Learn about specific Program offerings, strategies to cut energy costs and resources to help make projects more affordable.
Nine educational sessions will be presented at the 2025 Business Symposium — three timeslots with three sessions running concurrently.
Details about each session and its presenters are available below.
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The rapid growth of data centers, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital infrastructure investments, is creating new opportunities and challenges across the Ameren Illinois service territory. This session will explore emerging trends in data center development, the evolving electric grid requirements to support large business customers and related policy developments. Participants will gain practical insights into how large-scale data center growth may influence electric infrastructure investments, energy costs, reliability planning, economic development opportunities and future energy strategies for business customers in Illinois.
Learning Objectives
The most cost-effective energy savings opportunities occur before a building is constructed. This workshop will explore how building owners, developers, architects, engineers and contractors can incorporate energy-efficient design strategies into new construction and major renovation projects to reduce operating costs, improve occupant comfort and maximize available incentives. Participants will learn how to evaluate efficiency opportunities across lighting, HVAC, refrigeration and other building systems while leveraging Ameren Illinois energy modeling support, design assistance and financial incentives to create high-performance buildings built for energy savings.
Learning Objectives
The Public School Carbon-Free Assessment (PSCFA) Program — offered at no cost by Ameren Illinois — helps school districts stretch budgets, manage aging facilities and reach the state goal of net-zero carbon energy usage by 2030.
This session will show how the PSCFA report can be used to uncover energy-saving opportunities and turn them into fully or partially funded projects through the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program. With over 125 districts already participating, the results speak for themselves: real savings, minimal lift and zero upfront cost.
Learn about:
Manager, DER and New Clean Energy Programs and Pilots – Ameren Illinois
Public Sector Energy Advisor
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
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From bustling hospitals to quiet sanctuaries, every building type holds untapped potential for energy savings. But you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. After a brief overview, attendees will break into small groups and explore common strategies to cut energy costs and obtain financial incentives in various business segments including healthcare, retail, nonprofits and religious facilities, and office spaces. This fast-paced session will involve group participation — so bring your questions and the pain points at your business!
Learn about:
Large Business Energy Advisor
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
Small Business Energy Advisor
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
Small Business Energy Advisor
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
Small Business Energy Advisor
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
Industrial Waste Heat Recovery (IWHR) is a process by which heat generated by industrial processes is captured and reused for other processes within a facility, such as preheating air or feedwater, generating electricity or providing heating for other systems. By capturing heat that would otherwise be wasted, it brings a host of economic and environmental benefits for industrial firms and manufacturing plants, including significantly reduced energy costs. In some cases, improved overall efficiency can have a greater impact on payback than fuel cost.
Learn about:
Industrial Energy Advisor
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
Energy-efficient schools have proven to reduce absenteeism and create a healthier learning environment for students. Making your buildings more efficient can also reduce operating costs — freeing up dollars for other important programs and services. This session will highlight real-world projects and explain how your Ameren Illinois Energy Advisor works directly with your team to build a long-term plan for your energy efficiency journey. Walk away with the information and resources needed to make similar upgrades in your own facility!
Learn about:
Public Sector Energy Advisor
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
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Luminaire-Level Lighting Controls (LLLCs) combine fixture-level control with data-rich integration capabilities, opening the door to smarter, more connected buildings. This session will explore how LLLCs integrate with HVAC, plug load management and other building systems to achieve higher efficiency, increase flexibility and maximize occupant comfort. Attendees will also hear from facility leaders who have implemented LLLC technology, sharing their successes, lessons learned and unexpected benefits.
Learn about:
Director, Program Ally Experience
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
Steam production is a significant energy expense for industrial facilities, but a high percentage of energy can be wasted through inefficiencies. Industrial steam system optimization helps capture and utilize more of this energy through a systematic approach to improving steam generation, distribution and end use, as well as addressing factors like steam trap maintenance and insulation to minimize energy loss. The benefits include reduced fuel costs, enhanced reliability, extended equipment life, improved environmental sustainability and increased overall profitability.
Learn about:
Industrial Energy Advisor
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
Local governments face the challenge of balancing tight budgets with the consistent demand for efficient and sustainable operations. This session will highlight practical, proven strategies municipalities can implement to reduce energy use, cut utility costs and reinvest savings back into community priorities. From optimizing building systems and custom processes to leveraging available funding and incentives, participants will learn how to turn energy efficiency into a powerful tool for long-term progress.
Learn about:
Public Sector Energy Advisor
Leidos, Inc. – An Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Contractor
Are you considering an electric vehicle (EV)? Curious how it rides? Get behind the wheel with the EV Ride & Drive at Symposium! Test-drive the latest models and experience the benefits for yourself.
