City earns ‘Exemplary Employer Award’

The Oklahoma Water Environment Association (OWEA) recently honored the City of Broken Arrow Utilities Department with the "Exemplary Employer Award".

This award honors water-sector entities for operational excellence. OWEA is an Oklahoma-based organization dedicated to improving Oklahoma's water environment through leadership, stewardship, collaboration, integrity, and passion. Members include engineers, operators, utility owners, and suppliers who work together to secure Oklahoma's water future.

Utilities Director Timothy Robins says the city encourages its Utilities professionals to engage and contribute to the broader water sector through groups such as OWEA. This year, he was selected to serve as Vice President of OWEA for a four-year term.

"Through our engagement with OWEA, we bring back critical knowledge of what other cities do nationally and within the state, which we can apply within our organization to benefit our residents," Robins said. "Likewise, through our involvement in these organizations, we can share our knowledge and what we've learned from critical situations, teach others, and help other blossoming communities grow as well. It has been such a pleasure to be part of an organization that allows us to engage with other communities, which helps all of us grow."

Additionally, Water Plant Manager Lou Ann Fisher received OWEA's 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. Fisher, a water professional since 1994, has devoted her career to ensuring that all have access to pollutant-free water.

"I had no idea I was getting this award until they called my name," Fisher said. "I was shocked, and then I cried. It really means so much to have my career in service recognized."

Fisher started working with the city in November 2020 during the pandemic.

"Working at the City of Broken Arrow is where I can serve as a leader and a role model, impressing upon others how behavior and high-quality service speak volumes in the way we do business," Fisher said. "We give our best performance and practice high standards because people are worth it and deserve no less than the delivery of excellent service. In my opinion, this is why the City of Broken Arrow is the number one city to live in Oklahoma."

The City of Broken Arrow was well represented at the most recent OWEA Conference in April. Water Plant Operator Jedediah Beloncik was named Operator of the Year; Utilities Construction Crew Chief Bryce Campbell won First Place in the Equipment ROADeo, with Utilities Crew Supervisor Orlando Perez earning Second Place, respectively.

The event was hosted by Warren CAT and is a heavy equipment skills competition. Campbell will compete in August at the national conference in Houston. It is the second year in a row that Broken Arrow has represented the city nationally in the event. Last year, Perez won first place at the state level and competed in Atlanta.

Further proof of the city's exemplary status is the longevity of its employees. The Utilities Department has 94 employees with an average tenure of over nine years.

Thirty-four employees have served for over 10 years, 14 for over 20 years, and one for 41 years.