17999_Authority_December

38 The Authority | December 2024 t he a uthorItIes F uture l eaders s cholarshIP The Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA) and the PMAA Future Leaders Committee recently awarded the 2024 The Authorities Future Leaders Scholarship to three recipients from Pennsylvania: Ashley O’Connor of Ashland, Jimmy Entwistle of Nazareth, and Jonathan Vito of Bethlehem. Announcement of the scholarship was made at the Awards Banquet at PMAA’s Annual Conference in Hershey in September. The Authorities Future Leaders Scholarship was established in 2023 under the guidance of PMAA President, Melissa Komar, Executive Director, Johnstown Regional Sewage & Johnstown Redevelopment Authority, the PMAA Board of Directors and the PMAA Future Leaders Committee. Recognizing the need in the industry to find leaders and cultivate for the future, the scholarship program was created with the goal of increasing knowledge and awareness of authority business, the vital services authorities provide to their communities, and the need for qualified employees in the industry. The scholarship is available to individuals pursuing a career in the industry, or a current authority employee pursuing continuing education or certification. In total, this year’s recipients received $5,000 in funding to continue their education and pursuit of work in the industry. Ashley O’Connor is in her final year of study at Wilkes University pursuing a degree in environmental engineering. Jimmy Entwistle is in his first year of study at Campbellsville University pursuing a degree in environmental science and political science. And Jonathan Vito is the Chief Technical Director at Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority and is pursuing his water and sewer operator’s license. S Ashley O’Connor (center) with Daulton George, Warminster Township Municipal Authority (left) and Shannon Drosnock, Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority (right) Jimmy Entwistle (center left) with Doug Bilheimer, PMAA Executive Director (left), Bill Ross, Lower Saucon Municipal Authority (center right) and Shannon Drosnock, Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority (right) Jonathan Vito (right) with Daulton George, Warminster Township Municipal Authority (left) and Shannon Drosnock, Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority (center)