District Energy - 2007 Second Quarter

Chairman’s
Message

Alittle less than a year ago I became your chairman, and I cannot believe how fast the year has gone by. I thank all of you, our membership and our board of directors, for your support. Your volunteer efforts make our organization what it is today, and we can all be proud of it.

A year ago I set my theme “Setting the Pace, Leading the Way,” and I believe our organization is doing just that. This year we took one of our largest steps ever by starting a new Middle East Chapter. In January, IDEA held its first international cooling conference in Abu Dhabi.

Hosted by the new chapter, the conference was an international gathering for knowledge exchange, attracting almost 350 people from more than 20 countries. I sincerely thank Dany Safi of Tabreed for his dedication to its success. As for IDEA, we can now live up to the organization’s name!

The campus conference this year highlighted emergency preparedness. I extend my thanks to Technical Chair Lynn Crawford from Carter & Burgess for a strong and highly appropriate technical program. I also thank hosts Thermal Energy Corp. and Rice University for making us feel welcome in Houston and opening up their facilities for technical tours.

This year’s annual conference June 17-20 is in Scottsdale, Ariz., hosted by one of our leading district cooling utilities, Northwind Phoenix. The conference will be at The Hyatt at Gainey Ranch, a world-class resort not far from the district cooling facilities in downtown Phoenix. It will be an ideal opportunity to bring the whole family and enjoy the Arizona sunshine. Remember, it’s a dry heat!

Finally, in keeping with our theme, the past year’s energy and global climate change events have made IDEA more relevant than ever. Our organization stands for energy efficiency, reliability, sustainability, distribution and generation, and we are now being recognized for it in Washington, D.C., Paris and other parts of the world. We are committed to having a greater voice in future energy policy and making sure your efficiency efforts are recognized and, where appropriate, rewarded with investment incentives.

I mentioned in my first chairman’s message that we would maintain the focus on our strategic plan started under Anders Rydaker. I can report that progress continues in four focus areas: Grow Membership, Be the Go-To Resource, Increase IDEA Influence and Strengthen Operations.

First, since August we have grown our membership by 101, including our new Middle East members. Second, we continue to grow our reputation as a global resource by archiving technical solutions and drafting our District Cooling Best Practice Guide. Third, we continue growing our influence by actively participating and sharing knowledge on energy efficiency and climate change with key participants worldwide. Fourth, we continue to strengthen our operations as our conferences, the financial lifeblood of our organization, continue to set attendance records.

These accomplishments would not be possible without our members’ volunteer efforts and the dedication of our board of directors and IDEA staff. Thank you to all of our members who have volunteered their time to ensure our organization’s success. And thank you to our board that has so ably guided IDEA’s direction this past year. Finally, thank you to Rob, Dina, Tanya and Laxmi who actually run the organization’s day-to-day operations smoothly so many of us can focus on the organization’s future opportunities.

It also is time to offer a very special thanks to outgoing board members. It has been a pleasure working with them. To Gordon Apperley, University of British Columbia, who constantly offers a common sense approach to our many issues we face in guiding the organization. To Lynn Crawford,

Carter & Burgess, who has consistently volunteered for committees, speaking engagements, and most recently, campus technical chair. In addition, I thank Lynn and his company for their generous sponsorships of our board meetings and our conferences. To Jim Lodge, Northwind Phoenix, whose understated leadership is always respected by all and who is the general chair and host of this year’s annual conference. To Ferman Milster, University of Iowa, for his dedicated service in leading our industry and association forward. To David Leach, Thermal Science Technologies, whose strong business partner and international leadership support I have greatly appreciated. And to Rick Pucak, Akron Thermal, who so graciously agreed to stay on another year to provide the necessary leadership continuity to the board.

There is one last person leaving our board and the executive committee: Cheryl Gomez, University of Virginia, who has tirelessly devoted herself to IDEA’s success. She has continuously led with skill and an open mind as our organization has evolved, providing the proper leadership for each new opportunity. I thank her for her support this past year as I have encouraged and pursued our international growth efforts. She has been a constant source of ideas and energy and will be sorely missed. Cheryl, I wish you well as you start your new personal educational endeavors and as you continue your career at UVA.

Finally, I want to introduce Bob Smith of RMF Engineering, who succeeds me as chairman of this great organization. Bob has already volunteered much of his time by spearheading the compilation of IDEA’s archives and twice serving as technical chair. He is a solid leader, and I offer whatever support he may need in the coming year.

As I close, it has truly been a pleasure serving all of you. I leave feeling we are well on our way to “Setting the Pace, Leading the Way.” I look forward to seeing you in Scottsdale. Please travel safely.