Ryan Brown, Chatham-Kent’s director of Public Works, earned high praise recently.
Brown was awarded a 2025 Municipal Engineers Award for his work in dealing with the Wheatley gas explosion’s aftermath.
His boss, Edward Soldo, general manager of infrastructure and engineering, said the award acknowledges Brown’s “outstanding commitment to the community.”
Brown had the tough challenge of being the municipality’s point person during the Wheatley gas emergency.
“Ryan was the main engineering technical lead dealing with the aftermath of the explosion remediation of the site and many of the complex issues dealing with the gas well,” Soldo said.
Brown said receiving the award was a “great honour,” adding “The community – they’ve been through a lot more than me.”
West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson, a Wheatley resident, said Brown’s efforts were greatly appreciated.
“I’ve seen the impact this has had on your life. The time that you spent away from your family has surely been a very big sacrifice,” she said. “As a resident of Wheatley, I don’t think there is vocabulary in our language to express the gratitude that we have for you.”
Anderson added Brown was able to explain to councillors what was happening in Wheatley as well.
“It made it very easy for us to support the suggestions around this table,” she said.
Brown received the award at the recent Municipal Engineers Association Conference held Nov. 11-14 in London.
