Cleveland T. Grimes was awarded the Golden Manhole Award by the Kentucky-Tennessee Water Environment Association at the Kentucky-Tennessee Water Professional’s Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Mr. Grimes died suddenly at his home on March 29 at the age of 58.
The Golden Manhole Award is an award given to those who have dedicated their careers to the wastewater collection field and have made outstanding contributions in the area of wastewater collection systems. One person each from the states of Kentucky and Tennessee was given the award. Mr. Grimes was this year’s award winner for the state of Tennessee.
A committee reviewed nominations and selected a winner based on education, years of experience in the wastewater industry, achievements, accomplishments and contributions to the wastewater industry.
Mr. Grimes graduated from Brainerd High School and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Memphis State University. He began working for Hamilton County in 1981 and worked for 35 years until his death.
He served as the executive director for the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA) for nine years.
In 1993, Mr. Grimes received the County Service Award, an award presented by the county mayor for distinguished service to Hamilton County. In 2006, he received the Employer Service Award signed by the United States Secretary of Defense recognizing Cleveland as an employer who supported his employees being active in the Armed Forces.
Upon his death, Mr. Grimes was recognized by the Tennessee State Legislature with Resolution 965 for his time and service to Hamilton County.
County Mayor Jim Coppinger said, “This recognition is another reminder of what a great civil servant Cleveland was. Cleveland’s institutional knowledge was responsible for the successes of the WWTA and this award acknowledges Cleveland continued efforts to make Hamilton County an environmentally friendly community. My only regret is Cleveland is not with us to receive in person yet another acknowledgement by his peers of his outstanding leadership.”
Accepting the award on behalf of Mr. Grimes was his widow, Mary Knaff, and WWTA Project Designer Charles Webb. Also present at the award ceremony were WWTA Executive Director Mark Harrison, WWTA Chairman Mike Moon, and the mother of Mary Knaff, Bobby Hyman.