Andy Young, EHS Regulatory Compliance Manager for SECMG, presented the 2021 Safety and Environmental Achievement Awards during the annual Southern Ute Growth Fund’s Environmental, Health, and Safety Retreat, held at the Sky Ute Casino Resort events center, Wednesday, Oct. 6. Young, welcomed attendees to the Casino and commended them for their dedication to the Growth Fund and overall commitment to creating a safe work environment for themselves and others while on the job. The Safety and Environmental Achievement Award is given out annually to recognize outstanding performance by a Growth Fund employee.

Growth Fund Safety and Environmental Achievement Award recipients Kevin Standifer, Graham Stahnke, and Tim Wichlacz (not pictured), stand for a portrait following the recognition of awards by Growth Fund Director Shane Seibel, and the Southern Ute Tribal Council. Kevin Standifer and Tim Wichlacz (Utilities) received the award for the Non-Energy Division of the Growth Fund for their quick thinking and response to save a non-Growth Fund sewage hauler who was unconscious in his truck sewage tank at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ignacio. Graham Stahnke (Aka Energy) received the award for the Energy Division of the Growth Fund for his successful efforts to significantly increase air quality compliance and improve the safety program at the Gilcrest Gas Plant in Weld County, Colo.