IAI is pleased to announce that IAI Regional Manager, Sierra Brown, has been selected by MWEA as the 2018 Operations Professional of the Year. Sierra received his award at the 92nd MWEA Annual Conference at Boyne Mountain Resort, Michigan, in June.
Sierra has been a member of the IAI team since 2012, when he was hired as an Operations Specialist for IAI’s Lakes Area Sewer Authority (LASA) project. In 2015, he became Project Manager of IAI’s Haring Township contract, and was on board to start up Haring Township’s new wastewater treatment facilities. More recently, he became IAI’s Regional Manager for Northern Michigan.
Like many of our IAI operators, Sierra is an alumni of the Bay College Water Resource Management program, graduating with honors in 2012. He holds a Michigan Class B municipal wastewater license, Michigan Commercial/Industrial wastewater license with classifications A-1f, C-1c, and C-3b, and a Michigan Class F-4/S-3/D-2 drinking water license. Sierra’s family includes his wife, Brandi Brown, and their sons, Gibson, age 9, and Ryker, age 7.
Sierra was truly surprised to be named the Operations Professional of the Year and credits his co-workers with helping him to succeed as an operator. He said, “I am honored to just be nominated for this. I like to think that IAI’s strength is in the team. I utilize the minds and resources of this company on nearly a daily basis. If there is ever a problem or a bump in the road, knowing who to call and what questions to ask has helped me tremendously in my career so far.”
Sierra enjoys the interaction and relationships that he has formed with his co-workers at IAI. He has many kind words for them, particularly his mentors, Russ Johnson and John Barthels. Sierra says that Russ and John have taught him not only the technical aspects of this work, but also have modeled work hard and high ethical standards.
We at IAI are extremely proud of our talented operations team, including the MWEA 2018 Operations Professional of the Year, Sierra Brown. Please join us in congratulating Sierra on this honor!
