People on the move.

TEHA Thanks Thomas L Edmonson for Years of Service

From the Texas Environmental Health Association (TEHA) comes the following announcement: "On September 30, 2001, Thomas L. (Tom) Edmonson, Jr., R.S., retired as executive secretary-treasurer of TEHA after two tours of duty in that position. Tom Edmonson's name has been synonymous with TEHA for many years. As executive secretary-treasurer, he has worked single-handedly to perform TEHA's business functions: tracking membership; bookkeeping; sometimes editing TEHA's newsletter, the Beacon; purchasing; compiling by-laws and election ballots; handling correspondence; coordinating registration for TEHA's annual educational conference and program arrangements; and organizing golf tournaments and past presidents' luncheons.

"Tom, a native Texan, was born in Tyler and grew up in Wichita Falls. He attended West Texas State College and Midwestern University, where he graduated with a B.B.A. in business administration and a minor in economics in 1961. Tom is also a military veteran with service in the Texas National Guard and the U.S. Army during the Berlin crisis.

"He joined the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Health Department in 1963 as a sanitarian inspector, then was promoted through the various sanitarian positions, working in environmental and consumer health. In 1968, he was selected as the assistant to the director of health, with total responsibility for the environmental health program. In 1985, Tom was named district manager of the then newly formed Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District, which had more than 80 employees and a budget surpassing $2 million.

"Tom has been involved in many professional organizations, including the Texas Mosquito Control Association (president, 1979-1980); the Texas Environmental Health Association (president 1984-1985); NEHA (regional vice president, 1982-1987); the North Texas Chapter of Texas Restaurant Association (board of directors); the Texas Public Health Association (chair, Sanitarian Section); and the Texas Association of Municipal Health Officials (executive secretary-treasurer). Twice, Tom has served as a citizen ambassador for the People to People Program's Public Health Delegation to the People's Republic of China. He also has been very involved in civic affairs, including service on the board of directors of the Wichita Falls Crime Watch program.

"In 1965, Tom helped in getting the Sanitarian Registration Act passed in Texas. He is Texas Registered Sanitarian, Number 162, and has served two terms on the Texas Sanitarian Advisory Committee, including one as chair. In addition, Tom holds the Registered Sanitarian credential from NEHA.

"Tom is a fellow of both the Texas Environmental Health Association and the Texas Public Health Association, and has been honored by both with honorary life memberships. In 1986, TEHA also honored him with the I.E. Scott Award, the highest honor bestowed by the association, recognizing his long and distinguished career in environmental and public health.

"We will not forget the hard work and dedication Tom has provided to TEHA during his career. Many, many thanks and congratulations to Tom for the outstanding job he has done. TEHA wishes him the very best of luck in his retirement."

As does NEHA!

George Larsen Receives WEHA Award

At its Annual Education Conference last fall, the Wyoming Environmental Health Association (WEHA) recognized the contributions of NEHA member George Larsen with its 2001 Outstanding Environmental Health Professional (Outstanding Sanitarian) Award.

Mr. Larsen is a consumer protection specialist for the Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA). He has been a member of WEHA for just under three years; however, he has made his mark in the environmental health field. Larsen took over duties as WEHA treasurer in the fall of 2000. He was responsible for all finances associated with the WEHA Annual Education Conference, which consisted of a joint conference of three organizations.

As a consumer protection specialist, Larsen conducts environmental health, meat, and food inspections in Fremont and Hot Springs counties. He also has participated in numerous WDA committees. In 2001, he graciously went above and beyond his normal responsibilities by conducting meat and food inspections in Washakie County. During U.S. Department of Agriculture reviews of meat facilities in Washakie and Hot Springs counties, Larsen served as the inspector-in-charge. The federal review officers commented that they were very impressed with his professionalism.

Larsen also is a devoted family man, He and his wife, Camille, have been married for 14 years and have four children. His hobbies include fishing, camping, hunting, gardening, and collecting insects. In August 2000, he received a master's degree in food science, studying for it in his spare time.

Sandi Palmer Wins WEHA's Arthur Williamson Award

At its Annual Education Conference, WEHA also honored the longtime contributions of Sandi Palmer with the 2001 Arthur Williamson Award. In 1977, Sandi became the first woman in Wyoming to hold the title of Public Health Sanitarian. She has worked for the Laramie County Health Department for three decades, training food workers and inspecting septic systems, restaurants, daycare centers, and swimming pools. She has taken a special interest in daycare sanitation and safety, a program near to her heart. Ms. Palmer put together one of the most active and successful daycare inspection programs in the state of Wyoming, if not in the country.

In addition, she has been very active in WEHA, serving on many committees. She was WEHA secretary in 1984-1986 and WEHA president in 1988--1990. In 1985, she received the Outstanding Sanitarian Award, and in September 2000, she received her NEHA Certified Food Safety Professional credential.

Ms. Palmer enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and loves to travel; since her retirement earlier this year, she has had more time to do both.