State Employee of the Year

           Congratulations to Pete Fryer on being named the 2011 Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources Employee of the Year.  Pete was presented his award at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Convention in Bloomington, MN on December 5, 2011.  Pete was nominated by Winona County Soil and Water Conservation District on behalf of the entire Area 7 SRF (State Revolving Fund) - SWCDs.

(Left: Pete Fryer, Right: John Jaske, Mn BWSR Director)

            Pete began his employment with the SRF – Joint Powers Board on May 19, 1997; funded from a 2 year “Challenge Grant”.  He has been housed in the Winona County SWCD office during this time, but provides engineering and technical assistance to all of Area 7 Districts (Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower, Root River, Olmsted, Dodge, Steele, Rice, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Winona Counties.) 

His principal responsibilities and performance of his work include working with districts to investigate potential project sites, evaluate feasibility and assists with project prioritization and scheduling; prepares or supervises the preparation of final designs and construction documents for eligible BMP’s, provides technical assistance to landowners, SWCD technicians and SWCD managers for construction management and inspections; and provides technical assistance to the conservation partners (SWCD’s, NRCS, BWSR, and additional partners) for effective program management (planning, prioritizing, integration, and delivery).  This position requires a considerable amount of freedom and responsibility to utilize appropriate engineering principles and methods for BMP design and project implementation.  Pete carries these responsibilities professional, efficiently, and effectively.

During the past year in Winona County alone, Pete assisted Winona County SWCD in design and estimation of 5 -  2012 Clean Water Fund projects applications which included: Two milkhouse waste water treatment systems, Two roof run-off control structures with manure management systems, and One 6-month dual stage passive sand separator manure storage system. He also assisted the District with design, construction, implementation, and sign-off of 9 previously funded Clean Water Fund projects or other Cost-Shared projects. 

Pete lives in Chatfield, Minnesota with his wife Julie and 2 sons, Sam and Nick.  Congratulations for a job well done!