Visit the sign-up table outside the main entrance along Washington Street (look for a tent) to check in or sign up for a timeslot and witness the future of transportation firsthand! To learn more about EVs, including available incentives, rebates and tax credits, visit: Ameren.com/Illinois/residential/electric-vehicles or visit our exhibitor booth near the Ameren Hub.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to our Business Call Center at 1.866.800.0747 or email IllinoisBusinessEE@ameren.com.
Sidney Daller, MBA, CEM is Strategy and Innovation Lead for the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program. He has been with the Program for over seven years and has a decade of experience in residential and commercial energy efficiency, alternative fuels and renewables from his various government, nonprofit and private-sector roles. In his current position, he provides data visualization, strategy and decision-making support for new and existing energy efficiency programs along with supporting Market Transformation Initiatives (MTI). Sidney has a B.S. and master’s degree in business administration and is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) through the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).
Anna Maria Kowalik is a 30-year commercial real estate veteran and nationally recognized C-PACE pioneer. Formerly, as Senior VP & Director of Business Development for Inland Green Capital LLC and Senior VP at the Illinois Energy Conservation Authority, she served as “the face of C-PACE” in Illinois, promoting and educating on this unique financing tool. As Principal of Curly Consultancy LLC, she continues to share her expertise in the C-PACE arena, leveraging her property and asset management experience to best assist her clients.
Don Vincent is an entrepreneur and business professional who specializes in engineering-based cost segregation studies and energy efficiency tax incentive strategies that increase cash flow, defer personal federal income taxes and optimize financial outcomes. Drawing on his multidisciplinary experience, he brings a practical, results-driven perspective to the intersection of real estate, policy and tax strategy. Known for his personalized approach, he is dedicated to guiding clients — whether seasoned investors, owner-occupied business owners or first-time property owners — toward achieving their financial goals with confidence and clarity.
Thomas Tyler is the Industrial Energy Advisor with the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program. He is responsible for the Process Energy Assessment, Strategic Energy Management and Combined Heat and Power outreach initiatives. Tom’s background includes facilities engineering, energy management and energy efficiency assessments in manufacturing facilities. He has previously worked in the ammunition manufacturing and food processing industries, as well as serving as a U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer. He is a Certified Energy Manager and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Jace Patacsil is the technical sales manager at Skyven Technologies, specializing in industrial sustainability solutions. At Skyven, he partners with manufacturers to decarbonize industrial heat through the Arcturus steam-generating heat pump and innovative energy-as-a-service model. He thrives at the intersection of technical expertise and relationship-driven sales, building trusted partnerships and helping clients achieve ambitious sustainability goals while delivering measurable business impact.
Michael Pittman leads a team focused on researching, designing, implementing and testing new clean energy programs and technologies across Ameren Illinois electric and natural gas systems. He joined Ameren Illinois as an Energy Efficiency Consultant in 2020 and has led efforts for the Ameren Illinois Public School Carbon-Free Assessment Program since passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021. Prior to joining Ameren Illinois, he was in Global Energy Analytics and Strategy for Peabody Energy. He has a Bachelor’s in Energy and Sustainability Policy from Pennsylvania State University and Master’s in Business Administration and Finance from Missouri State University.
Jack C. Johns III is an Air Force veteran and Public Sector Energy Advisor for the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program, offering 34 years of program, operational and strategic management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics and Safety from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and excels in quality assurance, process improvement and strategic leadership. As Public Sector Energy Advisor, he consults with public sector and community leaders to advance energy efficiency initiatives, while demonstrating his dedication to excellence and sustainability.
Chad Whitehead has been an Energy Advisor acting on behalf of the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program for the last 13 years. As an Energy Advisor, he introduces the Program to commercial and industrial customers, identifies incentive opportunities, and facilitates the submission of qualifying energy efficiency projects for incentives. Chad was an IBEW journeyman electrician for 11 years and spent three years teaching the curriculum for the third-year apprentice. He has a master’s degree in quality engineering and management and is currently working on a PhD in industrial and quality engineering. He is a founding member and Vice President of the Association of Energy Engineers Central Illinois Chapter, a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Building Operator Certification (BOC) instructor. He has been married to his wife Jennifer for 28 years and has a daughter, Emma; a son, Ethan; and three grandkids.
Jason Noe has worked in the field as a Small Business Energy Advisor for the past 12 years. He currently conducts trade ally training and supervision and quality assurance inspections as part of the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program. Jason studied business and marketing management at Milwaukee Area Technical College and spent 12 years as a sales representative for a Milwaukee-based printing company, where he was responsible for customer satisfaction as well as delivering printed materials on-time and on-budget. He also owned and managed his own printing firm for 10 years.
Terry Tebbe is a Small Business Energy Advisor for the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program serving Territory #4, which includes Alton, Jacksonville and Quincy. He has been with Ameren energy efficiency programs in Missouri and Illinois for a total of 14 years. His early career included 16 years of specialty retail management as a district manager for an auto parts company. He lives outside of St. Louis with his wife of 27 years.
