News & events : Energy Initiative Leaders

Press Release: Energy Initiative Leaders Recognized for Industry Expertise

For Immediate Release
   Media Contact:
   Mark Treichel
   Hoffman York
   414.225.9554
   mtreichel@hyc.com

Energy Initiative Leaders Recognized for Industry Expertise
WECC staff members appointed to industry association boards

MADISON, Wis. (March 30, 2009) - Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC), a national leader in the design and implementation of award-winning energy savings programs, announce the appointments of Mary Woolsey Schlaefer and Sara Van de Grift to two industry association boards. The positions will allow each party to work collaboratively with outside organizations and extend their industry expertise - further positioning WECC as a leading voice regarding energy initiatives.

Mary Woolsey Schlaefer - The Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (WGBA)
Mary Woolsey Schlaefer, Executive Director for WECC, was appointed to the WGBA for a two-year term. The WGBA helps facilitate and promote the development and use of ecologically sustainable materials and practices within Wisconsin's built environment.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to serve on the WGBA board," said Schlaefer. "It will give me a great opportunity to apply my experience in strategic planning, as well as the industry knowledge I've gained at WECC, to help support WGBA's mission of promoting sustainable building practices in Wisconsin."

Schlaefer provides general oversight of more than 35 regional, state and national contracts for consulting and energy services in more than 10 states, in her role a Executive Director of WECC. In that role, Schlaefer has lead WECC's continuing emphasis on innovative program design and effective collaboration to promote sustainable building practices.

One such program is the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR^® Homes Program, which works to increase consumer demand for energy efficient new homes while educating builders and contractors on best practices for energy efficient construction by providing valuable information, testing and certification services. WECC is also housed in a LEED Gold certified building and serves as a LEED for Homes Provider as well as a training affiliate for the Building Performance Institute Inc. - both accreditation programs help certify, educate and train builders, contractors and technicians.

Sara Van de Grift - Association of Energy Service Professionals (AESP)
Sara Van de Grift, Director of Residential Programs for WECC, was elected to the AESP board for a three-year term. AESP is a member-based association dedicated to improving the delivery and implementation of energy efficiency, energy management and distributed renewable resources. Her experience developing a portfolio of programs that achieve substantial energy savings, working with multiple implementation subcontractors and customers, collaborating with Wisconsin's utility partners and identifying new program opportunities, provide a breadth of experience to help lead and provide strategic direction to the AESP.

A member of the AESP since 2003, Van de Grift is extending her role with the association to further provide insight and strategy. Her appointment is based on experience overseeing all of WECC's residential programs operating throughout the Midwest, including the award-winning Focus on Energy Program in Wisconsin and the many ongoing programs WECC runs for government and utility clients. As a member of the AESP Board of Directors, Van de Grift has special interest in educating and providing strategy for innovative new program approaches and delivering quantifiable and persistent energy savings.

Characteristic of Van de Grift's vision and leadership capacity, she was also elected as the vice-chair of topic committees. Topic committees offer industry professionals the opportunity to participate in in-depth discussion and investigation of topics that cover a broad range of interest areas in the energy services field.

The boards of both the AESP and WGBA strive to appoint members that represent a cross section of the different sectors of the association.

For more information about WECC, call 800.969.9322 or visit weccusa.org.

About the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation is a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wis. Established in 1980, WECC is a national leader in designing and implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that partner with private businesses to deliver value to consumers. It champions innovative energy initiatives that deliver short- and long-term economic and environmental benefits to consumers, businesses and policy makers. For more information about WECC, call 800.969.9322 or visit weccusa.org.

###