2025 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards Ceremony Recap

On December 8, 2025, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) hosted its annual Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards ceremony, celebrating the individuals and organizations whose work is shaping a more resilient energy future for the Northwest.

The event was led by a distinguished panel of presenters:

• Gilbert Archuleta, NEEA Board Vice Chair and Director of Customer Energy Management for Puget Sound Energy
• Kellye Dundon, NEEA Board Member and Environmental Policy Manager at NW Natural
• Quentin Nesbitt, NEEA Board Member and Customer Research and Analysis Leader at Idaho Power Company
• Jamae Hilliard Creecy, NEEA Board Chair and Executive Vice President of Business Management and Development at Bonneville Power Administration; and,
• Becca Yates, NEEA Executive Director

After the presenter introductions, the ceremony shifted to honoring the remarkable work happening across the region. From cutting-edge research to community-driven programs, this year’s nominees showcased how collaboration and creativity are driving real progress in energy efficiency. Their efforts reflect the shared commitment that defines the Northwest energy community, which Becca Yates highlighted in her opening remarks:

Presented by Archuleta, the Leadership in Energy Efficiency Rising Star Award recognizes an emerging leader in energy efficiency whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution to the industry.

The recipient of the 2025 Rising Star Award was April Cannon of ASK Energy.

Cannon has quickly become a recognized leader in her field. She plays an active role in both regional and national efforts to support professional growth, serving as Chapter Secretary and Planning Committee Co-Chair for the Northwest Strategic Energy Management Collaborative, and as Co-Chair of the Women in Energy Committee at the Association of Energy Services Professionals. Her creativity, drive, and collaborative spirit are helping shape the future of the energy efficiency workforce.

Congratulations to April Cannon for receiving the 2025 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Rising Star Award!

Presented by Dundon, the Leadership in Energy Efficiency Innovative Collaboration Award honors outstanding achievement in creating, using, or promoting innovative solutions that strengthen collaboration and help the region achieve greater efficiency.

The recipient of the 2025 Innovative Collaboration Award was Holly Braun of NW Natural.

Braun co-founded and co-leads the Utility Networked Geothermal Collaborative (UNGC), which has grown from a small group of 10 utilities in 2022 to a network of more than 30 organizations across North America. She has built strong partnerships with leading geothermal organizations and created a space for utilities to share insights and practices.

Braun’s ability to bring people together and guide meaningful conversations has made her a trusted convener and a driving force behind new approaches to regional collaboration that are advancing thermal infrastructure as well as natural gas and dual-fuel energy efficiency.

Congratulations to Holly Braun for receiving the 2025 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Innovative Collaboration Award!

Presented by Nesbitt, the Tom Eckman Leadership in Energy Efficiency Award for Lifetime Achievement recognizes an individual whose career has made a profound and lasting contribution to advancing energy efficiency in the Northwest.

The recipient of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award was Ken Robinette of South Central Community Action Partnership.

For more than 45 years, Robinette has worked to improve homes and lives across Southern and Central Idaho through weatherization and energy efficiency programs. He has shared his knowledge widely, serving on boards and advisory groups to represent the needs of rural communities.

Even after retiring in 2024, Ken continues to lead Home Energy Management, a subsidiary he helped launch to support SCCAP’s mission of helping residents with rent, utilities, food, and heating costs. His leadership and dedication have left a lasting mark both locally and nationally.

Congratulations to Ken Robinette for receiving the 2025 Tom Eckman Leadership in Energy Efficiency Award for Lifetime Achievement!

Presented by Yates and Hilliard Creecy, the Chairperson’s award recipient is determined each year by NEEA’s Board Chair and Executive Director and recognizes individual dedication and commitment to advancing the alliance’s work.

The recipient of the 2025 Chairperson’s Award was John Hairston, Administrator and CEO of Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

Since joining BPA in 1991, Hairston has held roles spanning energy efficiency, peak load management, and executive leadership, culminating in his appointment as Administrator and CEO in 2021. Throughout his career, he has championed BPA’s mission to deliver reliable, efficient, and economical power, supporting efforts to reduce energy waste and working closely with BPA’s customers and constituents.

Hairston’s long-standing commitment to advancing energy conservation and transforming markets for the benefit of consumers across the Northwest reflects a career grounded in practical, collaborative solutions and public service. His leadership continues to influence how the region approaches energy planning, customer engagement, and long-term resource management.

Congratulations to John Hairston for receiving the 2025 Chairperson’s Award!

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the event. Missed it or want to relive the celebration? The full ceremony recording and event photos are available below.

