WASHINGTON – The Alliance to Save Energy announced Friday that President Kateri Callahan is leaving the organization after 14 years at the helm and launched a national search for her replacement.

Callahan, who has helped drive tremendous national progress in energy efficiency during her tenure at the Alliance, is slated to leave the organization March 31 for a yet-to-be-announced, private-sector position in the efficiency field.

Callahan is widely known around the country as a fierce advocate for efficiency and has been recognized by The Hill for five consecutive years as one of Washington D.C.’s “Top Lobbyists.” Her accomplishments at the Alliance include helping to win major energy efficiency provisions in the last two comprehensive energy bills as well as securing significant federal investment in energy efficiency in the economic stimulus bill of 2009; the creation of a regional energy efficiency organization, the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) and the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE); and establishment of an international conference, EE Global, that is recognized widely as the world’s premiere energy efficiency forum.

“It has been my distinct honor and privilege to lead the Alliance for more than a decade of its storied, 40-year history. The Alliance’s compelling mission of advancing energy efficiency has allowed me the opportunity to work with the world’s leading policy, business and civil society ‘thinkers and doers’ to create a sustainable energy future for not just our country, but also the world. And, working together, we have amassed a track record of success of which I am very proud,” said Callahan in announcing her decision to step down. She added, “While I am leaving to take advantage of a new professional opportunity, I also believe the time is right for new leadership and ‘fresh ideas’ as the Alliance begins the next chapter in its history.”

Gil Quiniones, Chair of the Alliance Board of Directors and president and CEO of the New York Power Authority, commended Callahan on her service:

“These will be difficult shoes to fill. Kateri Callahan has been a tremendous leader for the Alliance to Save Energy. Under her leadership, the Alliance has been the moving force in making our economy more energy productive, which has resulted in vast energy and cost savings for American consumers and businesses as well as improvements in our environment and our national energy security, reliability and affordability. On behalf of the Board, I commend her and wish her well in her future endeavors.”

Quiniones announced the formation of a selection committee to recruit the Alliance’s next leader.

“We are fortunate that Kateri leaves the organization with a strong staff and ready capacity to continue our success. The Board and I are committed to continuing the Alliance’s history of finding the right leader for the right time. We are at an important new beginning point for the Alliance as we begin its fifth decade with a new vision, mission and five-year strategic plan. All of the stars are aligned to ensure that the Alliance is as impactful in the coming decade as it has been in the past. We have an aggressive plan and timeline to recruit and bring on a new leader and hope to do so before Kateri leaves at the end of March.”

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the Alliance’s Honorary Board Chair, added her thanks to Callahan for leadership:

“If you know Kateri, you know she is an incredibly effective, energetic and passionate champion for energy efficiency. Since my arrival in the Senate, she and I have worked shoulder-to-shoulder to drive energy efficiency policies that can help the people of New Hampshire along with Americans across the country. Importantly, the commitment of the Board and the legacy she leaves make it certain that her successor and the organization are poised for success going into the new year and the new decade.”

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), a member and former chairman of the Alliance’s honorary board, said:

“Kateri has been a tireless champion for energy efficiency efforts not only in the U.S., but around the world. While I am sorry to see her leave the Alliance, I am truly grateful for her 15 years of service and wish her all the best moving forward.”

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.

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