POTSDAM -- The Village of Potsdam's Robert Henninger has been named the 2016 Wastewater Operation Specialist of the Year by the New York Rural Water Association.

Henninger received the award from the association in May at its exhibition in Lake Placid, “in recognition of his commitment to protecting the environment, his demonstration of leadership, and his dedication to the community he serves,” the announcement said.

“He has encouraged his fellow co-workers to become cross-trained and certified in both water and wastewater,” and has “taken up the charge to provide training to all of the North Country water and wastewater operations specialists,” the presenter said. “He organizes it – all the planning, setting up, registration and hosting; he singlehandedly and selflessly acts in service to others.”