their outstanding performance in the district energy industry
during the past year. The honors included IDEA’s 2008 System
of the Year, Norman R. Taylor and Unsung Hero awards.
During the banquet, Smith also recognized outgoing IDEA
board members for their outstanding service to the association:
Photo Universal Image, Orlando.
Cliff Braddock, director of business development at Austin Energy, received
IDEA’s Unsung Hero Award from Bob Smith. Presented to individuals who
continually go beyond the call of duty, the award recognizes Braddock’s many
contributions to the organization and his enthusiasm and ability to advance
the industry.
Photo Universal Image, Orlando.
Representing the System of the Year review committee, Ray DuBose presents
IDEA’s 2008 System of the Year to Northwind Phoenix. Accepting the award
were Jim Lodge, general manager of Northwind Phoenix LLC and vice president of APS Energy Services (center), and David Stoppenbrink, Northwind
Phoenix’s director of operations (right). As the top honor IDEA can bestow on
a district energy system, this award recognizes exemplary system performance and service furthering the goals of the industry.
Bill Verge, University of Michigan; Ken Clark, recently retired
from Burns & McDonnell Engineering; and Gary Rugel, director
of global thermal storage and district energy, EVAPCO. Smith
also acknowledged Laxmi Rao, IDEA director of international
programs, for her key contributions in securing and managing
important grant awards for IDEA, which have helped the association expand and serve, moving from strategy to action.
Photo Universal Image, Orlando.
David Toombs, general manager of Citizens Thermal Energy, Indianapolis,
Ind., was honored with IDEA’s ‘person of the year’ Norman R. Taylor Award,
presented by Bob Smith. Standing for excellence in leadership, the award
recognizes its recipient’s career achievements and contributions to IDEA
and the district energy and CHP industries.
Photo Universal Image, Orlando.
Solar Turbines was voted Best in Show by conference trade show exhibitors.
Bob Smith presented the award to Claudette Harris, director of marketing
communications, at Tuesday night’s banquet.
Evaluating and Moving Forward
Following the conference, attendees provided some positive feedback about their experience:
“We have an excellent group. The knowledge base is huge,
and I learn so much each time I attend. Not just in sessions.”
“Keep up the good work.”
“All in all it was a really good conference at an excellent
location. I’d be eager to attend again.”
Some conference survey respondents asked why IDEA
would decide to visit Orlando in June and Boston in February,
instead of vice versa, given the respective weather conditions.
Actually there is a rationale for that decision: It’s a lot more
cost-effective to book a hotel at off-season rates. Doing so
allows IDEA access to much nicer properties than it – or its
attendees – could likely afford otherwise.
IDEA members will have the opportunity to gather once
again – this time in Washington, D.C. – for the organization’s
100th Annual Conference & Trade Show “Local Energy, Global
Solution” June 28-July 1, 2009. Mark your calendars now!
