Camden-based American Water announced the recipients of its annual James V. LaFrankie Scholarship Awards, to be awarded to 10 college-bound students of full-time American Water employees who demonstrate an interest in water-related occupational fields.
The $1,000 scholarship is awarded for one year and may be renewed for up to three years based on the student’s academic progress.
An independent, third-party organization selected 10 high school seniors from the 96 submitted applications, based on their outstanding records, academic honors, participation in extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations.
Lori Sutton, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer, American Water, said in a release that the company believes “investing in our employees is fundamental to our values, and we take pride in supporting the advancement of the next generation of emerging leaders and innovators.”
Scholarship award recipients and American Water employees are as follows:
- Nicholas Furia – Nick Furia, VP, Treasurer, American Water
- Vanessa Geist – Marie Geist, Principal, Supply Chain, American Water
- Meea Irwin – Ryan Irwin, Superintendent, Operations, Pennsylvania American Water
- Wyatt Kinman – Jason Kinman, Serviceman/Person, Indiana American Water
- Lily Lapham – Tony Lapham, Production-Treatment Operator II, California American Water
- Blaise Leonardo – Charles Leonardo, Sr. Manager, Meter Quality, American Water
- Katherine Liu – Yanjin Liu, Sr. Manager, Engineering Planning, American Water
- Gemma LoGrippo – Mark LoGrippo, Sr. Business Development Manager, New Jersey American Water
- Tyler Rotkowitz – Holly Rotkowitz, Sr. Director, HR Operations, American Water
- Benjamin Walker – Shannyn Allen, Lead Planning Engineer, Indiana American Water
American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the US.
The American Water Board of Directors established the scholarship program in 1991 in honor of former American Water president, James V. LaFrankie, who demonstrated the value he placed on college education by earning a degree at Georgetown University night school while working days at the Alexandria Virginia Water Company, now known as Virginia American Water.
LaFrankie had a 44-year career with American Water, retiring as the company’s president in 1991.
Last month, the company celebrated its 140th anniversary by announcing that it plans to invest up to $48 billion in infrastructure upgrades, resiliency, and regulated acquisitions.
