BlocPower

We're excited to highlight Zutiyah "Zu" Graham, an outstanding alumna of Cozy Basements!, BlocPower's weatherization workforce program in Ithaca, NY. Zu relocated from North Carolina to Ithaca in 2021, looking for new opportunities. She discovered her passion for sustainable energy through our program, and is now employed as an HVAC Installation Technician at Halco Energy. Beyond professional growth, Zu's story is a testament to personal resilience and the importance of adaptability in today's evolving job market. Her journey from job-seeker to green energy professional illustrates the vital role of workforce development in bridging skills gaps and fostering sustainable careers. Read Zu's full story here: https://lnkd.in/eJ7E26WC

From managing and maximizing incentives to finding trusted contractors, improving energy efficiency in buildings is easier when the process is streamlined. BlocPower has been making the vision a reality for building owners all over Ithaca--just ask Justin, the owner of two retail buildings on the Ithaca Commons. To hear more about the history of his buildings and the process of installing heat pumps in them, watch his full video here: https://lnkd.in/eSMdE5iT

As BlocPower marks a decade of transforming America’s buildings and communities, we want to share an important leadership transition. Our founder, Donnel Baird, has resigned as CEO. Over the past ten years, Donnel’s vision and dedication have been pivotal in positioning BlocPower as a leader in urban sustainability. Since our founding in 2014, BlocPower has made significant strides in advancing our mission to create a more sustainable future. We have upgraded over 1,100 homes and buildings across the country, reducing carbon emissions and fostering economic opportunity by training thousands of people for green jobs. We are deeply grateful for Donnel’s leadership and the impact he has made on the climate community, and we look forward to building on this solid foundation in the years to come. Looking ahead, we are pleased to announce that Hanan Levin and Brian Lindsey will serve as co-Chief Executive Officers, guiding BlocPower into its next phase of growth and innovation. Hanan Levin contributes 20 years of financial and investment banking experience to our leadership team. His expertise in financial management, global finance, and fundraising, coupled with his experience in cleantech and impact investing, will be crucial in driving BlocPower’s financial strategies and growth initiatives. Brian Lindsey brings decades of organizational and construction management experience to BlocPower. His extensive background in development and construction, ranging from small renovations to large ground-up projects for national developers, will be instrumental in scaling our operations and impact. While this change marks a new chapter for BlocPower, our core mission remains the same. We are more committed than ever to leading the charge in reducing emissions and creating sustainable jobs in underserved communities. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Donnel for his decade of service and leadership, and we look forward to continuing to work with him as we embark on the journey ahead. With our new leadership team that also includes Sydney T. as Chief Operating Officer and Karli Swift as General Counsel, BlocPower is well-positioned to move forward with making cities smarter, greener and healthier. Together, we will continue our work to build a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.

Did you know that the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) considers September Workforce Development Month? In recognition of this month, our employee video series features Dr. Charisse Taylor, Ed.L.D., LMSW, BlocPower's Head of Workforce Development. We know that we need to address the construction skills gap if we want to electrify communities at scale, and Charisse is instrumental in forging partnerships across the country to ensure our program participants are getting both the clean energy skills and the wraparound services they need to be successful in the green economy. To learn more about what impacts our programs have, watch Dr. Taylor's full video here: https://lnkd.in/e5bBnu36

We're honored to be included in this amazing work of art--thanks, Nicole Kelner! Happy New York Climate Week everyone!

Want to know how to get community buy-in before even pulling permits for decarbonization projects? Join us tomorrow for a BlocPower-hosted webinar on "Importance of Community: Building Grassroots Support." Bring your questions and insights to share with Adrien and Caitlin as they talk about the amazing work they've been doing in Denver and California! Register here: https://lnkd.in/ejt7cARA

New York Climate Week is days away, and we hope you can make it to one of the many amazing events around town that will discuss solutions to save the future of our planet. One such event will be the Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit on Tuesday, September 24. Donnel Baird (one of the 50 climate leaders named to the Forbes Sustainability Leaders list this morning) will be there to discuss how we can responsibly use data and AI to create more dynamic energy models for buildings, and how it can addresses climate equity in under-resourced communities. You can apply to attend in person or register to attend virtually here: https://lnkd.in/ePqs4UFK

BlocPower is hosting the second webinar in our Race to Decarbonize series. This session on "Importance of Community: Building Grassroots Support" will be held on September 24th at 1pm ET/10am PT. The webinar will feature panelists Adrien Horton, BlocPower's Lead Clean Energy Project Associate, and Terri Jackson, the Executive Director of the African American Trade Association and a member of our Denver Community Advisory Board. Adrien and Terri will discuss the most effective ways to build community trust when implementing city-scale decarbonization programs. Caitlin Benedict, BlocPower's Deputy Program Manager in California, will moderate the webinar and share some of the outreach strategies she's employed on the West Coast. Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/ebPTAiHi

We’re thrilled to share a workforce success story coming out of Houston! Joshua worked 13 jobs in 13 years at Goodwill before signing up for BlocPower's heat pump training through the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator program. He wanted to get back to working with his hands, which is something he enjoyed doing while serving in the US Coast Guard. After graduating from the program's very first cohort, he landed a job as an HVAC maintenance technician in Houston—and he's certainly had his hands full keeping people cool in the heat of a Texas summer! Joshua says if you’re thinking about making a career change, just go for it because “you’ll never know unless you jump.” Read his full story here: https://lnkd.in/ejGhK_mx

Get excited! Donnel Baird will be a keynote speaker at the 2024 Net Zero Conference in Anaheim, CA next week. Hosted by Verdical Group, this event will bring together experts in climate, net zero, ESG, equity, carbon, and resilience. If you're in the area, come out and experience the insightful educational sessions, notable keynotes, and exciting tours being offered. Get 10% off by entering code NETZERO10 when you register here: https://hubs.li/Q02z_4L50