Chicago Regional Meeting
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Location: Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
10 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
Introduction:
This meeting is to strategize an approach for each state being considered. It is recognized that some states have more/less activity than others. The people/companies listed below are not expected to be presenters, but discussion leaders.
This meeting is for full and affiliate member company employees only*, except where NAESCO has specifically invited a key ally for our industry. Space is limited to 80 people and 2 representatives per company.
*To participate in a members-only meeting, the participating individual needs to have an email address with the member company domain.
Chicago Regional Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, September 23
Pre-Meeting Happy Hour (Organized by NAESCO Affiliate Engagement Subcommittee) - Sponsored by Hemma Lighting!
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Weber Grill Restaurant, 539 North State Street (Connected to Hilton Garden Inn)
Come join NAESCO staff and the NAESCO Engagement Subcommittee to grab a drink prior to your dinner plans! It’s a great way to network with other members attending prior to the full meeting on Wednesday.
Wednesday, September 24
Affiliate Breakfast Meet-up (Organized by NAESCO Affiliate Value Proposition Subcommittee)
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Eataly, 43 E Ohio Street
The NAESCO Affiliate Value Proposition Subcommittee is excited to announce an informal networking meet-up! This gathering will be a great opportunity for affiliates and members to connect, share ideas, and build relationships in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Whether you’re looking to collaborate on future projects, exchange insights about the industry, or simply enjoy good conversation over coffee, this is the perfect chance to strengthen our professional community. Please note this is not a sponsored event therefore each attendee should expect to pay for their own F&B.
Meeting Agenda
11:00 AM - Discussion with Ian Adams, Managing Director at Evergreen Climate Innovations; Patrick Evans, President of the Illinois Energy Association; and Kent Gaffney, Senior Vice President of State Government Relations at McGuireWoods Consulting. They will give brief talks on current developments and share any updates. Bring your questions, as this will be an informal opportunity to speak with them.
Ian Adams Managing Director at Evergreen Climate Innovations
Ian Adams is a Managing Director at Evergreen Climate Innovations, an organization which supports and invests in high-potential climate tech startups from the Greater Midwest. He brings more than a decade of experience working in energy and climate across investing, operations, and government.
Ian oversees Evergreen’s platform work, which includes startup support programming, ecosystem partnerships, research, and impact measurement. In this capacity, Ian works to identify technology and market trends, evaluates new investment opportunities, and develops new initiatives to support climate tech startups.
Prior to Evergreen, Ian worked at the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and served in the administration of President Barack Obama at the White House and the U.S. Department of Energy. He is a graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Patrick Evans, President, Illinois Energy Association
Patrick Evans is currently in his fourth year serving as President of the Illinois Energy Association. Patrick previously served five years as Vice President and fifteen years as Director of Governmental Affairs for the Illinois Energy Association. He helps coordinate government relations and legislative strategies for the investor-owned utilities and electric generation companies in Illinois. Included is responsibility for tracking all industry related legislation along with developing and maintaining productive relationships with Illinois legislators and staff.
Patrick completed his baccalaureate work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a graduate internship program with the Illinois Legislature through the University of Illinois Springfield. He began his career as a legislative analyst for the Illinois House Republican Caucus. There, Patrick staffed the Personnel and Pensions, Public Utilities, Environment and Energy, Telecommunications and Local Government Committees, along with assisting on capital budget issues and the Illinois Commerce Commission budget.
Kent Gaffney, Senior Vice President State Government Relations, McGuireWoods Consulting
Kent joined McGuireWoods Consulting in January 2013 and serves as a senior vice president of State Government Relations. His primary areas of service include assisting clients with legislative, appropriations and regulatory needs. Prior to joining MWC, he served as the 52nd District State Representative in the House of Representatives of the Illinois General Assembly. In that capacity, Kent served on the Revenue & Finance, Insurance, Armed Forces and Military Affairs, Small Business Empowerment & Workforce, and General Services Appropriations committees.
Before becoming a legislator, he was the Director of Appropriations for the Illinois House Republican Caucus from 2001-2011. Kent has also served as the Deputy Director of Appropriations and as a Research Analyst for utility and healthcare committees.
Kent was also chosen to be a member of the inaugural class of the Edgar Fellows Program.
12:00 PM Lunch All - Sponsored by ESPEN, mwConnect, and Nenni and Associates!
1:00-4:30 PM State Discussions
Minnesota - Ben Wallace, Ameresco
Missouri - All
Kansas - Ryan Terry, Navitas
Wisconsin - All
Michigan - Michael Nordloh, Energy Systems Group
Illinois - Brian Ondyak, Performance Services, Inc.
Indiana - Bob Smith, Veregy
Ohio - Brent Vanhoose, ESG
West Virginia - Andy Cocina, Wendel
Kentucky - Carter Offutt, Perfection Group, Inc.
