Energy Efficiency Leader Appointed
Bonneville Environmental Foundation CEO

Nonprofit Continues Quest to Power Change in Renewable Energy

PORTLAND, Ore. – (November 13, 2007) Margie Gardner is leaving her post as executive director of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) to join Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) as chief executive officer.

“After a national search, we have found the best qualified candidate here at our home in Portland,” said Ralph Cavanagh, BEF vice-chair.  “Because of Margie’s success along every step in her career – particularly in leading the NEEA through growth and high productivity – she’s the ideal executive to lead BEF as a catalyst for change in the renewable energy industry.”

During her ten-year tenure with NEEA, Gardner transformed NEEA into the premier regional energy efficiency group.  She and her team created leverage by working with local utilities to achieve greater energy savings, encouraging new technologies and providing training platforms to help utility customers become more energy efficient. As a result, NEEA has produced 160 MW of electricity savings at a cost of about 1 cent/KwH.  Prior to NEEA, Gardner served in senior staff positions at the Northwest Power Planning Council and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

According to Gardner, “While I am tremendously proud of the work that my team and I have accomplished at NEEA, I am looking forward to combining my interests in both watershed restoration and renewable energy in my new position with BEF.” 

Gardner will replace Angus Duncan, founding president and CEO of BEF.  Duncan will remain as president on a half-time basis, and will devote the remainder of his time to focus on Oregon and regional global warming issues with The Energy Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“There is no one I could have more confidence in to lead BEF forward than Margie,” said Duncan.  “We’ve had a professional relationship for more than 15 years, and my respect for her energy and judgment has only grown stronger.  We’re particularly encouraged to have a new CEO with a background in renewable energy and watershed restoration, our two main areas of focus.”

About Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Bonneville Environmental Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental organization founded in 1998 to further the development and use of new renewable energy resources and to restore watershed ecosystems. With the goal of powering change, BEF reduces dependency on fossil fuels by adopting clean, environmentally-friendly sources of energy. For more information, visit
http://b-e-f.org.