Cleary Medal

Edward J. Cleary Award

The Cleary Award is given to an individual who is an outstanding performer in the management of environmental protection enterprises conducted under either public or private auspices and has demonstrated exemplary professional conduct, personal leadership, originality in devising new environmental protection techniques, and sensitivity and responsiveness to social, economic, and political factors in environmental protection.

 

Click here for the full criteria and nomination forms.

 



2024 Edward J. Cleary Award Recipient

Cleary Award WinnerRobert C. Williams, P.E., BCEE

Rear Admiral Bob Williams, USPHS (ret.), has more than 45 years of experience in environmental engineering and public health.   During his career, he served in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps.  In these assignments, he addressed environmental issues across the Southeastern United States, Panama, and Puerto Rico.  He developed national public health assessment and public health advisory programs addressing over 2000 National Priorities List Sites and RCRA sites.  As Chief Engineer, he co-led efforts addressing the environmental public health impacts of the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11.  As Deputy Surgeon General, he led 6500 uniformed personnel in achieving the public health mission of protecting, promoting and advancing the health and safety of the Nation, through a matrix management of activities within Public Health Service agencies and in response actions to national emergencies. 

RADM Williams is a Registered Professional Engineer and serves, or has served, as an officer and member of national committees for several professional organizations including:  American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE Fellow Grade), Society of American Military Engineers (SAME Fellow), AMSUS, and the Commissioned Officers Association of the US Public Health Service.  He has authored and presented more than 100 publications on a wide variety of environmental health issues, including the co-editing of four books.  He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Stanley E. Kappe Award, PHS Distinguished Service Medals and Surgeon General’s Medallions, the ASCE President’s Award and Federal Engineer of the Year Award, and the AMSUS Gorgas Medal and Lifetime Achievement Award. 

RADM Williams is actively involved in the Academy.  He is the Chair of the AAEES Certification Board and Chair of the Bylaws Policies and Procedures Committee.  He serves on the AAEES Eminence Committee and on the Board of the Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation.

He currently is a private consultant on public health and environmental engineering matters.  He and his wife, Karen, live near San Antonio, Texas.


Past Winners

Year

Recipient

2023

Surampalli, Rao Y.

2022

Boulos, Paul

2021

Hagekhalil, Adel H.

2020

Tata, Prakasam

2019

Schulz, Christopher R.

2018

Pallansch, Karen

2017

Murthy, Sudhir

2016

Lynch, Kira

2015

Shafer, Kevin

2014

Bailey, Walter F.

2013

Vicory, Jr., Alan H.

2012

Malina, Jr., Joseph F.

2011

Lanyon, Richard F.

2010

Maguin, Stephen R.

2009

Bishop, Walter J.

2008

Brown, Jeanette A.

2007

Weaver, Leo

2005

Foxworthy, James E.

2003

Symons, James M.

2001

Stahl, James F.

1999

Hellman, Thomas M.

1997

Vasuki, N.C.

1995

Dalton, Frank

1993

Georgeson, Duane L.

1991

Reilly, William K.

1989

Hair, Jay D.

1987

Heiberg, III, LTG E. R.

1985

Ruckelshaus, William D.

1983

Carroll, William J.

1981

Ling, Joseph T.

1979

Parkhurst, John D.

1977

Haney, Paul D.

1975

Lang, Martin

1973

Baxter, Samuel S.

 

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