2026 CHP AWARDS
Each year during the Summit, the Alliance recognizes exemplary talent in the CHP industry. Please join us in congratulating the 2026 winners!
Lifetime Achievement
Bruce Hedman
Bruce has been a longstanding leader in the CHP community, providing years of technical expertise and research to the Department of Energy (DOE) on the benefits, applications, and emissions-reduction potential of CHP. He has also been a key partner to the CHP Alliance, providing technical analysis and insights that have strengthened federal policy advocacy and helped educate policymakers and the public on CHP’s value.
CHP Champion
Meegan Kelly
Team Lead
DOE Industrial Technologies Office
Meegan is being recognized for two decades of leadership and technical expertise advancing DOE’s Onsite Energy/CHP Program, including developing key tools, resources, and technical analysis, including the CHP Installation Database that have supported CHP. She has also been a dedicated mentor and thought leader, contributing to the growth of the next generation of energy professionals.
Justin Rathke
President
Veristar Energy
With more than 25 years dedicated to CHP, Justin has played a significant role in expanding the industry through project development and promoting distributed energy. Through his leadership at Vergent Power Solutions (now Veristar Energy), he has helped bring dozens of CHP projects totaling more than $200 million in value to communities and businesses across North America.
Outstanding Young Professional
Sid Thatham
Utility Energy Engineer
University of Cincinnati
Through his research, presentations, and work at the University of Cincinnati, Sid has emerged as a strong voice for the role of CHP in addressing America’s evolving energy needs. His work emphasizes was to support grid reliability, energy resilience, and efficient infrastructure, particularly as AI and data center growth drive unprecedented demand for electricity.
Project of the Year
Emplify Health
Onalaska Clinic
The CHP project at Onalaska Clinic integrates microturbines into a 100% renewable microgrid alongside solar and battery storage, converting local waste into reliable, resilient energy for critical healthcare operations.
DTE Vantage
Dearborn Central Energy Plant
This CHP facility was co-developed by Ford, DTE Vantage, and DTE Electric to provide flexible, efficient, and cost-competitive electric and thermal energy tailored to Ford’s Research and Engineering Campus demands.
Past Winners
2025 Winners
- CHP Lifetime Achievement Award — Jeff Beiter
- CHP Lifetime Achievement Award — Shelby Ahmann
- CHP Champion Award — Marlon Cabrera
- Outstanding Young Professional Award — Jessie Gillis
- CHP Project of the Year Award — Caterpillar Inc. & US DOE: Flexible Natural Gas/Hydrogen 2MWe CHP System Development & Demonstration
2024 Winners
- CHP Lifetime Achievement Award — Thomas R. Casten
- CHP Champion Award — Marcus Martin
- Outstanding Young Professional Award — Matt Quinn
- CHP Project of the Year Award — H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies, Inc. SoHyCal Project
- CHP Project of the Year Award — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center CHP Project
2023 Winners
- CHP Congressional Champion Award — Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
- CHP Lifetime Achievement Award — John Cuttica
- CHP Champion Award — Kyle Krow
- Outstanding Young Professional Award — Dr. Carlos Gamarra
- CHP Project of the Year Award — Morristown Medical Center CHP Plant
- CHP Project of the Year Award — University of Cincinnati, Central and East Utility Plants
2022 Winners
- CHP Congressional Champion Award — Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
- CHP Lifetime Achievement Award — Robert Gemmer
- CHP Champion Award — Al Clark
- CHP Champion Award — Chairman Dan Scripps
- Outstanding Young Professional Award — Edward Machado
- Outstanding Young Professional Award — Matthew Nyquist
- Outstanding Young Professional Award — Graeme Miller
- Project of the Year Award — Duke Energy CHP System at Purdue University
- Project of the Year Award — Hewlett Packard Enterprise CHP Plant in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico