Olympic National Park Utilities Team Receives 2025 Facility Team of the Year Award for Outstanding Service and Facility Management Excellence

Olympic National Park Utilities Team receives 2025 Facility Team of the Year award.

NPS

The Olympic National Park Utilities Team has been honored with the 2025 Excellence in Facility Management – Facility Team of the Year Award for their exceptional contributions to infrastructure resilience, innovative problem-solving, and team leadership across one of the most geographically and operationally complex parks in the National Park System.

Responsible for maintaining and operating 17 water and wastewater systems, 20 campgrounds, 73 housing units, and over 400 buildings, this dedicated group ensures the daily functionality and long-term sustainability of critical park infrastructure. Their work supports thousands of visitors each year while safeguarding the natural and cultural resources that make Olympic National Park so extraordinary.

In 2024, the team responded to five major system failures, including significant leaks, pump failures, and wastewater infiltration events. Their skilled and timely interventions prevented area closures, mitigated environmental risks, and maintained essential services under intense operational pressure. These included:

• Rapid response to a 15,000-gpd leak and pump failure at the Hoh Water System, averting a shutdown during peak visitor season.
• Manual operational innovations at the Sol Duc Water System following an electronic valve failure.
• Immediate containment and repair of a major break at the Kalaloch Water System, protecting staff and concession operations.
• Troubleshooting and remediation of a 40,000-gpd infiltration issue at the Log Cabin Wastewater System.
• Swift isolation and repair of a 15,000-gpd line break at the Heart O’ the Hills Water System.

Beyond technical response, the Utilities Team demonstrated innovation and foresight by partnering with the park's IT staff to improve connectivity in remote areas—enhancing safety and communication for field crews. They also advanced future planning and modernization efforts, including work on the Barnes Point Wastewater System, the Hurricane Ridge water systems, and ongoing upgrades to outdated plumbing and electrical infrastructure.

Amid staffing vacancies and growing infrastructure demands, the team’s collaboration, resilience, and shared commitment to stewardship have shined. They consistently step up to cover additional responsibilities, embodying a strong team ethic while maintaining operational continuity and visitor safety. Their proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential safety issues has improved experiences for both visitors and staff alike.

Led by a spirit of service, innovation, and problem-solving, the Olympic Utilities Team exemplifies the qualities this award was created to recognize. Please join us in congratulating the following members of the team:

David Weaver, John Stanek, Robert Kummelehne, Brian Frish, Erik Temple, Michael Guzman, Melissa McCabe, Jonathon Bier, Clay Murdoch, Michael Cameron, Amanda Trinkley, Marie Acorn, Trevor Akkerman, and Kerri Cook.