Edward J. Cleary Award

The Cleary Award is given to an individual who is an outstanding performer in the management of environmental protection enterprises conducted under either public or private auspices and has demonstrated exemplary professional conduct, personal leadership, originality in devising new environmental protection techniques, and sensitivity and responsiveness to social, economic, and political factors in environmental protection.

Click here for the full criteria and nomination forms.

2026 Edward J. Cleary Award Recipient

Robert C. Ferrante, P.E., BCEE

Robert Ferrante became Chief Engineer and General Manager for the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County in August 2019.  He reports directly to the Boards of Directors of the Districts, comprised of the Mayors of the 78 cities located within its service area and the Board of Supervisors for unincorporated county territory.  The Districts provide wastewater management for 5.6 million residents and manage roughly 20% of the solid waste in the county.  In his position, he oversees all the departments and activities of the Districts’.  Under Mr. Ferrante’s leadership the agency has developed a food waste to energy program, is constructing a new seven-mile effluent tunnel, and is developing a large regional recycling program with other utility partners. These projects align with the Districts’ mission of converting waste into resources and replacing aging infrastructure.

Mr. Ferrante has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.  He is a registered professional engineer in California and board-certified environmental engineer by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Mr. Ferrante has worked for the Districts since 1993 in air quality, wastewater operations, solid waste operations, and energy recovery operations. He serves on various boards and commissions including California WateReuse, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and the Southern California Coastal Water Research Program.

Past Winners

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