Seven outstanding leaders from the private sector, academia, and government will receive the Champions of Energy Efficiency in Industry Award today from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
The Champions are recognized for their accomplishments helping improve energy efficiency in the industrial sector. An ACEEE Board of Directors committee selected the winners, nominated by peers, for their impact, innovation, and leadership in reducing energy waste and advancing sustainability.
The awards will be presented at the biennial Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry, a convening of more than 250 experts.
“This is a group of energy efficiency superstars,” said Mitchell Simpson, chair of the awards committee and director of the Arkansas Energy Office. “The remarkable leadership of each of these individuals is bringing about a stronger, more up-to-date industrial sector. We are inspired by this year’s winners and delighted to recognize their considerable achievements in driving greater efficiency in industry.”
The 2025 winners in this year’s six categories are:
| Rob Morton, Cascade Energy, retired (Lifetime Achievement): For more than 30 years of contributions to industrial energy efficiency for corporations and utilities, providing creativity, accountability, mentorship, and leadership. | |
| Sharon Nolen, Eastman, retired (Lifetime Achievement): For a career providing leadership on industrial energy efficiency at Eastman Chemicals and serving as mentor and providing leadership to the broader industrial community helping to establish a durable sustainable energy movement in the United States. | |
| Elizabeth Dutrow, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, retired (Industrial Leadership): For a career that established and led the EPA ENERGY STAR Industry program, supporting leaders and companies in embracing policies and practices that manage energy as a controllable cost and focus on continuous improvement. | |
| Eric Masanet, Professor and Mellichamp Chair of Sustainability Science for Emerging Technologies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (Research and Development): For research and innovation that is among the most cited and impactful in the areas of industrial energy efficiency, sustainability, and decarbonization, accompanied by decades of teaching and mentorship. | |
| Ethan Rogers, Director of Government Relations, Nidec Corporation (Energy Policy): For leadership in helping promote and support strategic energy management in the industrial sector and creating sustainable policies and programs to support the practice. | |
| Jagan Pillai, Senior Technical Program Manager, HVAC Emerging Tech and MEP Scope 3, at Amazon (Implementation and Deployment): For advancement in systems-level approach to decarbonization that rethinks how industrial operations achieve deep energy savings and commitment to advancing next-generation HVAC technologies across the industry. | |
| Shahil Patel, Manager of Energy Services at PSE&G (Young Professional): For playing a pivotal role in advancing energy efficiency by cultivating strong partnerships with large-scale energy consumers and providing strategic leadership and collaboration to drive measurable energy savings and long-term sustainability across New Jersey. |
