Doug Wagner Wins 2022 John Ivey Award for Superior Efforts In Certification

This award was established by the ASFPM Board of Directors in 2001 to recognize exceptional efforts to promote the professional certification of floodplain managers.

2022 Winner: Doug Wagner, CFM, Senior Water Planner for Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water

“What does it mean to be a CFM?”

This question was posed surreptitiously to Doug Wagner earlier this year. He didn’t know it was for his nomination, but here’s what he said, in part:

 “Being a CFM demonstrates to others that I hold myself to a set of higher standards, observe ethical standards when making floodplain management decisions and consistently participate in continuing education for the NFIP & Floodplain Management. It means collaboration with other CFMs when unusual events and circumstances arise….”

These past two years would certainly qualify as quote “unusual events and circumstances” but Wagner didn’t let it deter his education and outreach efforts. He just had to rethink how he could accomplish his goals, despite everyone working remotely.

And so, he developed a series of online webinars and it opened them up to floodplain managers, local elected officials, architects, engineers, surveyors, developers, home builders and contractors. The result? More than three times as many people attended than usual. 

Wagner earned his Certified Floodplain Manager certificate in 2014 and remains a practicing CFM, working to serve the people throughout his state. In addition to presenting webinars, he serves as the Editor of WATERLINES, the DNR Water Division’s quarterly newsletter, was a contributor to the state’s updated Floodplain Administrator’s Guidebook and Post Flood Guidance for Local Floodplain Administrators.