Next Gen Energy Champion Nominees
Entrepreneurs for Sustainability
November 2005

• Joe Pustai & Lisa Hong *winner*
• Renee Benjamin
• Dr. Phillip Taylor
• Aaron Godwin
• Katya Chistik & Christina Panowska

*winner* Champion: Joe Pustai & Lisa Hong, eQuest *winner*
Nominated by: Herb Crowther, Midwest Biofuels
Joe Pustai and Lisa Hong have sustainability woven into everything they do. Not only do they "walk the talk" with the services they provide through eQuest, their involvement in conservation-related civic and professional organizations, and promotion of fledgling sources of renewable energy is always enthusiastic and thoughtful. In Northeast Ohio eQuest is the premier provider of holistic and energy-efficient mechanical system designs, and strategies that create value by integrating financial, ecological and community investment decisions. Their work builds bridges between established businesses and economic development opportunities and sustainability-driven innovation.
Joe and/or Lisa have had a hand in founding or expanding the Cleveland Green Building Coalition, Green Energy Ohio and Sustainable Cities. Joe is currently Chairman of the Board at the Cleveland Green Building Coalition. Lisa serves on Leadership Cleveland Focus Projects, the Sustainable Cleveland Corporate Roundtable and the Visiting Committee of CSU Nance College of Business. Serving on the board of NorTech, Lisa brings a renewable energy perspective to Nortech`s regional technology vision. Joe and Lisa are consummate networkers connecting people, concepts and initiatives to improve the quality of life in our community and minimize our collective energy footprint.

Champion: Renee Benjamin, Cuyahoga County
Nominated by: Katya Chistik, Sustainable Cleveland
I’ve attended a few of the Association of Energy Engineers meetings, and have been impressed by the way that a really diverse group (read: not all “enviros”!) come together to learn about efficiency and other “green” energy practices. Renee also serves on the Board of the African-American Museum, which has a solar power installation, and has struggled to keep its doors open. In a male- and Caucasian-driven field, Renee is a local champion. Renee also was one of the co-organizers of the May 2005 Energy Efficiency Conference at CSU, at what Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones was a keynote.

Champion: Dr. Philip Taylor
Nominated by: Erika W., REpower Solutions
I would like to nominate Dr. Philip Taylor as a Champion of Sustainability. He is an excellent example of an earlier adopter that pushes the envelope based on what he believes in.
I first met Dr. Philip Taylor as a Physics professor at Case Western Reserve University over 10 years ago. He probably doesn’t remember, but I do.
I have come to know Dr. Taylor again in recent years as a renewable energy advocate. I have learned about his commitment to renewable energy through his example and perseverance. Several years ago, Dr. Taylor was already working to implement solar energy at his Cleveland Heights home. His commitment is an excellent demonstration of the impact someone can have. After years of living with a solar electric system, he continues to promote and share his enthusiasm with others as a site on the Ohio Solar Tour. As a solar energy consumer, he offers his positive experience and great expertise as an example for the many people. Now that I am professionally involved in the renewable energy field, I hear more about the positive solar vibes Dr. Taylor sends out from the infected parties I encounter as customers and advocates. It is refreshing to notice a wonderful person doing good work to move renewable energy toward regularity.
Thanks Dr. Taylor.

Champion: AAron Godwin
Nominated by: Gary Cole, Blue Sky Energy
Aaron has been committed to implementing aspects of sustainable energy through out his career. He started with a degree in appropriate technology and worked on several energy conscious green building projects. He worked as exhibit operations manager at the Great Lakes Science Center for years and pushed hard for implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency. He worked as consultant on design and construction of the energy displays at the Metropark’s Lake Farmpark through his own company, the Renaissance Group, an Appropriate Technology think tank.
Since leaving the GLSC, his most recent project was project manager for the hugely successful Green Energy Ohio wind monitoring tower construction project atop the Cleveland water intake crib 3 miles offshore. (You can see the tower with the naked eye out on the water). In addition to his business projects, Aaron has both served as a GEO board member, and has been a tireless volunteer in the field with past GEO wind monitoring efforts around the state. While Aaron lives sustainability to its fullest, his focus on energy makes him one the leaders in the State.

Champion: Christina Panoska & Katya Chistik, Green Energy Ohio
Nominated by: Elaine Barnes, Cleveland Green Building Coalition
I would also like to nominate Green Energy Ohio`s Christina Panowska and Katya Chistik (together) in the energy category for the award. When the technically oriented SEED (NEOHIO) merged with the grass-roots driven OREO (Columbus area) there were many challenges the organization faced. GEO had great leadership in Bill Sprately but was in need of support staff that would help create programs that would appeal to the general public, create revenue, be replicable, and provide value to the entire state. With the program management of Christina in Columbus and Katya in Cleveland, GEO was able to make this dream a reality. From a former funder`s standpoint, they have come a tremendous way in just a few years. They have worked hard to receive the honor of being the host for the 2007 American Solar Energy Society conference in 2007.