Congratulations to the 2023 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Award Winners and Nominees!
In an ongoing effort to enhance collaboration and innovation within the Northwest, it is important to recognize individuals and teams for their exemplary dedication, enthusiasm, and performance in furthering energy efficiency across the region and beyond. The Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards ceremony aims to do just that. On December 4, 2023, NEEA's Board of Directors and staff presented the winners of four awards via a hybrid ceremony:
- 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 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Award for Innovative Collaboration - Recognizes outstanding achievement by individuals, groups, and/or organizations in creating, using or promoting innovative solutions to collaborate that help the region achieve more energy efficiency.
- The Tom Eckman Lifetime Achievement in Energy Efficiency Award - Recognizes outstanding achievement of an individual whose career has greatly contributed to energy efficiency in the Northwest.
- The Chairperson's Award - appointed by NEEA's Board Chair and Executive Director and recognizes individual dedication and effective, long-term commitment to advancing energy efficiency.
This year’s ceremony also included a posthumous recognition of the contributions of Dr. Tina Jayaweera, senior advisor in the power division for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
Have questions? Get answers below:
Eligibility:
Individuals, organizations, group/teams, programs, and projects that reside in or directly benefit the Northwest are eligible. This includes any public or privately owned utilities, government agencies, community organizations, or regional energy efficiency organizations, non-profits, or contractors. Individuals may nominate themselves.
**If submitting a team, group or organization for a nomination, please ensure anyone who should be recognized for the award is included in your submission**
Deadline:
Submissions are due by September 15, 2023.
Judging and Criteria:
A panel of energy efficiency leaders from throughout the Northwest will review the submissions and select the winners based on the following criteria. Please note that the more specific nominations are in terms of project details, timing, and results, the more information our judges will have to properly evaluate the entry.
The Rising Star Award
This award recognizes an emerging leader in energy efficiency whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution to the industry. The recipient is a dynamic individual who brings talent, drive and creativity to the field and demonstrates strong leadership qualities. They are just beginning their energy efficiency journey, with 5 years or less experience in the industry and have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the future of energy efficiency. There is no age definition for the recipient of this award.
The Innovative Collaboration Award
This award recognizes outstanding achievement by individuals, groups, and/or organizations in creating, using or promoting innovative solutions to collaborate that help the region achieve more energy efficiency. The recipient of this award demonstrates the following characteristics:
- Places regional or team goals above personal goals.
- Demonstrates innovative problem solving - seizes an opportunity that delivers value or satisfies an existing need more effectively than alternative technologies or solutions.
- Creates team environment, is respectful of differences, solicits diverse views, builds consensus, shares knowledge and promotes knowledge sharing, maintains positive attitude, effectively engages team.
- Drives new ideas and welcomes new team members or groups.
The Tom Eckman Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of an individual whose career has greatly contributed to the advancement of energy efficiency in the Northwest.
The Chairperson's Award
An honor bestowed by NEEA’s Board chair and executive director in recognition of individual dedication and effective, long-term commitment to advancing energy efficiency.
Additional Details
Recipients, nominees and energy efficiency professionals across the region will be invited to the award ceremony during the first day of NEEA's Annual Meeting in December.