The global efficiency leader temporarily replaces Jason Hartke, who is leaving to pursue a new opportunity   

WASHINGTON – The Alliance to Save Energy announced Thursday that Clay Nesler, a global champion of energy efficiency and veteran of Johnson Controls, will serve as the organization’s interim president.

Nesler, who also served previously on the Alliance Board, will start Dec. 9, taking the reins from Alliance president Jason Hartke, who is leaving to pursue a new opportunity.

“We are excited that Clay is stepping in just as the Alliance is poised to launch some of its most ambitious initiatives yet to accelerate energy efficiency,” said Alliance Board Chairman Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of the New York Power Authority. “Clay is a well-known leader in our field with a stellar reputation, a strong command of energy efficiency, and a tremendous track record of bringing together stakeholders. I’m thankful to Clay for stepping up as an Executive On-Loan from Johnson Controls.”

For the past 36 years, Nesler has been leading a variety of energy, sustainability, and industry initiatives at Johnson Controls, a global leader in building technologies and solutions with 105,000 employees in 150 countries. During his tenure, he has played a leadership role in research, product development, marketing, strategy, corporate sustainability and regulatory affairs. He serves on the board of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and the Department of Energy’s State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action). He helped establish the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Building Efficiency Accelerator and serves as co-chair of the Industrial Advisory Board of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center and is a member of the International Energy Agency’s Energy Efficiency Industry Advisory Board.

“I am honored to be asked to lead the Alliance at a time when the world is relying more than ever on energy efficiency to deliver unprecedented environmental, economic, and social impacts,” said Nesler. “I look forward to building on the leadership and success demonstrated by Jason and the Alliance team in advancing energy efficiency policy and action in Washington and around the world.”

Over the coming weeks, the Alliance Board will convene a committee to initiate and conduct a global search to identify and name a new president.

Hartke, who leaves the Alliance after nearly two years, is taking on a new position in the private sector. “The Alliance is one of the great energy organizations of the last four decades. I’m honored to be part of its storied history and all the work we accomplished,” said Hartke. “And I’m thrilled to be able to pass the baton on to Clay, who is one of the few leaders who can – from day one – hit the ground running. Clay will not only guarantee a smooth transition but also ensure the Alliance continues steady progress on its bold mission to realize the full potential of energy efficiency.”

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.

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