Ben Taube Named ‘Emerging Leader’ for Atlanta: Winner of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2011 Environmental Award
Atlanta, Ga., March 25, 2011 – The Atlanta Business Chronicle has recognized Ben Taube, executive director of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA), as a rising leader who is shaping Atlanta’s environmental landscape by selecting Taube as the first winner of its Emerging Leader award. The award was presented today at the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s fourth annual Environmental Awards breakfast at the Georgia Aquarium.
When Taube became SEEA’s first executive director in 2007, he was the nonprofit’s only employee and oversaw a budget of less than $100,000. Under his leadership, four years later, SEEA has an annual operating budget of $4.4 million and a staff of 15. The budget includes substantial financial support from the federal government to help meet energy efficiency goals in the region.
“The most important accomplishment to date is winning a $20 million award in 2010 from the Department of Energy to work with 13 cities across the Southeast to build sustained community-based energy-efficiency programs,” Taube said.
SEEA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Alliance to Save Energy in Washington, D.C., is the only regional energy-efficiency initiative in the Southeast, representing 12 Southeastern states and U.S territories. SEEA leverages existing relationships with utilities, energy service companies and state energy offices to reduce energy use.
“We are pleased, but not a bit surprised, that Ben was recognized as an emerging environmental leader in Atlanta,” said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy. “Under his direction, SEEA has helped the Southeast embrace energy efficiency through a variety of programs, including the SEEA BetterBuilding Program, a building codes program and an industrial program to maximize energy efficiency and minimize energy waste.”
Prior to joining SEEA, Taube served as the public affairs manager for the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, director of government affairs for EcoSMART Technologies and environmental manager for the city of Atlanta, where he was responsible for developing and enhancing environmental initiatives and policy.
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The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) promotes energy efficiency for a cleaner environment, a more prosperous economy, and a higher quality of life in the Southeastern region of the United States. www.seealliance.org
The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, the economy and national security.
