New director chosen to lead Efficiency Vermont
Burlington, VT
Jim Merriam announced today that Liz Gamache will succeed him as Director of Efficiency Vermont beginning January 19, 2015. Efficiency Vermont is a nationally acclaimed statewide energy efficiency utility, which currently helps meet more than 13% of Vermont’s electric supply needs, and has helped reduce heating costs in more than 4,500 homes since 2008.
“I am thrilled to bring Liz on board as the next Director of Efficiency Vermont,” said Merriam. “She has a solid track record in the utility industry, a deep history of public service in her community, and an innate understanding of how to deliver exceptional service and value to Vermonters. I cannot think of a more gifted and qualified candidate to set the course for Efficiency Vermont as it helps Vermonters lower their energy costs and continues to raise the bar on Vermont’s national energy efficiency leadership.”
Liz comes to Efficiency Vermont from Vermont Electric Cooperative, where she has served as Manager of Corporate Services since 2008. Since 2012, she has been twice-elected to serve as Mayor of the City of St. Albans, Vermont, where she is currently leading an unprecedented downtown revitalization effort that has transformed the Main Street district, filling vacant storefronts while attracting jobs and private investment. Liz received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont in Business Administration, and has completed an Excellence in Executive Leadership certification from Champlain College.
“I am looking forward to taking leadership of Efficiency Vermont’s work to deliver savings to Vermonters on their energy costs, and develop new opportunities that drive economic development in our state,” said Gamache. “This is an exciting time to be engaged on energy issues – and I intend to keep Vermont on the leading edge of the transformation that is taking place in our energy system, always with an eye on bringing real and measurable value to the ratepayers we serve.”
Dave Hallquist, CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative, said “It has been a privilege to work with Liz during the past seven years. Her excellent communications skills and enduring commitment to our members and our employees have helped us become a much better company. I am confident we will continue to see great things from Liz as the Director of Efficiency Vermont.”
As Director of Efficiency Vermont, Liz will be responsible for executive management, leadership, and oversight of Efficiency Vermont service delivery, strategic planning, marketing, policy, regulatory, and public affairs activities. She will have primary responsibility for ensuring that Efficiency Vermont energy savings goals and objectives on behalf of Vermont's ratepayers are met. Efficiency is less than half the cost of power purchased by electric utilities, and investments made in energy efficiency help prevent the need for ratepayers to make costly investments in building new power plants and transmission lines.
Efficiency Vermont is operated by the nonprofit energy services organization the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC). Liz joins a senior management team at VEIC led by Executive Director Scott Johnstone. She will be working with Jim Merriam as he assumes responsibilities as VEIC Operations Director overseeing work in Vermont, Washington DC, and Ohio.
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont avoid over 13.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award for the last eight consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.
About Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
The Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) is a mission-driven nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to reduce the economic and environmental costs of energy production and use through cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. For more information: www.veic.org.
Efficiency Vermont Press Contact
Matthew Smith
Phone: (802) 540-7662
[email protected]