The Center for EcoTechnology helps people
and businesses save energy and reduce waste.
We work with partners throughout the country to address climate change by transforming the way we live and work – for a better community, economy, and environment.
For more than 40 years, our innovative non-profit organization has offered practical solutions to save money, increase the health and comfort of our homes, and help businesses perform better.
WE MAKE GREEN MAKE SENSE
Impact
Financial Information
The Center for EcoTechnology is a Platinum Participant in GuideStar Exchange, provided by Candid, Inc., the premier source of nonprofit information. This Seal demonstrates our commitment to transparency and accountability. Follow the link to view our financial reports, IRS 990 tax returns and more.
CET’s History
Since 1976, the Center for EcoTechnology has helped lead the way to a more sustainable society through innovative pilot programs and production scale services. With our partners in the community and government and business, our collective efforts have transformed the way we live and work for a better community, economy and environment. Here is a sampling of some of our work together over the years:
1970s: Heightened awareness of the environment signified by first Earth Day, national environmental legislation (Clean Air and Clean Water acts, National Energy Act) and establishment of EPA; decade of oil crises and oil embargo.
1976 – CET Founded
1976 – CET was founded in Pittsfield, Massachusetts:
CET is one of the few environmental organizations of its kind across the country that was founded in the 1970s and still exists today in a similar form
1980s: High energy costs; increased interest in conservation; solar tax credits; decade of the garbage crisis.
1990s – Utility energy efficiency programs grew; federal solar tax incentives disappeared; electric restructuring occurred; municipal recycling grows
2000s: Some increased public awareness about climate change; MA Global Warming Solutions Act and Green Communities Act enacted, MA became a national leader in investment in efficiency and renewable energy; Mass DEP expanded waste bans/recycling programs.
2010-present: Growing awareness of climate change; state energy goals skyrocket; wasted food becomes a major regional and national issue; upcycling becomes stylish; CET undergoes a statewide and regional expansion
1970s: Heightened awareness of the environment signified by first Earth Day, national environmental legislation (Clean Air and Clean Water acts, National Energy Act) and establishment of EPA; decade of oil crises and oil embargo.
1976 – CET Founded
1976 – CET was founded in Pittsfield, Massachusetts:
CET is one of the few environmental organizations of its kind across the country that was founded in the 1970s and still exists today in a similar form
1980s: High energy costs; increased interest in conservation; solar tax credits; decade of the garbage crisis.
1990s: Utility energy efficiency programs grew; federal solar tax incentives disappeared; electric restructuring occurred; municipal recycling grows.
2000s: Some increased public awareness about climate change; MA Global Warming Solutions Act and Green Communities Act enacted, MA became a national leader in investment in efficiency and renewable energy; Mass DEP expanded waste bans/recycling programs.
2010-present: Growing awareness of climate change; state energy goals skyrocket; wasted food becomes a major regional and national issue; upcycling becomes stylish; CET undergoes a statewide and regional expansion.
Leadership
John Majercak
Lorenzo Macaluso
Jae McAuley
Emily Susan Gaylord
Lisa Dufour
Board of Directors
…is a community member who most recently served as the Vice President of Administration & Employment Services for Berkshire County Arc. BCArc serves 700 individuals & families with disabilities in both Berkshire & Hampden counties. He is a member of the Employment Consortium, a statewide initiative of the Massachusetts Partnership for Transitions to Employment (MPTE), whose goal is to increase the employment of people with disabilities throughout the state. He has been a PSIA adaptive ski instructor for Stride Adaptive Sports at Jiminy Peak for 17 years.
…was in the construction business for 32 years. In addition to his leadership as the previous owner of Integrity Development and Construction, which he founded in 1991, he is very active in the community. He is currently the Pioneer Valley United Way Campaign co-chair, is commissioner at the Amherst Housing Authority, and chair of the Amherst Community Preservation Committee. In 2007, he received the Millicent H. Kauffman Distinguished Service Award from the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.
…is the former President and Chief Executive of Community Bank System, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-traded banking company with 180 branches. Now retired, Belden is an active member in the community. He serves on the boards of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Smith College, Road Scholar, and Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity. Belden earned a doctorate in agricultural economics from Purdue University.
…is a community member and former Senior Vice President for System Planning and Program Development at Berkshire Health Systems. She also served as its Chief Operating Officer from 1995 – 2001. Her community involvement includes serving as President of the Berkshire Theatre Group’s Board of Trustees, as well as being a member of Berkshire Priorities and Pittsfield Promise, and the Non-Profit Business Network Steering Committee. Ms. Blodgett received her MBA from the University of Chicago.
…is a Senior Trustee at the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation and former President and Chief Operating Officer of American Saw & Mfg. Company in East Longmeadow, MA. Beyond his service to the Davis Foundation, Steve Davis has a rigorous civic life and serves on the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, is a trustee of American International College, a trustee of the Springfield Symphony and is a former Director of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council.
