Jan Blittersdorf, President and CEO of NRG Systems, was recognized as a Champion of Change for renewable energy at the White House today. Blittersdorf learned late last week that she had been one of ten persons selected nationally. During this afternoonâ s award ceremony at the White House, Blittersdorf spoke on a panel with other renewable energy leaders who were also recognized as Champions of Change.
â Itâ s certainly a great honor to be recognized as a White House Champion of Change,’said Blittersdorf. â I am humbled to share the company of other talented and dedicated leaders who are advancing a renewable energy future. Despite the headwinds pushing against our progress, I will continue to work to bring renewable energy into the fore as a mainstay source of power.â
â Supporting homegrown sources of renewable energy is a key part of the Presidentâ s all-of-the-above energy strategy to create jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen national security,’said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. â The leaders weâ ve selected as Champions of Change are helping to grow our economy, reduce pollution in our communities, and position America as a world leader in clean energy.â
Blittersdorf was honored not only for her work leading NRG Systems, a manufacturer of measurement systems for the renewable energy industry, but also for her work supporting the advancement of women in the wind industry. She was nominated for the award by Kristen Graf, executive director of the Women of Wind Energy (WoWE), an organization dedicated to the education and professional advancement of women to support a robust renewable energy economy. Blittersdorf has been active in WoWE since its inception.
â Jan has done so much for women in our industry,’said Kristen Graf, executive director of WoWE. â Not only is she a visible role model of leadership and innovation, but she is committed to encouraging the development of a diverse workforce. She truly is an inspiration for all of us hoping to make a difference in the renewable energy field.â
Blittersdorf was also credited for her work chairing the American Wind Wildlife Institute (AWWI) and her service on the board of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), where she serves as chair of the public affairs committee.
Blittersdorf was a founding member of AWWI, an organization devoted to facilitating timely and responsible development of wind energy, while protecting wildlife and its habitat. Under her leadership as chair, AWWI has played a critical role in submitting joint comments from conservation groups and the wind industry for the recently released land-based wind energy guidelines proposed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
â Jan is a change agentâ ¦with her at the helm, AWWI carves out new ground to find solutions to wind's impact on wildlife, and brings industry and conservation partners together to think differently, creatively and innovatively toward a clean energy future," said Abby Arnold, executive director of the American Wind Wildlife Institute.
Blittersdorf became CEO of NRG Systems in 2004 after serving as vice president and CFO. In 2010, she became sole owner of NRG Systems, one of only a few independent, women-owned companies in the wind energy industry.
The White House Champion for Change initiative seeks to recognize ordinary Americans doing extraordinary work in their communities and industries to further education and innovation in our nation. Each week, different individuals are recognized for their efforts. For more information, visithttp://www.whitehouse.gov/champions.
About NRG Systems
NRG Systems’measurement equipment can be found in 150 countries on every continent, serving electric utilities, renewable energy developers, turbine manufacturers, and research institutes. The Hinesburg company, celebrating 30years in business, has been nationally recognized for its LEED gold-certified manufacturing facilities and its employee best-practices. For more information, visitwww.nrgsystems.com.
About Women of Wind Energy
WoWE was founded in 2005 to support the education, professional development, and advancement of women in the wind industry. Since that time, WoWE has grown to an organization with 35 local chapters in the US and Canada and a growing grassroots network of more than 2,000 women and men.The organization is supported through hundreds of volunteer hours and the generous contributions of individual members, the American Wind Energy Association, and a large number of leading wind energy companies. For more information, visitwww.womenofwindenergy.org.
NRG Systems. 4.19.2012.