Congratulations again to the 2025 Nominees:

Leadership in Energy Efficiency Rising Star Award:

1. Lydia Bazikos, Bellevue 2030 District (formerly)
2. April Cannon, ASK Energy
3. Rebeca Enriquez, NW Natural
4. Kim Stevens, Puget Sound Energy
5. Joseph Wachunas, New Building Institute

Leadership in Energy Efficiency Award for Innovative Collaboration:

1. Holly Braun, NW Natural
2. Clean Buildings Accelerator Program: Katie Costley, Puget Sound Energy; Amy Fowler, City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment; Graham Goodman, Seattle City Light; Kelsey Lewis, Snohomish PUD
3. Cyrus Collins, Evergreen Consulting Group
4. Lindsey Diercksen, LD Consulting
5. Ecotope: Omer Ali, Jon Heller, Henry Odum and Scott Spielman
6. Empower Me: Hana Gregory, Francesca Hays, Ihsan Kassa, and Nasiya Odawa, Kambo Energy Group
7. Garden Park Apartment Project: Shelly Carlton, Energy Trust of Oregon; Adam Gage and Neil Grigsby, NEEA; Ben and Sam Larson, Larson Energy Research; Rick Hodges, Portland General Electric; Trisha Paul, Amarna Energy (Energy Trust Subcontractor); David West, Innovative Housing Inc.;
8. High-Performance, High-Capacity Heat Pump project: Jamie Anthony, Debra Bristow, Amy Burke, Mike Cohan, Nathan Kelly, Tony Koch, and Keshmira McVey, Bonneville Power Administration; John Bush and Regina Hong, OTS Energy; Matt Booth, Washington State University Energy Program; Bob Davis, Ecotope; Erin Connor, KEEL Energy; Christopher Dymond and Aaron James, NEEA; Ben Larson, Larson Energy Research;
9. Michael Ivanovich, AMCA
10. Jaguar Land Rover at Redfox Commons: Jim Brown, Instant Group; Nathan Clark, Fortis Construction; Samra Egger, Cummings Group; Beth Jamieson, Brightworks Sustainability; Anna Langley, Langley Investment; Kelsey Loverro and Amalia Mohr (project lead), LRS Architects; Paul Rathbone, Jaguar Land Rover
11. Perry Technical Institute: “Building Our Future” Scholarship Fundraising Campaign
12. Andrea Rydberg, Best Buy
13. Seattle City Light Midstream HVAC+ Open Q Proposal Team: Lynea Baudino and Tiffany Brundage, Seattle City Light; Lars Henrikson (formerly Seattle City Light)
14. Snohomish PUD Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program: Jerusha Bond, Washington Energy Services; Joe Fairey, Harts Plumbing; Allison Grinczel (project lead), Snohomish PUD; Tom Hagar, Washington Water Heaters; Michael Hoag, Albert Lee; Garett Valenzuela, C+C; Mike Kirk, Fast Water Heat; David Richardson, Judd & Black
15. Prerna Tomar, Samsung Electronics America
16. The Eugene Mission Weatherization Project: Sheryl Balthrop and Rustin Roundy, The Eugene Mission; Esteban Montero Chacon and Marc Hashagen, Homes for Good; Steve Divan and Danielle Stafford, Oregon Housing and Community Services; Rebeca Enriquez and Tavia Henley-Storm, NW Natural; Bill Hough, Eugene Water & Electric Board;  
17. Tom Smith, Puget Sound Energy
18. University of Washington’s Center for Integrated Design: Heather Burpee, Chris Meek and Teresa Moroseos, University of Washington Integrated Design Lab
19. Washington State Capitol Campus Decarbonization Report: Justin Burwinkle, Lauren Donley, Veronica Guerrero, Scott McVey and Justin Pape, Millig Design Build; Jon Lyons, Roby Poche and Oliver Wu, Washington Department of Enterprise Services
20. Washington State Department of Commerce Clean Buildings Team: Dillon Ackerman, Annalyn Bergin, Luke Howard, Jeff Rasmussen, Emily Salzberg and Donny Westfall

Tom Eckman Leadership in Energy Efficiency Lifetime Achievement Award:

1. Rob Boteler, Electrical Apparatus Service Association, Inc. (EASA)
2. Bruce Manclark, Earth Advantage
3. Ken Robinette, South Central Community Action Partnership (SCCAP)
4. Dan Wildenhaus, Center for Energy and Environment

Discover More About the Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards

Thank you for joining in to celebrate the achievements of the Northwest’s regional leaders in energy efficiency. To learn more about the awards, including nomination categories, eligibility requirements, and information on prior winners, visit the Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards page. 

Learn More About the Awards

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NEEA is an alliance of more than 140 utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of over 14.5 million energy consumers across the four Northwest states.

Since 1996, NEEA has taken a market-driven approach to energy efficiency that is grounded in data, collaboration, and rigorous evaluation. NEEA works to transform markets by filling information gaps and identifying and removing barriers so that the market can align around evolving electric and natural gas energy efficiency needs.

Media Contact:
Carolyn VanWinkle, NEEA