Gretchen Primeau is a Small Business Energy Advisor for Territory #1, which includes Peoria, Galesburg, Macomb, Canton and Monmouth. She has been with the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program for over seven years and loves working with Program Ally contractors, helping to connect them with customers looking to be more energy efficient. Prior to joining Ameren Illinois, Gretchen was a news anchor and weatherperson for the ABC affiliate in Peoria for 20 years. She graduated from Illinois State University and lives in Dunlap, just outside of Peoria, with her husband and son.
Tom Tucker is a registered Professional Engineer, Qualified Steam Specialist and Certified Fan Systems Expert for the U.S. Department of Energy. He has over 25 years of experience supporting industry through detailed energy efficiency assessments, process engineering, project implementation and construction oversight within the food/dairy, pulp and paper, ethanol, plastics and metals industries. Several of his heat recovery designs are unique to the industry, resulting in numerous patents or provisional patents. In addition, Tucker co-founded an energy technology development company, where he led the design and development of energy analysis software and metering technologies to streamline evaluation of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. He has provided energy efficiency training to various utilities and has been an invited speaker at universities, industry associations and conferences.
Michael Mance is an experienced professional with a background in business operations, construction and facilities management. Since 2020 he has served as Manager of Work Control at Southwestern Illinois College, where he oversees maintenance operations, preventive programs and facility improvements across five campuses. Previously, he worked as an operator at Archer Daniels Midland in St. Louis, managing production processes and equipment maintenance. He holds an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Southwestern Illinois College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
David Husemoller is Executive Director for IGEN, the Illinois Green Economy Network. IGEN fosters collaboration among all Illinois community colleges and their partners to drive the growth of the clean energy economy and green workforce. David served as the Sustainability Manager for the College of Lake County (CLC) for over nine years. During that time CLC gained several awards and certifications for integrating sustainability into campus operations and curricula and for guiding community outreach.
Shane Perry has worked in the supply chain and facility maintenance industry for over 15 years. He started as Deputy Business Program Manager for the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program in 2021 and is now the newly-appointed Director of Program Ally Experience. As part of working in supply chain, Shane onboarded and launched dozens of midstream programs as a first in the national distributor market and later managed thousands of national lighting retrofit projects for several Fortune 500 retailers. Previously, he was a vice president who helped cofound a new distributor that does turnkey national commercial projects and facility maintenance services, developing a national network of 600+ independent contractors in the electrical, plumbing and HVAC trades. Shane has earned multiple accolades and awards, including the ComEd Service Provider Rookie of the Year, ComEd SBO Rookie of the Year, Duke Energy Top Performing $mart Saver Ally, PG&E Top MidStreaming Distributor and Energizing Indiana MidStreaming Partner of the Year.
Dan has over 30 years of sales, sales management and training experience in the lighting industry. As a senior lighting specialist and certified trainer, he provides training for lighting and control technology applications and develops relationships within the industry by increasing awareness of new technologies and controls. He has earned a Lighting Certified Professional designation from the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP).
Angela brings over two decades of expertise in the lighting and energy sectors with a diverse background as a utility specialist, manufacturer’s representative and consultant. Since joining Evergreen in 2009, Angela has excelled in market and trend analysis, utility program development, client engagement strategies and training initiatives. She has earned a Lighting Certified Professional designation from the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP).
Ameya Desai is a partner at Custom Steam Solutions, Inc., leveraging over 18 years of experience as a mechanical engineer in the steam industry. After starting his career designing valves and working in applications, he earned his MBA in Canada before returning to the steam manufacturing industry. His expertise in heat transfer, heat recovery and energy conservation led him to become a partner in 2015, where he has helped grow Custom Steam Solutions into a global company.
Saad Omer is a licensed Professional Engineer who manages operations at Custom Steam Solutions, including the engineering division.
Brad Bennett is a Professional Engineer with over 28 years of experience in civil and environmental engineering. He has served as Director of Engineering at the Urbana and Champaign Sanitary District since 2019, managing sewer system operations, capital projects, planning and permitting. Previously, he spent 15 years as Assistant City Engineer for the City of Urbana, overseeing storm and sanitary infrastructure, development review and bridge inspections. He also worked seven years in consulting, focusing on wastewater treatment and collection system design. Brad holds degrees in Civil Engineering from Marquette University (B.S.) and Iowa State University (M.S.). He is a Certified Illinois Collection System Operator and a member of WEF, Central States WEA and IAWA. His honors include the 2025 Illinois Collection System Award and memberships in Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon.
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*Instant coupon is also available for the following special order models: 6768549, 6768547, 5207972, 5207970, 4842215, 1054200, 900351, 900329, 900027, 899935, 899931, 899485.
*Instant coupon also available for the following special order models: 5207972, 5207970, 4842215, 1054200, 900351, 900329, 900027, 899935, 899931, 899485.
