National Ground Water Association (NGWA), founded as the National Water Well Association in 1948, promotes the training of ground water professionals, offering members short courses, workshops, and educational materials. It also conducts annual trade shows. The organization includes contractor, scientist and engineer, manufacturer, and wholesale distributor membership divisions. NGWA also encompasses geothermal energy, ground water modeling, wellhead protection, transboundary aquifer, and other special interest groups. The association is a member or associate member of the Geological Society of America, the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, the Global Water Partnership, the Water Systems Council, and other organizations. It has affiliates in 47 states and supports 15,000 members. NGWA has signed mutual cooperation agreements with international ground water hydrology, well drilling, and other associations. The organization manages a museum and an information center. Its National Ground Water Research & Educational Foundation supports lectures and public information studies. It also awards scholarships. NGWA publishes the 'Ground Water' academic journal and the 'Ground Water & Remediation' quarterly technical journal. The organization has won recognition from the American Society of Association Executives. Its publications have won recognition from the American Society of Business Publication Editors and Communications Concepts. NGWA has a budget of $7 million. The organization is based in Westerville, Ohio. Kevin B. McCray serves as its executive director.