Clean Energy Champion of the Year

Clean Tech Business of the Year Awardees Recognized
at Annual Member Holiday Dinner

Clean Energy Champion Award Winner, Tony Giunta (middle), poses with Clean Energy NH Staff (from left to right): Henry Herndon, Executive Director Madeleine Mineau, Brianna Brand, and Michael Behrmann. Photo credit: Clean Energy NH.

Clean Energy NH, the Granite State’s leading clean energy advocate and educator, held its third annual Member Holiday Dinner on December 11 and announced the winners of its annual awards.

The event was held at the law offices of member firm Sheehan Phinney in Manchester and welcomed members from the state’s most distinguished clean technology companies ranging from renewable energy generation, engineering, consulting, energy efficiency, legal, financial, and beyond. Over sixty members gathered at the sold-out dinner to network and recap the state’s challenges and successes in 2019.

The highlight of the event was the award ceremony, during which the nominees and winners were announced.

The Clean Energy Champion of the Year Award was established in 2017. The award is presented annually to a Clean Energy NH member who has gone above-and-beyond in support and engagement with the organization and demonstrates leadership in the transition to a clean energy future. Nominees included Chris Skoglund of the NH Department of Environmental Services, Julia Griffin, Manager of the Town of Hanover, Lebanon City Councilor Clifton Below, and the winner, Tony Giunta of The Nobis Group and Mayor of the City of Franklin. For over 20 years, Tony Giunta has made renewable energy a priority. Throughout his career Tony has been a tireless advocate for vital state- level clean energy policies, including the expansion of the net metering cap.

“I’m very grateful and honored to receive this prestigious award from such a distinguished dedicated organization,” said Giunta. “My continuing drive to move New Hampshire toward a clean energy future has been a multi-team effort of which my co-workers at The Nobis Group and staff at Clean Energy NH have played a significant role. Again, my sincerest thanks to Clean Energy NH for this humbling recognition.”

The Clean Tech Business of the Year Award, also established in 2017, is presented annually to a Clean Energy NH business demonstrating excellence in the clean tech industry sector and support of Clean Energy NH’s mission through engagement with the organization and commitment to their work. Nominees for the award included GDS Associates with offices in Manchester, Froling Energy of Peterborough, and Barrington Power of Barrington, and the winner, Affinity LED Lighting of Dover, NH. Affinity LED Lighting has helped 40 NH cities and towns save money by converting to LED streetlights, and employs veterans at their Dover, NH office.

Also at the event, Clean Energy NH recognized Ted Vansant of New England Commercial Solar Services, with a special Distinguished Leadership and Service Award. Vansant served as Board Chair for two 3-year terms and is stepping down at the end of 2019, handing the Chair position to fellow Board member Charlie Niebling of Innovative Natural Resources Solutions.

“I have been honored to serve as Clean Energy NH’s Board Chair to witness the organization’s growth and expansion over the past several years. With the magnitude of the issues that clean energy addresses only rising in significance, Clean Energy NH is well-poised to make a lasting impact for a stronger NH economy and healthier future for our citizens, and I look forward to remaining involved and supportive of this important work,” said Vansant.

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