The Connecticut Power and Energy Society presents four annual awards to those who have made a significant contribution to Connecticut’s energy landscape. Awardees include those in academia, industry and public service. The awards are: Rising Star, Luminary Award, Excellence in Energy, and Distinguished Professional Service.
Rising Star Award
A professional who stands out among their peers as a rising star in or related to the energy industry. This individual is not limited to a specific age range or years of experience.
2024: Dr. Zongjie Wang, UConn
2023: Andrew Lavigne, CT DECD
2022: Julia Dumaine, CT PURA
2021: Emily Basham, CT Green Bank
2020: Stefanie Keohane, CT PURA and Daryush Donyavi, Eversource Energy
2019: Jennifer Galiette, Eversource Energy
2018: Yan Li, UCONN Ph.D. Student
2017: Kristin Corbett, Starion Energy
Luminary Award
A professional recognized as a present leader in or related to the energy industry and who is an inspiration in their career.
2024: Lauren Savidge, CT DEEP
2023: Sara Harari, CT Green Bank
2022: Kerry Schlichting, ISO New England
2021: Joshua Ryor, CT PURA
Excellence in Energy Award
An accomplished and seasoned professional in or related to the energy industry who has made a significant and positive impact on Connecticut’s energy landscape throughout their career.
2024: Commissioner Jack Betkoski, CT PURA
2023: Tony Leo, FuelCell Energy
2022: Robert Snook, CT Attorney General’s Office
2021: Peg Morton, Eversource Energy
2020: Frank Wolak, FuelCell Energy and Melanie Bachman, CT Siting Council
2019: Joseph MacDougald, UConn School of Law, and Kevin Hennessy, Dominion Energy
2018: Dr. Peng Zhang, University of Connecticut, and Brian Farnen, CT Green Bank
2017: Paul R. McCary, Murtha Cullina
Distinguished Professional Service Award
A professional who has made a positive impact in the broader Connecticut community. Examples include: community service, support for nonprofits or pro bono work and should be limited to the past year or two. This individual, or the work for which they are nominated (or both), must be related to the energy industry.
2024: Tom Quinn, Nuovo Pasta Productions
2023: Christina D’Amato, Energy Resources USA
2022: Brenda Watson, Operation Fuel
2021: Bonnie Roswig, Center for Children’s Advocacy
Current CPES directors are not eligible for awards.
Note that nominations for all awards are kept confidential until votes are finalized.
Photos of Past Winners
