Spencer Lindsay Receives 2025 WEAT-NTS Jason Crawley Young Professional Award
Spencer Lindsay, a water/wastewater treatment engineer in Dallas, received the Water Environment Association North Texas Section (WEAT-NTS) 2025 Jason Crawley Young Professional Award. This award is named in memory of Jason Crawley, a longtime WEAT volunteer leader and Freese and Nichols engineer who died in 2023.
The award recognizes young professionals who are committed to community engagement.
“Spencer’s devotion to the greater good in his work, the wastewater industry and his sincerity is easily recognized when you meet him,” wrote Erin Flanagan, Group Manager for Freese and Nichols’ North Texas Water/Wastewater Treatment and Reuse team, in nominating Spencer for the award.
“Spencer was fortunate to have worked closely with Jason Crawley for the first three years of his career. The opportunity for him to be recognized with this inaugural award honoring Jason is humbling, and I know Spencer is profoundly impacted by the honor.”
Spencer has been an active WEAT-NTS member since 2020. In 2023, he began volunteering for the Sporting Clays tournament, a major fundraiser for the organization’s scholarship fund. His leadership, professionalism and camaraderie quickly earned him the role of main organizer for the event in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, he became the Fundraising Committee Chair and still holds this position. He also serves on the volunteer committee for OPStoberfest, a barbecue event for water and wastewater treatment operators and their families.
At the state level, Spencer volunteers as a judge for the Safety Event of Operations Challenge, a multi-day competition highlighting the skills of water and wastewater professionals.
Receiving this award is a humbling experience for Spencer. Jason was a significant influence, and working alongside him helped shape Spencer’s approach to teamwork and commitment to quality.
“He was a great role model, showing us how to communicate effectively and make sure everyone’s input was heard,” Spencer said.
Jason was heavily engaged in state and national professional groups, including chairing the WEAT Student Design Competition and the Young Professionals Committee and serving as the YP representative on the WEAT board. He was also a judge for WEAT’s Operations Challenge competition and the head Safety Competition Judge for the Water Environment Federation’s national Operations Challenge competition.
Spencer recalls the conversations and lessons shared with Jason that continue to guide him in his professional career.
“It’s important to remember that everyone you’re working with is human. Jason was excellent at communicating the bigger picture and the impact of our projects, and I strive to do the same,” Spencer said.
Spencer received the award at the WEAT-NTS Membranes and Mudbugs event on April 25. Other Freese and Nichols staff were in attendance, including Gennady Boksiner, Allison Hage and Darpan Chorghe.
