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2025 PACE Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Clean Energy Financing

PACENation, the national association dedicated to promoting Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, recently announced the recent recipients of the PACE Champions and PACESetter Awards at the 2025 PACENation Summit. This prestigious event highlighted the efforts of individuals and teams who have significantly impacted the PACE marketplace, enhancing local economies and promoting energy-efficient initiatives.

At the core of the award ceremony were 17 leaders who were distinguished for their unwavering dedication to PACE financing, an essential mechanism for property owners seeking to improve the efficiency of their buildings. Mary Luévano, the Executive Director of PACENation, acknowledged the transformative impact of these awardees by stating, "The PACE Award winners' accomplishments have helped accelerate the industry from an $8 billion market six years ago to a $20 billion market today."

The Importance of PACE Financing

The PACE financing model not only facilitates energy-efficient upgrades for properties but has also demonstrated significant economic benefits. With an estimated over $36.6 billion promoted in local economic development and a reduction of about 17 million metric tons of carbon emissions, the PACE program has been pivotal in creating around 269,000 local jobs. This financial tool empowers property owners to take charge of their energy utilization, resulting in both cost savings and environmental benefits.

Celebrating Leadership and Innovation

Among the distinguished awardees in the 2025 PACE Champions category were Colin Kalvas from Bricker Graydon and Rafi Golberstein of PACE Loan Group. These individuals have shown extraordinary leadership and innovation within the PACE industry, enhancing its infrastructure and expanding its reach over the years. Colin Kalvas, expressing his gratitude for receiving the PACE Champion Award, noted, "Receiving the PACE Champion Award is a personal highlight, and I want to thank PACENation and my industry colleagues for this honor."

The PACESetter Awards recognized individuals and teams for their valuable contributions in several categories:

• - Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: LaShanya Washington and Tom Nida from City First Bank were acknowledged for their significant efforts in enhancing inclusivity within the PACE marketplace.
• - Excellence in Program Design and Implementation: Eric Christensen from New Mexico C-PACE earned this award for his outstanding contributions to program effectiveness.
• - Excellence in Advocacy and Policy Innovation: Steve Wiese of Keeping PACE in Texas and Senator Lindsey Port from Minnesota were among those honored for their groundbreaking policy work.
• - Innovative Deals of the Year: Various teams were recognized based on the financial size of their projects, with the top-tier award going to AREA 15 Project Team led by North Bridge for projects over $50 million.

Additionally, the event highlighted the prominence of women leaders in the PACE sector, with Kim Bebchuk from PACE Loan Group being recognized for her significant influence and leadership.

About PACENation

Founded as a nonprofit membership organization, PACENation advocates for broader access to PACE financing, offering critical resources and support to local governments and non-profits committed to helping property owners enhance both the efficiency and resilience of their structures. Through their efforts, PACENation continues to foster an environment where communities can embrace innovative financing models to achieve sustainability and economic growth.

As the PACE marketplace evolves, the recognition given at the 2025 PACENation Summit serves as a powerful reminder of the positive change driven by visionary leaders dedicated to clean energy initiatives. Their contributions are vital for both current and future generations in building a more efficient and resilient economy.