The Hydraulic Institute (HI) proudly announces the recipients of its prestigious awards, presented during the HI 2025 Annual Conference Awards Dinner on January 23, 2025, in Rancho Mirage, CA. These awards recognize industry professionals whose leadership, technical expertise, and dedication have significantly advanced both the Hydraulic Institute and the broader pump industry. 

Lifetime Achievement Award – Mr. Al Iseppon 

Mr. Al Iseppon, Engineering Manager at Pentair, Water Technologies, received the 2024 Hydraulic Institute Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to the Institute’s technical work over the past three decades. With 44 years of experience in the pump industry and 35 years of active participation in HI, Mr. Iseppon has played a critical role in advancing industry standards. His leadership on the HI Technical Affairs Steering Committee and numerous standards committees has been instrumental in shaping key guidelines, including his recent role as chair of the ANSI/HI 9.6.1 Rotodynamic Pumps Guideline for NPSH Margin. His expertise and dedication have left a lasting impact on the industry. 

 HI Member of the Year – Mr. Gregory Case 

Mr. Gregory Case, Chief Technology Officer at TACO, Inc., was named the 2024 HI Member of the Year in recognition of his sustained efforts to advance HI’s mission. With over 30 years in the industry, Mr. Case has been a driving force behind critical initiatives, serving on the HI Technical Affairs Steering Committee and leading multiple standards development committees. His contributions include leadership in the creation of the Specifications for Test Acceptance Grades White Paper, ANSI/HI 5.1-5.6 Sealless Rotodynamic Pumps for Nomenclature, Definitions, Application, Operation, and Test, and the recently published ANSI/HI 14.3 Rotodynamic Pumps for Design and Application standard. His expertise and commitment have significantly shaped industry best practices. 

 Standards Partner of the Year – Ms. Kara Hurtig 

Ms. Kara Hurtig, Principal and Senior Water Resources Engineer at Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Ltd., was honored as the 2024 Standards Partner of the Year for her exceptional volunteer leadership. Over the past 11 years, her expertise has been instrumental in the development and revision of key standards, including ANSI/HI 9.6.6 Rotodynamic Pumps for Pump Piping and ANSI/HI 9.8 Rotodynamic Pumps for Intake Design. In addition to her contributions to standards development, Ms. Hurtig supports Hydraulic Institute University (HIU) by co-instructing webinars on Intake Design and Pump Piping. Her technical knowledge, broad experience, and unwavering enthusiasm have made her an invaluable asset to HI. 

 Young Engineer of the Year – Mr. Gabriel Young 

Mr. Gabriel Young, Engineering Manager of the Metal Bellows Product Group at John Crane, Inc., was named 2024 Young Engineer of the Year for his significant accomplishments and voluntary leadership within HI. Under his direction, the 2nd edition of the Mechanical Seals for the Pump Industry was published, and a comprehensive revision of the Mechanical Seals Fundamentals Webinar Bundle was completed. His initiative and dedication have greatly contributed to the development of HI’s educational resources, furthering industry knowledge and training opportunities. 

 Recognizing Excellence in the Pump Industry 

“We are thrilled to recognize these outstanding individuals for their contributions to both the Hydraulic Institute and the pump industry,” said Michael Michaud, Executive Director of the Hydraulic Institute. “Their leadership, expertise, and commitment have played a vital role in fostering innovation, advancing industry standards, and supporting the success of HI. Their efforts are shaping the future of our industry, and we are grateful for their dedication.”