Energy District Director to Take Sabbatical
I’ll write this in first person because farewells – even temporary ones – are personal. Most good and meaningful work is also inseparable from our personal/family lives (my wife Emily might say too much so, but she can’t say it too loudly as she’s a Certified Nurse Midwife!)
I’ve been leading Winneshiek Energy District since its inception from wide and deep community conversation in 2010. These conversations continue to grow and deepen, from our monthly “Energy Breakfasts” at T-Bock’s to coffeeshops and kitchen tables throughout the county. Beginning in August, I’ll be taking a year-long hiatus to live and work with my family in Nicaragua. There’s nothing easy about a year abroad, and no ideal time to go. But contributing our time and talents and exposing our kids to the world beyond our borders has been a long-standing commitment for us. I’ll be leading a small foundation focused on a combination of education and sustainable agriculture, and Emily will be coordinating the girls’ education and (inevitably) getting involved in public and women’s health in the community.
Here at the Energy District, we’ve been focused from the beginning on energy planning with all energy users, and community mobilization and momentum building. This work will continue apace with David Paquette stepping in as Interim Director, Joel Zook continuing to manage technical programs, our strongest ever Green Iowa AmeriCorps team starting up again in September, a growing highly committed board, and new project and program opportunities in the works.
Most importantly, however, the amazing things happening in the local energy arena will continue because of YOU. Energy Districts modeled after Soil and Water Conservation Districts are not meant to be “Do-It-By-Themselves” organizations, but rather facilitators of a locally-led movement focused on grabbing the opportunities in front of us at the local level. Those opportunities – in energy efficiency and renewable energy, in keeping energy wealth local and tackling climate change – are open to all of us. Every year, every month even, we’re seeing a groundswell of interest and action, and the Energy District will continue to motivate, lead and partner on innovative and impactful action.
I look forward to seeing more tremendous changes upon returning in July 2014, and possibly even more Energy Districts starting up around Iowa. Thanks to everyone involved with the organization and with all local energy and climate efforts for all you do – On On!
Best, Andy Johnson