Posted on November 21, 2022
The Business Network for Offshore Wind’s second annual Ventus Gala recognizes achievements across the supply chain
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Business Network for Offshore Wind, the leading non-profit dedicated to accelerating offshore wind development and building a supply chain in the United States, hosted the second annual Ventus Gala in Washington, D.C. The Network honored Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and the trailblazing people, companies, and organizations whose work over the past year has helped usher in the global adoption of offshore wind.. The event, which is the largest awards gathering that recognizes achievements in offshore wind, also celebrated the 2022 Ventus Award winners in nine categories, including Innovation of the Year, Offshore Wind Leadership, Viterna Award for Excellence in Engineering, and the Heronemus Award for Outstanding Achievement in Offshore Wind. See the full list of finalists here.
The 2022 winners include Vineyard Wind for Offshore Wind Leadership, Eagle Wu, CEO of VinciVR for Next-Gen Leadership, and the Maryland Energy Administration for Supply Chain Advancement in the Public Sector. Secretary Raimondo was awarded the Heronemus Award for Outstanding Achievement in Offshore Wind. The Ventus Awards and Gala are presented in partnership with Recharge, whose editor-in-chief Darius Snieckus emceed the evening’s events.
“The 2022 Ventus Award winners and finalists embody the tremendous progress we have seen across the industry in just the past year and demonstrate why the best is yet to come for American offshore wind,” said Liz Burdock, CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. “Up and down our coasts and at every level of the supply chain, leaders are deploying ingenuity, creativity, and excellence to secure a clean energy future—and offshore wind is at the forefront. We congratulate the Ventus Award winners and look forward to seeing the barriers they will continue to break as this fast-growing industry continues to take off.”
“This year’s Ventus Awards come the day after the U.S. government opened further draft wind energy areas in the Central Atlantic with over 20 gigawatts of potential capacity – including the first floating wind acreage off the east coast – underlines the industry0building momentum building in the sector,” said Recharge Editor in Chief Darius Snieckus.
2022 Ventus Award Winners
Heronemus Award for Outstanding Achievement in Offshore Wind
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
This award is given to an individual whose leadership, dedication, and unwavering perseverance to accelerate the offshore wind industry.
Advancement in Project Siting & Development
WSP USA – New York, New York
Given to an individual, team, or company that has developed a technology, process, or demonstrated immense effort and collaboration to advance or reduce offshore wind project development risk, cycle, or timeline.
Health, Safety & Environment Program of the Year
Massachusetts Maritime Academy – Bourne, Mass.
RelyOn Nutec – Houma, Louisiana
Recognizes an organization’s successful implementation of policies and/or training programs.
Innovation of the Year
Aker Solutions – Oslo, Norway
Singular innovation that will contribute to the acceleration of offshore wind.
Next-Gen Leadership
Eagle Wu – Boston, Massachusetts
Recognizes a professional who is 35-years-old or younger and has been in the industry less than ten years.
Offshore Wind Leadership
Vineyard Wind – New Bedford, Massachusetts
Given to a company or public entity that exhibits outstanding leadership, benefiting industry growth, development, and market maturation.
Supply Chain Advancement Award – Private Sector
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company – Houston, Texas
Recognizes a company making a lasting contribution to the advancement of the offshore wind energy supply chain.
Supply Chain Advancement Award – Public Sector
Maryland Energy Administration – Baltimore, Maryland
Recognizes a public sector entity making a lasting contribution to the advancement of the offshore wind energy supply chain.
Talent Management Leadership
Ørsted – Boston, Mass. (HQ: Fredericia, Denmark)
Recognizes individuals who nurture and develop a new generation of leaders.
Viterna Award for Excellence in Engineering
Jason Jonkman, National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Golden, Colorado
Recognizes excellence in engineering that advances the offshore wind energy industry. Given to an individual or team, it is named after NASA scientist Larry Viterna who, with fellow scientist Bob Corrigan, developed the Viterna Method, which is the most widely used method to predict wind turbine performance and increase the efficiency of turbine output.
The Ventus award represents the intertwining of elements to create a harmonious balance of elegance and strength. It is the swirling gusts and the rolling tides—a culmination of the natural cyclical process and a reminder that only by the combination of efforts can we effect the change we wish to see. Each award is created from hand blown glass by artist Tim McFadden in his Baltimore studio.
For more information or to arrange an interview with a Ventus Award winner or one of the Network’s experts, contact Melinda Skea at melinda@offshorewindus.org or 202-709-9793.
The Business Network for Offshore Wind is the largest non-profit organization dedicated solely to building a robust offshore wind supply chain and expanding adoption of offshore wind energy. It advances the industry through collaboration, education, and innovation, including the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF), the leading offshore wind conference in North America, and the OSW Market Dashboard. Learn more at offshorewindus.org.
