Yurosek & Kuney received WAKC Awards at 68th Annual Meeting
BAKERSFIELD, CA – The Water Association of Kern County proudly presented its Water Leader of the Year and Water Legacy Awards Wednesday, November 6th, at its 2024 WAKC Annual Meeting held at Stockdale Country Club.
Board members and guests gathered for the 68th Annual Meeting and were excited to come together and surprise the award recipients. Jason Giannelli, 2023-2025 WAKC President, welcomed everyone to the Annual Meeting and introduced the evenings agenda. Guest Speaker, Senator Melissa Hurtado spoke about her perspective on water and shaping policy to better protect agriculture and urban communities.
Every year WAKC presents the Water Leader of the Year and the Water Legacy Awards at the Annual Meeting. The Water Leader of the Year award is given to an individual who has shown significant contributions, leadership and integrity over the past year. Jeevan Muhar, General Manager of Arvin-Edison Water District, presented the 2024 Water Leader of the Year award to Derek Yurosek. Yurosek is the current chair of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Coordination Committee for Kern County and is a key player in our SGMA process with the State Water Resources Control Board. Unfortunately, Derek was unable to join us for the evening, however he expressed his gratitude, “…Although I know I am receiving this award, I truly believe that this an award that goes to the entire Kern County Basin and the time, effort and passion that hundreds of people have given to protect our water and land. As we know the person that hold the award is a representation of everyone they engage with and I am blessed to have the best of class in all areas. I hope everyone is having a wonderful evening and I am truly honored and humbled. Thank you!”
Ernest Conant, the 2019 winner of our Water Legacy Award and retired USBR Region Director, presented the Water Legacy Award to honor a recipient who spent his life working in water issues, demonstrated leadership and long-term commitment to Kern County water. Conant presented the Water Legacy Award to Scott Kuney. Conant stated “Scott has dedicated his career to Kern County water over the past 40 plus years. As a 2nd generation Water Attorney, he learned from his father the great work he could do in water. I am proud to have had Scott as a colleague and friend.” Kuney was shocked and extremely grateful for the opportunity and expressed his appreciation to WAKC and the water community.
The evening was a remarkable testament to the longevity of service in the amazing individuals that represent our Kern County water community. We are grateful for their service and commitment to Kern County Water.