Virginia - Alison Shea, The Efficiency Network (TEN)
4:30 PM Wrap Up All
5:00 - 6:30 PM Networking Social Event in Three Dots and a Dash at 435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654 - Sponsored by SnapCount and Walker Blue!
Sponsorship Contact:
Please email Michelle Yoon at michelle.yoon@naesco.org for sponsorship information.
Hotel Information:
The hotel is offering a special room rate of $229 for our event. This rate includes access to an indoor heated pool, fitness center, and complimentary WiFi. Guests can also enjoy the on-site restaurant and 24-hour business center. To reserve your room, visit our event attendee website or call the hotel's reservation department at 877-865-5298. Please make your reservation by August 30, 2025, and identify yourself as part of the NAESCO Chicago Regional Meeting.
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
The hotel is offering a special room rate of $229 for our event. This rate includes access to an indoor heated pool, fitness center, and complimentary WiFi. Guests can also enjoy the on-site restaurant and 24-hour business center. To reserve your room, visit our event attendee website or call the hotel's reservation department at 877-865-5298. Please make your reservation by August 26, 2025, and identify yourself as part of the NAESCO Chicago Regional Meeting.
NAESCO Members - $350
Lunch Sponsor - $5500 exclusively (or find a friend to co-sponsor and split $2750 each)
Networking Social Event Sponsor - $5500 exclusively (or find a friend to co-sponsor and split $2750 each)
NOTE: This event is for NAESCO members only. To participate in a members-only meeting, the participating individual needs to have an email address with the member company domain.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
Release and Waiver of Liability. By registering for this event, I forever release and waive liability against NAESCO and waive the right to bring any claim against NAESCO and its owners, officers, directors, managers, officials, agents, employees, volunteers, or other representatives in connection with exposure, infection, and spread of COVID-19 related to my attendance at this event.
Terms and Conditions
Cancellations and Refunds
All conference registration fees are non-refundable. Once payment is submitted, no refunds or credits will be issued.
Disclaimer
NAESCO reserves the right to make program and schedule changes, additions, or cancellations as it deems necessary.
Photography/Videography Release
As a condition of your appearance or attendance at any NAESCO event, you expressly grant NAESCO permission to capture images of you and to use those images for the purposes of recording and reporting on this event and for use in promoting events and that such uses shall not impose any liability on NAESCO or entitle you to any compensation for the use of your likeness.
Use of Personal Information
NAESCO will contact you to send you information relating to its events. By registering for this event, you authorize NAESCO to subscribe you to its newsletters or contact you for marketing purposes via email, social media, digital ads, posts, and telephone. NAESCO does not sell, rent, or lease customer lists to third parties. We may share data with trusted partners or other members to help perform statistical analysis, communicate with you, or provide customer support.
NAESCO Event Code of Conduct
The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants. This NAESCO Event Code of Conduct applies to all individuals involved in NAESCO events including attendees, speakers, industry partners, exhibitors, NAESCO staff, and others. By participating in NAESCO events, including events held in conjunction with NAESCO events, you agree to comply with this Event Code of Conduct.
This Event Code of Conduct establishes guidelines for participant behavior, as well as consequences for unacceptable conduct. All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, adhere to venue rules, and promptly notify staff of any violations of this Event Code of Conduct, including hazardous situations, or any participant in distress.
Fostering an environment built on mutual respect and collaboration is essential for the success of NAESCO events and the well-being of all participants. Therefore, full cooperation is required in adhering to the principles outlined in this Event Code of Conduct.
Unacceptable Conduct
NAESCO values a safe and inclusive environment for all participants and expect everyone to adhere to these guidelines during NAESCO events. Unacceptable behavior includes:
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated at any NAESCO events. Immediate compliance is expected from anyone asked to cease such behavior. NAESCO reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate actions, including immediate removal from the event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior.
If additional action is needed, the Executive Director will investigate the allegation and determine if there is a violation. All involved parties must cooperate with the investigation.
Once the investigation is concluded, the Executive Director will write a report and share with the NAESCO Executive Committee and counsel to determine next steps, if any.
NAESCO reserves the right to seek legal actions from those responsible for violations that caused damages or financial losses to NAESCO. All involved parties agree to waive any right to bring legal action for claims or damages against NAESCO or any person acting for NAESCO in his or her capacity in the enforcement of this Event Code of Conduct.
Reporting Conduct Violations
Conduct in violation of this NAESCO Event Code of Conduct should be promptly brought to the attention of Timothy Unruh, Executive Director, timothy.unruh@naesco.org, so appropriate action is taken.
Retaliation against any individual who reports a violation or participates in an investigation is prohibited and will be addressed accordingly.
Updated as of 9/19/2023.
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