Carroll Twp. man’s long health struggle leads to award

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Chris Sekora’s hard work in the face of adversity paid off Friday when he was named Water Operator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association. 

Sekora, a Charleroi native, now lives in Carroll Township and works full time as a Class A operator for the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi.

The award is presented each year by the PRWA to an operator who has shown the dedication and perseverance to go above and beyond job expectations.

Sekora’s colleagues say there’s no one more deserving. 

Sekora took a temporary position with the Authority while he was in college in 2000. After he graduated in 2004 with a degree in mechanical engineering, a full-time position presented itself and he jumped at the opportunity. 

“I liked the guys and people I worked with and for, and I enjoyed the work,” Sekora said. “When I got out of school and started looking for a full-time career, they gave me an opportunity and I knew I would be happy here, so I took it.”

He started in the Authority’s Distribution Department as a serviceman who made repairs to faulty pipes, flushed and repaired hydrants and read meters. 

Chad Warfield, director of operations, said Sekora has been an asset from the beginning.

“Chris’ attention to detail proved to be a vital asset to the Authority, so he was given additional responsibilities of inspecting water-line installations,” Warfield said. “Chris could always be counted on to go above and beyond typical job duties and was a problem solver and leader.”

In 2007, he obtained his Distribution (E) license and continued to work as a distribution serviceman until  he was promoted in 2017.

“Chris was moved to the water treatment plant and promoted to the position of plant foreman because of his dedication to his job, his attention to detail and his commitment to bettering himself and the Authority,” Warfield said. “The Authority Water Treatment Plant is a Suez Zeeweed 500D Membrane plant controlled by PLC and SCADA. Chris was an easy choice to fill the position, with a degree in mechanical engineering and prior experience as an employee for an electrical contractor.”

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