This October, a team of energy professionals in Fresno, California, began the process of organizing a new chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). The Interim Board of Directors for the new chapter (currently named The San Joaquin Valley Chapter) has met in Fresno, and two organizational meetings have been completed. The initial goal of the AEE Chapter will be to focus upon the ag & food processing industries of the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), as Fresno and Tulare County are recognized to be the two largest agricultural counties in the United States. The goal of all AEE chapters is to promote the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry and to foster action for sustainable development.

The Association of Energy Engineers is an international source of information and networking in the fields of energy engineering, energy management, renewables, power generation, energy services, sustainability, and related areas. AEE’s overall strength is augmented by its strong membership base of over 17,000 professionals in 90 countries and its widely recognized energy certification programs.  Its network of 88 local chapters located throughout the U.S. and abroad meets regularly to discuss issues of regional importance.

The Fresno chapter is looking for local AEE members and other energy industry professionals to help.  If you are interested in participating in the development of this chapter’s goals, please contact Dr. Tim Lockwood, PE (Interim AEE SJV President) Marketing Director, BASE Energy, Inc., 559-403-8277 at tlockwood@baseco.com. Or, you may contact the other AEE SJV Interim Board Members listed below:

Justin Westmoreland, PE, Staff Engineer, Alternate Energy Systems Consulting, Inc.

Interim Vice President

559-494-0301

Sam Chant, Energy Engineering Manager, Olam Spices & Vegetable Ingredients, Inc.

Interim Treasurer

559-256-6243

Donald Fantz, PE, Energy Solutions Manager, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., Inc.

Interim Secretary

559-930-5247

Here is the link to the AEE HQ website: http://www.aeecenter.org/