Westmont, Illinois -- Date Issued: June 27, 2022
After 35 years of service with the Village of Westmont, Director of Public Works Mike Ramsey officially retired on Friday, June 24, 2022. At a retirement ceremony with village staff and industry colleagues, Mike was applauded for his accomplished career with the Village of Westmont as well as within the waterworks industry. Some of Mike’s highlights include:
- Began working for the Village of Westmont at the age of 15
- Became a full-time employee with the Village of Westmont in 1986
- Promoted to the title of Public Works Director in 2015
- Served as Chair of the MAC Committee and the Competitions Committee for AWWA
- Certified as a Class *C* and *D* Water Operations Instructor for Illinois AWWA
- Certified as a Class *A* IEPA Water Operator and one of two Association of Board Certified Water Operators
- Received numerous accolades within the water distribution service profession including the American Public Works Association Award of Merit, the highest honor that a Water Works professional can receive
- In 2013, launched Hydrant Hysteria, a state-wide competition in which 2-person teams race to assemble a fire hydrant
- In 2015, was co-awarded the AWWA Gimmicks & Gadgets Award for developing the light-up valve key
- In 2017, created and launched the Model Water Tower Building Contest, which started in Westmont, but has since gone State-wide
- Created and launched a summer internship program in which high school students could train with water professionals and earn a water operators license
- Recognized as the AWWA Illinois Section Educator of the Year Award and Water Professional of the Year in 2014
- Awarded the Clifford E. Fore Award in 2017 for being the State of Illinois Water Operator of the Year
- On March 21, 2018, received the George Warren Fuller Award from the American Water Works Association - The award was given in recognition of Mike’s commitment to the improvement of the water industry and for his long-standing dedication and leadership in the AWWA
- Co-founded the Race To The Flag 5K in Westmont, which raised over $100,000 for charities such as St. Jude’s Hospital and the People’s Resource Center
- Supported community events and always worked diligently to make sure that Westmont Public Works was a partner in making sure these events were a success
- Upon his retirement, received a Jim Wright Making Memories Award for his commitment to the success of community events
- Served as a driving force behind the campaign to create a new Public Works Facility for the Village of Westmont, which was dedicated on the Village of Westmont’s 99th Anniversary on Nov. 10, 2020
The Village of Westmont thanks Mike for his many years of dedication and service. We wish Mike a long and happy retirement.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont
Communications Director/Public Information Officer
630-417-0280
lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
