“No one knows the power of Jan’s ‘champion of change’ approach better than AWWI,” said Kevin Knobloch, President of the Union of Concerned Scientists, a leading science organization that was one of the national NGOs that launched AWWI with NRG Systems and other wind energy companies, and is represented on its Board of Directors. “Jan has steadfastly and often times in the face of adversity led AWWI as Board Chair, and in the process, fostered the creative collaboration that we need in order to forge a new clean energy economy.” 

 

“Jan’s leadership sets a new standard for developing creative solutions to the challenges facing renewable energy,” said Jim Walker, Vice Chairman of the Board of enXco, Member of the AWWI Board of Directors, and an AWWI Founding Partner.  “She leads us all to common ground without sacrificing ambitious goals or ignoring any stakeholder.”

 

Under Jan Blittersdorf’s leadership, NRG Systems was one of the nine wind energy industry companies including enXco that, together with the Union of Concerned Scientists and six national conservation and environmental groups launched AWWI to facilitate wind energy while protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. Through AWWI’s innovative and distinctive approach, leading wind energy companies and conservation nonprofits including the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Defenders of Wildlife, Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and Union of Concerned Scientists work directly with each other to address tough issues and forge workable solutions.   

 

 “Jan is a change agent -with her at the helm, AWWI carves out new ground to find solutions to wind's impact on wildlife  and brings industry and conservation partners together  to think differently, creatively and innovatively toward a clean energy future," said Abby Arnold, Executive Director of AWWI, who is also a member of the WoWE Board of Directors. “Jan's life work, from her corporate leadership at NRG Systems to her participation in WoWE and her commitment to AWWI, is helping chart new directions and offers a model for us all.”