On December 5, 2024, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) hosted its 10th annual Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards ceremony.
A panel of presenters led the celebration for attendees. They were:
- Gilbert Archuleta, NEEA Board Member and Director of Customer Energy Management for Puget Sound Energy
- Mike Colgrove, NEEA Board Chair and Energy Trust of Oregon Executive Director;
- Debbie DePetris, NEEA Board Member and Energy Services Manager for Clark Public Utility District; and,
- Becca Yates, NEEA Executive Director
The event began with Yates reviewing highlights from the previous year's ceremonies. As noted by Yates, each year the awards showcase how the combined power of the region’s efforts help identify solutions for a more efficient future that benefit all who live and work in the Northwest.
JUMP TO: Innovative Collaboration | Chairperson’s | Lifetime Achievement | Video + Photos
2024 Rising Star Award
Presented by DePetris, the Leadership in Energy Efficiency Rising Star Award recognized an emerging leader in energy efficiency whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution to the industry. The winner of the 2024 Rising Star Award was Andrew Barrington of Avista Utilities.
As Avista’s Products and Services Manager, Andrew has been instrumental in reshaping the company's approach to energy efficiency through advanced customer engagement. His leadership has revolutionized how Avista leverages customer data and AI-driven analytics to drive energy efficiency customer outreach.
Andrew's initiatives have benefited high-consumption customers, business owners and high energy-burdened customers. He has formed partnerships with local organizations like Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners and technology providers like Bidgely to make sure that customers struggling with their energy bills receive the support that they need.
Congratulations to Andrew Barrington for receiving the 2024 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Rising Star Award!
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2024 Innovative Collaboration Award
The winner of the Leadership in Energy Efficiency Innovative Collaboration award was then announced by Archuleta – the Creekside Housing Development Project for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. The team consisted of the following individuals: Ryan Webb from the Confederated Tribe of Grand Ronde; Jeni Hall and Scott Leonard from Energy Trust of Oregon; Tamara Anderson from NEEA staff; and Greg Lasher and Casey Phillips of TRC on behalf of Energy Trust.
The Creekside Housing Development Project for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde demonstrates a future of efficient, affordable, healthy and resilient homes. The development was initiated to address the impacts of routine power outages, grid failures, and natural threats like wildfires. The project integrated energy-saving materials and features to minimize electricity use, reduce system load, increase occupant comfort, and limit external noise. This rural property includes eight low-income and 16 market-rate single-family homes for Tribal elders and their families.
Webb accepted the award during the ceremony on behalf of the team.
Congratulations to the Creekside Housing Development Project for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde on receiving the 2024 Innovative Collaboration Award!
JUMP TO: Top | Rising Star | Lifetime Achievement | Video + Photos
2024 Chairperson’s Award
The Chairperson’s Award is decided by NEEA’s Board chair and executive director annually and recognizes individual dedication and commitment to advancing the alliance’s work. The 2024 recipient of the Chairperson’s Award was Susan Hermenet from NEEA staff.
Hermenet joined NEEA staff in 1999 and since has supported significant contributions to the alliance and the region. During her tenure, she has built an unparalleled reporting framework for Market Transformation evaluation, providing a clear measure of NEEA’s return on regional investment that has directly supported the alliance’s continued success. In addition, she launched the End Use Load Research project, the first in the country since 1990, and guided NEEA’s region-wide building stock assessments which have become essential tools to empower utilities and stakeholders in shaping effective Integrated Resource Plans. These are now cornerstone resources that strengthen the alliance’s collective work. The alliance is deeply grateful for her dedication and impact.
Congratulations to Susan Hermenet!
JUMP TO: Top | Rising Star | Innovative Collaboration | Video + Photos
2024 Tom Eckman Lifetime Achievement Award
For the Tom Eckman Lifetime Achievement Award, Colgrove was joined on stage by Tom Eckman to announce the 2024 winner – Nancy Hirsh of the NW Energy Coalition.
For nearly 30 years, Hirsh has been a change agent in advancing comprehensive, innovative and bedrock regulatory and legislative energy efficiency policies and programs in the Northwest. Her leadership extends across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, where she has facilitated a diverse array of organizational, utility, state, and interest groups as a cohesive alliance for more than three decades.
She has advocated for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, guiding the NW Energy Coalition in developing clear, community-forward policies that ensure that the voices of all communities are heard in the region’s energy conversations. Her numerous efforts support the Northwest in achieving energy goals with equity, decarbonization, and affordability at the forefront, ensuring the region benefits from energy efficiency now and into the future.
Congratulations to Nancy Hirsh for receiving this well-deserved award!
