Ben Rupert

Ben Rupert is currently an independent commercial and industrial energy management consultant with more than 15 years’ experience developing, implementing, and refining efficiency programs in a variety of contexts and locations. He is also an aspiring stay at home dad with two amazing kids: An almost two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and a ten-month-old son. Prior to going rogue, Ben was the Vice President of Operations for the Benningfield Group, an energy and software consulting firm based in Folsom, CA. His focus was primarily on strategic business development and facilitating close collaboration with the State of California, regional utilities and the ISO (Independent System Operator).

Ben also spent many years living in the Seattle area, where he was employed as the Energy Manager for King County, Washington’s Department of Executive Services. In this role, he enabled King County to optimize utility resource usage and reduce operating costs in ~6 million square feet of owned and leased facilities. In less than three years, he brought in over $1.2 million in savings and outside revenue for conservation projects. He also coordinated and directed Division conservation efforts by recommending and implementing diverse energy and water projects and policy initiatives.  He represented the Division in all relevant policy development and implementation, and at public County Council hearings.

Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away (and prior to the aforementioned roles) he was once a Program Manager in Puget Sound Energy’s Energy Efficiency Services group, and in that role responsible for creation, coordination and implementation of Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency programs. Even longer ago, Ben was the Resource Conservation Manager for the City of Bellingham, WA and was able to create a solid foundation for Bellingham’s ongoing resource efficiency program through integrating conservation goals into all municipal departments.

While living in western Washington state, Ben became involved in and later led the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers. He is a Certified Energy Manager and is excited to be getting involved with AEE’s National Capital Chapter.