Click here to view the bios of our finalists.

Nicole M. Bogenschuetz, M.S., P.E., is an experienced engineering and utility professional with a decade of technical and operational leadership in water, wastewater, geotechnical engineering, and infrastructure project management. She currently serves as Interim District Manager and District Engineer for Mt. Crested Butte Water & Sanitation District, where she leads organizational operations, staff development, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and major capital improvement projects. Prior to her district leadership roles, Nicole spent over eight years with the Bureau of Reclamation as a Geotechnical Engineer, managing multidisciplinary dam safety evaluations, complex infrastructure designs, emergency response coordination, and large-scale water resource projects across the western United States. Her experience includes project management, stakeholder coordination, construction oversight, safety compliance, and technical engineering analysis for critical public infrastructure. Nicole earned her Master of Science in Hydrology and Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado.

Todd F. Brewer, PhD, P.E., is a highly accomplished water utility executive, engineer, and educator with more than 30 years of experience in water quality, treatment operations, environmental compliance, and utility leadership. He currently serves as Deputy Director of Water Quality & Treatment for Aurora Water, where he oversees treatment operations, environmental compliance, strategic planning, and multimillion-dollar capital improvement and operational programs serving a large metropolitan utility. Throughout his career, Todd has led large multidisciplinary teams, managed complex regulatory and treatment initiatives, and directed water quality and laboratory operations for utilities in Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Nevada. He also held senior leadership positions with the American Water Works Association, where he managed national optimization, workforce development, and grant-funded utility programs serving communities across the United States. In addition to his utility leadership, Todd has more than three decades of university-level teaching experience in environmental and civil engineering. He earned a Ph.D. in Civil (Environmental) Engineering from University of Nevada, Reno, a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from University of Tulsa, and bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics from Northeastern State University.

Brian Flenniken is an experienced public works and utility operations professional with more than a decade of leadership in municipal water, wastewater, and infrastructure management. He currently serves as Public Works Director for Town of Palisade, where he oversees water and wastewater treatment operations, streets, fleet maintenance, watershed management, capital planning, and infrastructure projects while leading a multidisciplinary public works team. Prior to his current role, Brian advanced through multiple operational and leadership positions with the Town of Palisade, including Water Plant ORC/Watershed Manager and Utilities Maintenance Plant Operator, gaining extensive hands-on experience in regulatory compliance, treatment operations, distribution and collection systems, SCADA systems, and utility maintenance. Earlier in his career, he worked in hydroelectric power operations and municipal water remediation systems throughout North America. Brian is recognized for his practical, lead-by-example management style and strong technical expertise in utility operations and public infrastructure. He holds certifications as a Colorado Certified Water Professional with advanced credentials in water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution, and collections, as well as APWA Certified Public Works Professional-Management certification. He completed coursework in Automotive Technology at Santa Barbara City College.

Jessica Knickerbocker, P.E., is an accomplished municipal utility leader with more than two decades of progressive experience in water, environmental, and infrastructure engineering. She currently serves as Deputy Superintendent for Tacoma Water, where she partners with executive leadership to guide strategic planning, enterprise operations, budgeting, capital project oversight, and organizational development. Throughout her career with the City of Tacoma, she has held several senior leadership roles including Planning and Engineering Manager, Project Delivery Manager, Engineering Manager, Principal Engineer, and Engineer, overseeing multimillion-dollar capital programs, large cross-functional engineering teams, and complex utility initiatives focused on water supply, emergency management, sustainability, and climate resilience. Jessica is recognized for her strengths in strategic planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, and inclusive leadership, including launching mentorship and equity initiatives within her organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University and earned an Institute of Asset Management Certification in 2019. She has also served as affiliate faculty for the University of Washington Tacoma and remains active in professional leadership and industry organizations.