Growing the Energy Central Community with our Community Ambassadors

I shared some insights into Energy Central’s then brand-new Community Ambassador program back in October, and as we turn to the dog days of Summer and the participants continue to make great strides I thought it was due time for an article celebrating these vital members of the Energy Central community, this exciting program, and some tips into how and why you might get involved as well.

What is the Community Ambassador Program?

Our Community Ambassador Program was established to help encourage continued, sustainable growth in the Energy Central so the members of the community, the content being posted, and the discussions being had would only become more valuable to our readers and to the utility sector as a whole.

Our Ambassadors strive to look within their networks and across the industry widely to bring in new authors to share insights, utility leaders to provide perspective, and stakeholders who round out the value of the community. They also take a leading role in sharing content they find, kickstarting conversations in the community, and more.

Those who are in the Community Ambassador also act as a sort of inner circle for gauging what’s going on in the Energy Central Community—we have regular calls and emails to discuss the state of the community, brainstorm new and exciting ideas, and share ways in which Energy Central can be improved for all involved!

Who are the Ambassadors?

Our roster of Ambassadors has grown to include almost 20 professionals from across utilities, consultancies, solution providers, advocates, academia, and more:

• Linda Stevens, 51by1
• Charley Rattan, Charley Rattan Associates
• Joshua Aldridge, The Mosaic Company
• Jason Price, West Monroe
• Rahul Krishna Pandey, Tech Mahindra
• Alan King, Dusk Mobile
• Roger Arnold, Silverthorn Engineering
• Mark Silverstone, JMP Services
• Gary Cunningham, Tradition Energy
• Rami Reshef, GenCell Energy
• Susan Brissette, Wild Matriarch Inc.
• Benoit Marcoux, ChargeHub
• Will Dixon, Path Data Science
• Jim Stack, Phoenix EAA
• Edouard Lotz, Ecoslops
• Chris Amstutz, Choice! Energy Management
• Al Karaki, 4iAfrica

What are the Ambassadors saying about the program?

As we look to grow the Community Ambassador program, I asked them to share some thoughts about the value they’ve gotten from being an Ambassador. Here’s a few things they had to say:

“I saw becoming a Community Ambassador on Energy Central as an essential way for me to network with like-minded energy professionals. I also found the experience rewarding by meeting new people and staying in the know. Especially now that everything has gone virtual staying connected with fellow ambassadors is the closest things to attending an industry conference given that people from all facets of the energy and utility industry converge on one platform.”

“Few people, if any, are well versed in all energy related disciplines.  Energy Central is a great way to learn about energy disciplines other than in our “comfort zones”.  There is a constant stream of new and useful information and viewpoints.”

“Energy Central has amassed a considerable following and for newcomers to the field this is extremely important to stay in the know and on top of the latest thinking. I turn to my fellow ambassadors for Q&A, general insight, and the quarterly calls are great to hear and connect with the group to share knowledge and know that we are all in this together whether it is a global pandemic or the dynamics of an energy future.“               

“Perhaps the best aspect is that there is little or no hierarchy in Energy Central. Everyone has their say. No one seems to dominate. There are gatekeepers to be sure, but they keep as low a profile as possible in order to facilitate the constructive exchange of ideas.”

How can you get involved?

We’re always looking for new participants in the Energy Central Community Ambassador program. If you’re passionate about the industry, want to expand your understanding of and influence in the field, and are excited about engaging in discussions about the hot topics of the day, then we want to hear from you!

You can see more information and apply here, or feel free to reach out to me directly at mchester@energycentral.com.