2025 Reflection

For the team here at Energy Sciences, 2025 was a year filled with welcoming new team members, building on past successes, and taking on new projects — we even launched a new, refreshed brand! As we wrap up the year, we reflect on the accomplishments and fun we had as an organization by talking to several team members for their firsthand perspectives of things they’ve been a part of these last 12 months. As we hear their thoughts, we can’t help but be excited to see what new successes and learning opportunities 2026 will bring.

Refreshed Energy Sciences Brand
William Wilberg, Senior Communications Consultant

What did it mean to you to work on the Energy Sciences rebrand? 

Getting the opportunity to work on the evolution of a logo and brand that has been in place for the last 16+ years was an honor. I was keenly aware of the opportunity it represented for us to really slow down, be thoughtful in the assessment of who we are as an organization, how we want to represent ourselves with our clients and communities, and work to craft a refreshed brand that is intentional in both our voice and our visual elements.

How will the rebrand help the company? 

With the Energy Sciences name now positioned as the anchor of our brand mark, along with two logo variations created, I believe the rebrand will help us better stand out. Pair the rebranded logo with our refreshed color palette and updated brand guidelines and the result is an increased level of sophistication, clarity and consistency in how we represent ourselves visually. 

Is there anything else you would want to say about the branding project?

More than anything I want to stop and acknowledge just how much of a collaborative effort it was to get to this point. In the end, this was deliverable by the Communications team, but in reality, it is the collective work of so many. It is the result of the unwavering leadership of Shelley, the mission and culture that she and Frank established years ago, and the ongoing work to carefully guide and steward all that is Energy Sciences. It is born out of the daily work of every team member that delivers with excellence day in and day out to make our world a better place. It’s a reflection of the heart and care that goes into every committee to live out our values in work that goes beyond our typical roles. 

Annual Event at Blake’s Backyard and Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill
Rue Siddiqui, Engineer, Events Committee Member

What did you enjoy most about the annual event this year?

Traveling by bus between Blake’s locations, then switching to the train, and passing through the fields made the trip especially enjoyable. I really enjoyed the wide variety of food options available, which allowed everyone, including those with dietary restrictions, to enjoy multiple dishes. I am very picky with my food, so it was good to have a lot of options to pick through.

Describe what it was like helping prepare for the Annual event this year?

It was a valuable learning experience. I’ve always been interested in organizing events but hadn’t had the opportunity to do so, so being able to support the annual event taught me a great deal. I gained insight into the small details that are often overlooked such as ensuring everyone’s dietary preferences are considered and making sure, we can offer special accommodations when needed. I also learned what it means to be a thoughtful host and how to make everyone feel welcome. Most importantly, I realized the value of thorough planning and preparing for different scenarios in advance. This allowed the events team to truly enjoy the event without unnecessary worry.

Solar Inspection Projects
Shir Popalzai, System Inspector Solar Consultant

What is the Illinois (IL) Shines Program?

The IL Shines Program solar inspections ensure that solar and battery installations across Illinois meet high standards for safety, quality, and NEC compliance. As a contractor, our inspectors verify proper equipment installation, grounding, labeling, and system performance to protect customers and ensure long-term reliability. Overall, the program improves installation quality and standards statewide and builds customer confidence in Illinois’ growing solar market.

What were main highlights of the solar inspection projects this year?

This year’s top projects demonstrated strong workmanship and full alignment with IL Shines Program requirements. The inspections also help our team strengthen technical expertise in NEC 2020 requirements and evolving technologies, while providing valuable feedback to installers.

Quinn Thibault, Technical Services Analyst

What certifications have been earned this year to support the solar inspection work?

I recently earned my Photovoltaic System Inspector (PVSI) Certification to provide additional support for our solar inspection contracted work handled by the Tech Services Team, such as Illinois Shines Program support and future projects that involve reviewing or inspecting solar array systems. This certification helps me contribute more effectively as our team works with more solar-related projects. The training covered the National Electrical Code (NEC), solar installation and maintenance, and industry best practices focused on safety, system efficiency, and production performance. I also gained a stronger understanding of how solar arrays operate, from design considerations to long-term system behavior.

Food 4 Thought: Desserts in December
Mary Jo Crawshaw, Associate Program Manager, Food 4 Thought: Desserts in December Baker

Why do you think team engagement events, like Food 4 Thoughts, are important?

These events keep the Energy Sciences team together, by experiencing the team’s outside interests and outlook on life and how they want to live it to the fullest.  It also shows how kind and caring this company and its team members are.  I thoroughly enjoy joining these events as they are 100% a fun experience filled with adventure, cooking, and caring about making this planet a better place to live.