JUMP TO: Top | Rising Star | Innovative Collaboration | Chairperson’s
Event Photos + Videos
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the event. Feel free to check out the live recording below, or view the photos from the event on NEEA's Flickr.
Congratulations again to all of the 2024 nominees:
Leadership in Energy Efficiency Rising Star Award:
- Andrew Barrington, Avista Utilities
- Maya Cutforth, NEEA
- Madison Johnson, Ecotope
- Eric Knowles, Solarc Energy Group
- Riley Lynch, Seattle & Bellevue 2030 Districts
- Ruby Moore-Bloom, Clean Energy Transition Institute
- Taylor Pitts, Puget Sound Energy
- Charlee Thompson, Northwest Energy Coalition
Leadership in Energy Efficiency Innovative Collaboration Award:
- Allison Grinczel, Snohomish County PUD
- Avista Utilities Energy Insight Tools: Avista Utilities and Bidgely
- Bayview Tower: Keshmira McVey (lead), Tony Koch and Robert Weber BPA; Ralph Nettles, Seattle Housing Authority; Jon Heller, Madison Johnson and Scott Spielman, Ecotope; Anthony Lambert and Cain White, METUS; Geoff Wickes, NEEA; Patrick Anderson, Brent Kovash, Austin Krank, Dave Morrow and Al Takle, Steffes; Lucie Huang, Seattle City Light; Charlie Rogers, Seattle Office of Housing; Tristan de Frondeville, SkyCentrics
- Best Buy: Hugh Cherne, Jordan Dotson and Andrea Rydberg
- Beth Robinweiler, Puget Sound Energy
- Christopher Dymond, NEEA
- Creekside Housing Development Project for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde: Tamara Anderson, NEEA (lead); Ryan Webb, P.E., Confederated Tribe of Grand Ronde; Jeni Hall and Scott Leonard, Energy Trust of Oregon; Greg Lasher and Casey Phillips TRC (representing Energy Trust)
- Holly Braun, Northwest Natural
- Idaho Power Swan Falls High School Project: Lee Harrison, Axiom; Bryce Parker, Beniton Construction; Jon Breckon, Breckon Land Design; Sheree Willhite, Idaho Power; Brian Smith, J-U-B Engineers; Ron Polintan and Wayne Thowless, LKV Architects; Bill Carter and Kurt Lechtenberg, Musgrove Engineering
- Jim White, Chelan County PUD
- Joint Stakeholder Recommendations for Water Heater Standards: Jeff Harris, Emily Rosenbloom, Aaron Winer, Geoff Wickes, NEEA; Meg Waltner, Energy 350; Suzanne Foster Porter, Kannah Consulting; Ben Larson, Larson Energy Research; Vicki Fulbright, Redcliff Writing Hood
- Lis Saunders, Tacoma Power
- Nationwide Marketing Group: Kaleb Behm and Frank Sandtner
- Northwestern Energy Heat Pump Water Heater Program: Whitney Jurenic and Danie Williams Northwestern Energy
- Residential Building Stock Assessment Work Group: Leona Haley, Avista Utilities; Joan Wang, Bonneville Power Administration; Jodie Albert and Caleb Reimer, Cascade Natural Gas; Debbie DePetris and Trevor Frick, Clark County PUD; Dan Rubado, former employee of Energy Trust; Landon Barber, Idaho Power and Kathy Yi, former employee of Idaho Power; Haixiao Huang, NW Natural; Christian Douglass, Northwest Power and Conservation Council; Laura James, PacifiCorp; Jesse Durst, Puget Sound Energy; Josh Rushton, Regional Technical Forum (Contract Analysts); Jessica Kenyon, Seattle City Light; Sinh Tran, Snohomish County PUD
- Sheree Willhite, Idaho Power Company
- Vision Profile Extrusions LLLC Upgrade Team: Ryan Heron (lead), PNW Energy Group and John Petosa, Snohomish County PUD
- Wendy Gibson, Stillwater Energy
Tom Eckman Leadership in Energy Efficiency Lifetime Achievement Award:
- Ralph Cavanagh, formerly with Natural Resources Defense Council
- Susan Grant Harris, New Buildings Institute
- Nancy Hirsh, NW Energy Coalition
- Tom Hovde, Snohomish County PUD
- Duane Jonlin, Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
- Brent Lee, NAYA Family Center
- Debbie Menashe, Energy Trust of Oregon
- Brady Peeks, Northwest Energy Works Inc.
- Dr. Jane Peters, Jane S. Peters Advising
- Geoff Wickes, NEEA
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