Five NAESCO Members Win Industry-Leading Award Recognizing Member Engagement, Technical Excellence, and Outstanding Project through Performance Contracting: Centrica Business Solutions, Energy Efficient Investments Inc., Linmore LED Labs, State of New Hampshire & Walters Wholesale Electric
Washington, D.C., November 17, 2025 - The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO), the leading advocacy and accreditation association representing companies modernizing our nation's building infrastructure, announced the winners of the 2025 NAESCO Member Award at the R3 Conference and Innovation Expo on November 5, 2025. Projects completed for Cheshire County, NH, and Death Valley National Park were selected for the Keystone Award and the Member Engagement and Technical Challenge Award.
The NAESCO Member Award honors the achievements of exemplary projects that show the full potential of public-private partnerships. Efforts recognized by this award include, but are not limited to, significant or unique savings, innovative project approaches or technology uses, overcoming significant project obstacles, achieving environmental justice goals, and incorporating community development and outreach.
Keystone Award
The Keystone Award was awarded to Energy Efficient Investments Inc. (EEI), the State of New Hampshire, and Cheshire County.
EEI took a strategic approach in supporting Cheshire County’s goal to reduce fossil fuel consumption while maintaining fiscal responsibility, mitigating the county’s energy vulnerability as a rural community in New Hampshire. EEI installed renewable wood chip boilers, high-efficiency VRV heat pumps, a cutting-edge six-pipe geothermal heating and cooling system, LED lighting, and integrated all sites into a single, countywide energy management system, executed through a multi-phase, energy savings performance contract.
“Through their innovation, leverage, and solid client relationship, Energy Efficient Investments was able to implement the 2025 Keystone Award project with Cheshire County, NH. Furthermore, this project was assisted by another NAESCO member – the State of New Hampshire,” said Timothy Unruh, Executive Director of NAESCO.
Member Engagement and Technical Challenge Award
The Member Engagement and Technical Challenge Award was awarded to Centrica Business Solutions, Death Valley National Park, Linmore LED Labs, and Walters Wholesale Electric.
Centrica Business Solutions applied a multifaceted approach to implementing a Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC) in partnership with Southern California Edison to enhance operational resilience across 3.4 million acres of Death Valley National Park, supporting a diverse mix of facilities, ranging from historic structures to remote residential buildings. The project demonstrates a strong commitment to innovative, sustainable energy solutions capable of overcoming extreme climates.
“This project had unique technical challenges to overcome. With design requirements of 135°F, every aspect of this project required special consideration. In addition to the temperature requirement, the project also had to sustain an International Dark Sky designation, classified as the ‘Gold Tier.’ Centrica Business Solutions implemented this project successfully with Death Valley National Park, earning them the Technical Challenge Award. By utilizing the resources of Linmore LED Labs and Walters Wholesale Electric, they further earned the full award: the 2025 Member Engagement and Technical Challenge Award,” said Timothy Unruh, Executive Director of NAESCO.
About The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)
The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) is the leading advocacy and accreditation organization for Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and is dedicated to modernizing America's building infrastructure. NAESCO unites the energy service industry by promoting favorable government policies, sponsoring a rigorous accreditation program, and providing professional training and education. NAESCO champions the interests of ESCOs across the nation.
ESCOs contract with private and public sector energy users to provide cost-effective energy efficiency retrofits across a wide spectrum of client facilities, from college campuses to water treatment plants. ESCOs offer investment-grade financial guarantees that project savings will be realized, reducing the risk of a project's outcomes. Over the last three decades, ESCOs have implemented more than $70 billion in comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit projects.
Learn more about NAESCO, its members, membership benefits, and the accreditation process at www.naesco.org, and follow NAESCO on Twitter (@NaescoNews) and LinkedIn (@naesco).
Media Contact:
Lucy Vernasco, lucy.vernasco@energyservicesmedia.com
Keystone Award
(Pictured left to right: Terry Clark, Cheshire County Commissioner; Michael Davey, President, EEI; Kerri Warms, Vice President, EEI; Karen Rantamaki, Director, State of New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services, Division of Plant & Property; Timothy Unruh, Executive Director, NAESCO)
Member Engagement and Technical Challenge Award
(Pictured left to right: Chuck Peacher, VP, Sales Eastern US, Linmore LED Labs; Wes Fannin, Director of Strategic Sales & Innovation, Linmore LED Labs; Steve Wong, Division Manager, Walters Wholesale Electric; Dan Mitchell, Sales Leader, Centrica Business Solutions; Wayne Callham, Vice President, Sales, North America, Linmore LED Labs; Matt Sorbero, Head of Centrica Business Solutions – North America, Centrica Business Solutions; Randall Miles, Program Principal, Centrica Business Solutions; Timothy Unruh, Executive Director, NAESCO)