46. Terence Hopper

As head of plant maintenance at Nassau County’s vitally important Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant—which handles upwards of 70 million gallons of the county’s sewage and wastewater per day—it’s safe to say Hopper wields a substantial amount of influence over the well-being of all Nassau residents. Hopper’s true recognition here, however, comes from his risking everything—his job, his career and his own personal safety (he received death threats)—to speak up about what had been going on inside the plant and kept from the public. Critical methane gas valves had been inoperable for years, despite its two closest neighbors being elementary schools. Workers were abused; money went missing. With much still to remedy, repairs are underway due in no small part to his whistle-blowing. Hopper is the epitome of the power of everyday people speaking up about the truth.