Photo Credit: Dennis Schroeder

The annual ASES Gala Awards Dinner at WREF 2012 was a night to remember. Attendees enjoyed presentations from two prominent speakers, Dennis Dimick and Bill Ritter who intertwined policy and press to share a vision of an energy vision throughout the world.

The first speaker at the Gala was Dennis Dimick from the National Geographic. He is the Executive Environmental Editor for the National Geographic and is responsible for all things related to energy, climate, and sustainability seen in the magazine. His presentation was built on dozens of award-winning photographs from numerous National Geographic photographers that displayed “The Era of Man: Stewardship in the Anthropocene.”

Our second speaker was Former Governor Bill Ritter. He is now heading up CSU’s Center for the New Energy Economy which focuses on accelerating the nation’s development of a new and clean energy economy. His talk focused on a roadmap for decision makers around the country to guide them into a secure, sustainable, and affordable energy future.

Banquet attendees along with an anonymous donor who matched all funds generously donated to support ASES in it’s mission to speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy.

If you were unable to attend the event you can still offer your support.

Women in Solar Energy Award Winner Heather Andrews

There were many outstanding nominations this year for ASES’ Annual Awards. The 2012 winners include the head of GreenEnergy Ohio (GEO), an outstanding educator, an advocate of women in solar energy, a researcher focused on energy conscious building design, a solar adobe expert, an architecture graduate student and a posthumous award to an unrelenting solar power advocate.

The winners will be honored at the Gala Awards Banquet alongside keynote addresses by Dennis Dimick, Executive Environment Editor for National Geographic and former Governor Bill Ritter. This event will be held onTuesday March 15 at WREF 2012. We’d love you to join us for an evening of enlightening presentations and  celebration of the achievements of all our honorees.

Charles Greeley Abbot Award
William Spratley for his dedication to education resulting in widespread knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency to both businesses and individuals.

Hoyt Clarke Hottel Award
Frank Kreith, for his innovative thinking that spurred many technology advancements. He has publicly promoted solar energy for decades while inspiring generations of young engineers.

Women in Solar Energy Award 
Trudy Forsyth, for her promotion and education of women in the renewable energy industry. She is a renowned expert in wind energy, and attributed to reinvigorating interest in its distributed applications.

Heather Andrews, who was an unrelenting force of support and advocacy for solar energy. While her presence is dearly missed, the consequences of her work will never go unnoticed.

2012 Passive Solar Pioneer Award
Edna Shaviv, who for over the last 40 years has created software, integrated ideas on community design, and initiated research in the United States and in Israel changing the way buildings perform.

Mark Chalom, for a 35-year commitment to creating a living legacy of sun dwellings, passive solar and sustainable buildings. He has influenced generations as a teacher, researcher, architect, public speaker, builder and activist.

2012 John and Barbara Yellot Award
 Sara Motamedi, for her outstanding graduate work integrating energy and daylighting simulations at the first stage of architectural design.

At National Geographic, Dennis Dimick leads coverage of energy, climate, and sustainability issues. Dennis is the person responsible for National Geographic Magazine’s outstanding coverage of energy, environmental and climate change issues. His presentation, The Era of Man: Stewardship in the Anthropocene is built on dozens of award-winning photographs from NG’s photographers. There is no place else where you can see these photographs together in one presentation.

Photo compliments of CRES

Former Governor Bill Ritter, who now heads CSU’s Center for the New Energy Economy, will share his roadmap for policy makers, governors, planners, and other decision makers to guide the country along the road to a more secure, stable, sustainable, and affordable energy future.

These dynamic speakers, from the worlds of press and politics,  share a vision of an energy future that collaborates with the earth. Their important stories will take you from the natural world to the man-made world—worlds full of wonder, change, and promise.

These two inspiring speakers will probably never appear on the same program again. Order tickets today as part of your WREF registration. You may also add to your existing conference registration or purchase banquet only tickets here.