The Irrigation Association presented its annual awards during the General Session on Nov. 7 at the 2013 Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Austin, Texas.
The association honored individuals in two categories.
The Industry Achievement Award went to Vince Nolletti of the Paige Electric Company in Fresno, Calif. He’s recognized for his outstanding contributions to the industry. This includes introducing the first commercially available microprocessor-based irrigation controllers—the KCS system—and increasing awareness of best management practices for electrical aspects of irrigation systems.
He has been actively involved in several IA committees since the late 1990s. He currently serves on the Irrigation Foundation Board of Trustees.
The Person of the Year Award is awarded to a person outside of the commercial irrigation industry who has made outstanding contributions toward the acceptance of sound irrigation practices or policies.
Dr. David Zoldoske of the Center for Irrigation Technology at California State University in Fresno has been a strong leader in the irrigation industry for many years. Some of his most notable contributions include serving as project director for the establishment of the Zimbabwe Irrigation Technology Center and representing the United States in the development of international equipment standards.
As the director of the Center for Irrigation Technology, Zoldoske has established the center as an internationally renowned irrigation testing facility—a facility that is now the primary testing lab for WaterSense-labeled irrigation products. He also served on the IA Executive Committee for five years and was president from 2004 to 2005.
To nominate an individual for one of IA’s awards, visit www.irrigation.org.