What did you enjoy about sharing your baking tips and recipes in the Desserts in December Food 4 Thought? 

Baking and cooking are my two hobbies that I find to be extremely relaxing and satisfying, I love to see people enjoy what I have made!  I loved getting together with everyone involved, learning about each of them outside of work, their personalities, their individual talents. There was nothing but love in Jen’s kitchen that day, it was fantastic!

Municipal Sustainability Action Plans
Katie Percha, Consultant

How does Energy Sciences partner with municipalities to create Sustainability Action Plans?

Energy Sciences partners with municipalities to create a sustainability action plan that serves the city and community at large. This includes a survey of current practices, and recommendations for actions that will resolve some of the challenges that cities face in implementing sustainable development. By working closely with the city’s planning department, we develop an understanding of the city’s unique opportunities and challenges and develop personalized suggestions that will take the city through both short- and long-term evolution.

What have you taken away from working on municipal Sustainability Action Plan projects?

These projects have been great learning experiences for me and the rest of the Consulting Services team; we have dug in deep to understand the interconnected nature of sustainability and how communities are integrating sustainable practices into their planning. From transportation to energy efficiency, we’ve been able to explore multiple topics in sustainability and have learned a lot about local government.

Giveback Volunteer Events
Randy Lee, Outreach Specialist, Giveback Event Volunteer

Do you have a favorite giveback event from the year? 

My favorite volunteer event of the year was the Bob Mann Woods Stewardship Volunteer Event, hosted by the Shedd Aquarium. I thoroughly enjoyed this event for a couple of reasons. First, we were able to be out in nature, something I really enjoy but don’t get to do as much these days. Then, we were able to ask questions, and it was really educational. The organizers from the Shedd are very knowledgeable and didn’t hesitate to answer any questions. You could also feel their passion, which was inspiring. 

What were some aspects you like about the giveback events? 

I appreciate the diversity in our giveback events. We don’t stick to just one type of service. Our communities’ needs are multifaceted and nuanced, so I am grateful for the holistic nature of our approach.

Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) Conference and Presentation
Jack Schumaker, Engineer, MSBO Session Presenter- “New Michigan Energy Code Influences on K-12 Additions and Renovations: Saving Energy and Cost with Commissioning and Functional Testing”

What takeaways did you have from attending and presenting at the MSBO Facilities/Operations Conference? 

Attending and presenting at the MSBO conference was a great opportunity to gain exposure to some of the main vendors and contractors in the building infrastructure/energy efficiency space.

Hosting a booth at the conference also allowed Energy Sciences to connect with potential new clients and other peers in the industry, while promoting our values of collaboration and stewardship. Overall, it was a fun and informative conference!

Why were you excited to present on Commissioning and Functional Testing to Schools?

Due to the scale of school districts, which can comprise dozens of buildings, they often have a steady stream of infrastructure projects, making them great candidates for system/energy optimization work during both new construction and retro-commissioning (RCx). Showing districts how they can save time and money with functional testing and commissioning was a valuable opportunity to promote energy efficiency across a large footprint and ultimately ease the burden on the schools’ budgets by avoiding costly system deficiencies.

Additionally, recent updates to the Michigan Energy Code earlier this year now require Michigan’s amended version of the IECC 2021 or ASHRAE 90.1-2019 to be followed in all commercial construction projects, both of which include functional testing and commissioning of HVAC, lighting, and other energy-consuming building systems. The length and verbiage of the code can be intimidating if you aren’t already familiar with some of the technical jargon, so spreading the word to a general audience will hopefully help to put the code in real-world terms before any of the audience’s new projects get underway.

Custom Trainings
Rob Lutz, Project Manager, Safety Committee Lead

Why is it valuable/important for us to make custom trainings for Energy Sciences team members, especially custom safety trainings?

Generic training often falls flat because it doesn’t reflect our real work environment. Custom content makes learning relevant, relatable, and engaging — which drives higher retention and better application on the job. When our team members see themselves and their real-life scenarios in training, the message sticks and behavior changes.

How have custom trainings impacted the Energy Sciences team? 

Custom micro-learning has made training more consistent, visible, and actionable. It keeps development top-of-mind and reinforces safety — not just physically, but in areas like cyber security and operational awareness. The result is a more informed, confident, and safety-focused team. Additionally, as we receive ongoing feedback and observe how different team members learn, we’re able to evolve our content to be clearer, more engaging, and easier to absorb