…is a community member active in the local community and lives in Pittsfield. She currently serves on the boards of Berkshire Health Systems and Berkshire Theater Group and is a Commissioner for the United States National Commission for UNESCO. She received her B.A. from UMass Amherst and is the wife of former Pittsfield Mayor Evan Dobelle.
…is a former Co-Director of the Center for EcoTechnology. Ms. Dubester was employed by CET from 1977 to 2010. Her responsibilities included program design, development, oversight, and administration; community outreach and public relations; and liaison with program funders. She received a B.A. in History (University of Rochester), as well as Masters Degrees in Education (Antioch College) and Public Administration (Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government). Ms. Dubester is currently on leave of absence.
…is President of the Center for EcoTechnology. John has been with Center for EcoTechnology for over 25 years, bringing a positive vision, strong background in environmental science, and successful track record to the President role. EcoBuilding Bargains came to fruition through his vision and leadership, and recently underwent a $3.5 million expansion including a deep energy retrofit of an older commercial building. John serves on the Board of Directors of the Northampton Chamber of Commerce, and recently served on the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Non Profit Business Network Advisory Board and the ROCA Springfield Advisory Board. He received a B.A. in Biology from Cornell.
…is the Director of Search Services for United Personnel, where she focuses on business development and search services for the nonprofit community in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and executive search for their professional division. Jennifer brings almost 10 years of experience in the sustainability arena, having served most recently as Executive Director of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). Prior to joining NESEA, Jennifer served as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Cox Communications and as an adjunct faculty member for the Executive Development Center at Bryant University. Jennifer has a JD from the University of California, Berkeley, an MA in Organizational Management and Development from Fielding University, and a BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin. She serves on the Board of Directors for Camp Howe and the Deerfield, MA Local Cultural Council, and is a former board member of Big Sisters of Rhode Island. She lives with her family in a deep-energy-retrofitted ranch house in South Deerfield, MA.
…is Professor of International Environmental Policy at the Fletcher School, Tufts University. He conducts research on the technology and economics of energy and environmental policies and works internationally and domestically with groups that develop solutions to environmental problems. Prior to coming to Tufts, he taught chemistry and environmental studies at Williams for 26 years. He served on the Williamstown Planning Board and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. He and his wife Margot enjoy their new LEED-certified Williamstown home, which uses no fossil fuels and is a net-zero energy residence.
…is an independent consultant and environmental educator, specializing in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resource conservation. She recently retired from CET, where she worked for more than three decades on innovative programs focusing on local solutions to energy issues that benefit the economy, natural environment, and quality of life for community members. She began her career at the Alaska Division of Energy and Power Development in the late 1970’s and went on to work for state and regional non-profit organizations in Washington State, New Mexico, and Massachusetts. Nancy received a B.A. from Hampshire College and a Masters of Education with a concentration in science education from the University of Washington. Nancy serves on the Board of Directors of Energy Federation, Inc. and is a Board member emerita of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation.
…has over 25 years in technical and leadership positions primarily within the highly specialized paper industry. Steve was with Crane & Co., Inc. for over 20 years, most recently as Vice President in charge of manufacturing, engineering and environmental services. Currently he is developing a former Crane & Co. Inc. factory building in Dalton, Mass., with the intent of creating a marketplace for local artisan products and sustainable businesses. Steve currently holds board positions within the Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, the Mount Greylock Ski Club and the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation.
…is the owner of Boston Bay Consulting. Drawing on over 25 years of experience, he offers government relations services, business and project development, and management assistance to those working in agriculture, fisheries, and food systems. He has also served as USDA Rural Development State Director for Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Executive Director of the Cranberry Marketing Committee USA. Mr. Soares began his career at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources where he held a variety of leadership positions including the Commonwealth’s first Aquaculture Program Director and culminating with a gubernatorial appointment as Commissioner of the Department in 2009. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Soares received a double major in Biology and Marine Biology from UMass Dartmouth and completed course work in aquaculture and fisheries at University of Rhode Island.
…is a retired professional whose three decades of experience in marketing, sales, and product development include being Director of Marketing at Fazzi Associates, Vice President of Marketing at Monson Savings Bank, President of her own consulting firm, MarCom Capital, and Second Vice President for Market Development at Phoenix Home Life. In addition to her role on CET’s Board, her community engagement activities have included serving on the most recent strategic planning committee for the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and as a board member for the Chamber, the Hampshire County Regional Chamber, the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council, and the United Way of Hampshire County.
Alan and Laura Award
The award honors Alan and Laura, who co-directed the Center for EcoTechnology for 30 years. They retired from their Co-Director positions in 2010.
Alan and Laura were pioneers in the environmental movement. From 1977 to 2010 they worked tirelessly to create and implement many successful and innovative community-based environmental initiatives and inspire others to do the same. Read more about CET’s history and accomplishments.
The award honors Alan and Laura’s achievements at CET, and brings recognition to individuals who demonstrate community and environmental leadership through their vision, persistence, collaboration, community education and accomplishments.
Award Recipients
2019 Award Recipient
2018 Award Recipient
2017 Award Recipient
2016 Award Recipient
2015 Award Recipient
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