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Odeal Receives Fourth Annual Ehrnfelt Award for Outstanding Regional Contribution
The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is pleased to announce that the 2007 winner of the Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Award for Outstanding Regional Contribution is Erwin J. Odeal, Executive Director for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. Odeal received the award at NOACA’s 8th Annual Summit, held today at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” said Odeal. “As a Strongsville resident for 35 years, I had the pleasure of working with Wally Ehrnfelt on many projects, both in his capacity as mayor and as a NOACA Board member. I was always impressed with his ability to simplify complicated issues and bring people together, so I am very pleased to be recognized in this manner.”
“Erwin Odeal’s dedication to environmental protection and improving regional water quality has been outstanding,” remarked Robert N. Brown, NOACA Governing Board President and City of Cleveland Planning Director. “He has provided leadership for long-range water-quality planning while also focusing on the Sewer District’s core mission of wastewater treatment to safeguard public health. He has earned the respect and admiration of other organizations collaborating to protect water resources. ”
“Erwin has a long and respected history of involvement on the NOACA Board,” noted NOACA Executive Director Howard R. Maier. “His service to the region exemplifies regional cooperation as envisioned by the award.”
In the late 1970s Odeal participated in NOACA 208 water quality planning as a member of the Wastewater Management Advisory Committee. These early planning efforts resulted in a comprehensive clean water plan for Northeast Ohio. Odeal was the chairperson for the committee that was the driving force behind the current water quality plan, Clean Water 2000. He currently serves as NOACA’s Environmental Advisory Committee chair, providing leadership and advice on a variety of water quality issues.
The Ehrnfelt Award, established in 2004, recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to the betterment of the region. Qualifications for the award include leadership, regional impact, cooperative attitude, and dedication.
Odeal was selected by a seven-member committee of former Governing Board members from all five counties in the NOACA region and the City of Cleveland. The selection committee included:
- Lydia Champlin, former mayor, Chagrin Falls Village
- Honorable Charles L. Patton, Associate Judge, Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court
- David E. Anderson, Mayor of Willoughby
- Kenneth W. Roth, former Columbia Township Trustee
- Neil C. Hofstetter, former Geauga County Commissioner
- Ralph A. Berry, Esq., former Medina County Commissioner
- Robert C. Klaiber, P.E., P.S., Cuyahoga County Engineer
Previous Ehrnfelt Award Recipients:
Learn more about the 8th Annual Summit, "Changes & Challenges" held on Friday, June 8, 2007.
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