Tom attended his first YP Summit in Tampa, Florida in 2017 and subsequently joined the AWWA YP Committee, which plans and hosts the Annual YP Summit, the premier water and wastewater industry workshop for young professionals that is attended by AWWA and Water Environment Federation (WEF) members every year. Tom would go on to serve as vice-chair of the 2018 YP Summit in San Antonio, Texas, and as chair of the 2019 YP Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, which set a new attendance record for AWWA, bringing together over 260 YPs from across North America. In May 2020, Tom was nominated to the OWWA Board of Directors on a three-year term from 2020 to 2023.

“I’m honoured to have received this award,” said Woodcock. “My journey with OWWA and AWWA has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being able to serve as a member of both the OWWA and AWWA YP Committees for over 10 years, leading the Association through the pandemic as a Board Director, and finding creative ways to maintain our connections around the world, has shown me what an unshakeable community of friends and leaders we have in the water industry. At the 2018 YP Summit, AWWA’s CEO, David La France, had us complete a personal marketing plan, and there I endeavored to become a Director with OWWA, which now has come to fruition. I’m excited to continue the path along my water journey with my fellow YPs in the water industry.”

Dave Evans, Senior Principal and Technology Integration Manager at RVA, adds: “It is little surprise to me that the AWWA has recognized Tom’s abilities and drive. I noticed it the first week he came to work for RVA. His willingness to take on any task, and his enthusiasm for involvement in professional organizations like the AWWA, knows no bounds. Not only has Tom created the Instrumentation and Controls group at RVA, but he has been steadfastly volunteering with AWWA, working up from the local young professionals’ group all the way to the international level of the organization. His selection for the top 5 Under 35 Award is a well-deserved recognition of his commitment to our industry.”

Congratulations, Tom!