Source: Energy Services Media

Perspective: Proud to Be Part of an Industry That Still Delivers Real Impact

Rhonda Courtney is a leader, advocate, and mentor in the energy services industry. She has been in the industry for over 30 years and has secured $120M in ESPC and lighting design projects. Through her work with organizations such as the Energy Services Coalition (ESC) and the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO), she has gained a unique perspective on how to be successful in the industry. EST asked Rhonda to share insights from her career journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. Rhonda is currently the Vice President of Business Development at Hemma Lighting Solutions.

I was truly honored to be asked to contribute an article reflecting on a journey that has shaped both my career and perspective.

Two professional organizations that have played a pivotal role in shaping my career and developing leaders across our industry are the Energy Services Coalition (ESC) and the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO). Early in my career, ESC brought together state and private-sector professionals to advance Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) initiatives at the state and private-sector levels. NAESCO, at the national level, has been instrumental in advocating for, promoting, and expanding the adoption of ESPC. Both organizations have provided meaningful opportunities for professional growth, leadership, networking, and industry collaboration, opportunities for which I remain deeply grateful.

During my 20-year career with Honeywell, as well as throughout my broader lighting career, I have had the privilege of learning, embracing, and advocating for ESPC, an approach that continues to make a meaningful impact on organizations, communities, and infrastructure across the country.

I have come to appreciate that this industry is about much more than energy savings and lighting systems. It is about people, relationships, trust, and helping organizations solve real challenges in meaningful ways. Long-term success in this industry is built on credibility, collaboration, and consistently delivering value.

One of the most important lessons I have learned throughout my career is that it is not enough to simply show up; you must actively engage in the organizations that support and serve the industry you work in.

My involvement in these organizations has never wavered. As an active supporter of the Energy Services Coalition (ESC), I co-founded the Tennessee chapter and served two terms as ESC Board President. At the same time, I remained actively involved in NAESCO, where I helped establish the Affiliate Advisory Committee and later served as Chair of the Membership Committee and on the Executive Board Committee. My participation in these organizations played a significant role in both my personal and professional growth, so much so that I made a personal commitment to work only for organizations that remain active NAESCO members.

Over the years, I have often seen individuals attend industry events or conferences without fully engaging in the true value those organizations provide. Participating only at an affiliate exhibit booth while missing the broader conference agenda can limit the opportunity to truly understand the industry, emerging trends, key challenges, and the power of networking and relationship-building.

Some of the greatest professional growth comes from understanding how these organizations function, what strategies and initiatives are underway, and where you can contribute while also gaining value yourself. The relationships, leadership opportunities, and long-term business development that come from involvement are rarely immediate. Meaningful growth and trusted relationships are built through consistency, participation, and a genuine commitment to contributing to the industry over time.

Early in my career, I was fortunate to develop a successful employee recognition program among my peers, which eventually led to opportunities to travel to Phoenix and Minneapolis to help roll out the program across other Honeywell divisions. At the time, I did not fully appreciate the long-term value and power of networking and relationship-building, but those experiences would later become instrumental in my career growth.

Wanting to continue my career after relocating to Nashville, I interviewed with Honeywell Home and Building Controls. The division was significantly different from my previous experience, so I had limited direct industry knowledge to draw from. However, the relationships and expanded professional network I had built along the way proved invaluable.

It also happened that the General Manager of Home and Building Controls, someone many in our industry know well, John Mahoney, was serving on the NAESCO Board of Directors at the time. Through that introduction, I quickly realized that the only way to truly position yourself for long-term growth in this industry is to continuously learn, actively participate, build relationships, and work hard. That philosophy has served me extremely well throughout my career. Because of my commitment to industry involvement and relationship-building, I have developed a strong and trusted national network that continues to provide both personal and professional value today.

I have also had the opportunity to experience the industry from multiple perspectives. My years on the ESCO side with Honeywell taught me the importance of strategic thinking, long-term planning, and understanding the broader goals of customers and performance contracts. Transitioning into the lighting contractor side has given me an even deeper appreciation for execution, responsiveness, flexibility, and the importance of strong field teams that ultimately bring projects to life. Experiencing both sides has strengthened my perspective and made me a better partner to customers, ESCOs, and industry peers alike.

This opportunity has also allowed me to reflect on the many colleagues, mentors, partners, and clients who have been part of my journey. Your collaboration, trust, and shared commitment to excellence have made this work incredibly fulfilling.

If your company is part of this industry and not currently a NAESCO member, I strongly encourage you to consider joining. As a member, you truly have a seat at the table and the opportunity to help shape the future of our industry.

For professionals early in their careers, I strongly encourage involvement in organizations like ESC and NAESCO. The relationships, mentorship, and exposure to industry leaders are invaluable and can truly help shape both your career path and professional growth. Most importantly, I want to salute this industry, one driven by innovation, accountability, and a genuine commitment to creating smarter, more efficient, and sustainable environments. In this fast-changing world we live and work in, what we do delivers real impact, and it is inspiring to be part of a community that consistently delivers on its promises.

I am proud to be a lighting professional who helps deliver turnkey investment grade audits, design, and implementation solutions that create measurable results for customers and communities.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. I look forward to what is ahead and to continuing to contribute to the future of our industry.