Markham District Energy President & CEO Commences Term
as Chair of the International District Energy Association
MARKHAM, ON – July 1, 2015 – During the annual chair’s recognition and awards banquet held as part of the International District Energy Association’s (IDEA) 106th annual conference and tradeshow in Boston, MA, Markham District Energy president & CEO, Bruce Ander, officially began his term as chair of the Association. Having accepted the ceremonial gavel from the previous year’s chair, Ken Smith, president & CEO of District Energy St. Paul, Ander addressed his industry colleagues.
“Let me start by saying what a true honour and privilege it is to chair the IDEA for this coming year,” said Ander. “I have always placed a significant value on dedicating time to serve our industry. What we do and represent here at IDEA is foundational to every city’s environmental, resiliency and economic development strategies and I couldn’t be more proud of the IDEA and its 106 year history.”
Ander went on to add how he looks forward to working with the Association’s industry leading board of directors and IDEA’s dedicated staff led by president & CEO, Rob Thornton. Ander also took the opportunity in his address to discuss the IDEA’s theme during his term as chair.
“IDEA’s theme for this coming year is embracing change,” revealed Ander. “We are witnessing an unprecedented pace of change in the energy sector and district energy is fast becoming a mainstream discussion topic with many new voices emerging. Therefore, it is important we embrace this change by staying on message, being the industry voice and strengthening alliances. It’s a very exciting time to be part of IDEA’s leadership.”
Ander has served the industry through various leadership roles including his tenure as chair of the Canadian District Energy Association whose merger he led with the IDEA in 2012. His industry leadership has not gone unrecognized having received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions in promoting and advancing district energy in the municipal sector.
“As a board and a municipality, we’re very proud of Bruce Ander’s appointment to chair of the IDEA,” said Jack Heath, chair of MDE and Deputy Mayor of Markham. “His appointment is another example of Markham’s leadership in the district energy industry and highlights the exemplary team we have put together to manage and grow MDE. We wish Bruce a successful term and know he will lead the IDEA with the same dedication and passion he displays in his leadership of Markham District Energy.”
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About Markham District Energy
MDE, an energy company owned by the City of Markham, is committed to continuing as a leading developer of municipally owned district energy systems providing strategic foundations for Markham’s Greenprint Sustainability Plan and economic development objectives. MDE owns and operates award-winning community energy systems serving buildings in the developing urban centres of Markham Centre and Cornell Centre.
About the International District Energy Association
Founded in 1909, the IDEA is a non-profit trade association based in Westborough, MA. It represents over 2,000 public and privately owned companies in 25 countries involved in operation, design and construction of district heating, district cooling and cogeneration systems. Its purpose is to facilitate the exchange of information among district energy professionals and inform, connect and advance the district energy industry.
Media Contact: Emily Turney 905-752-3368 eturney@mdei.ca