Energy Managers Since 1977

Over 28,000 professionals in 105 countries trust the Association of Energy Engineers to promote the interests of those engaged in the energy industry and to foster action for sustainable development.

Who We Are

Discover the people behind the organization.

What We Do

Learn what we do for our members and industry.

AEE Members & Certified Professionals

Operating in the dynamic fields of energy engineering, energy management and efficiency, renewable and alternative energy, power generation, energy services, sustainability, and all related areas.

Our History

AEE was founded.

1977

The National Energy Policy & Conservation Act (1978) defines what an "energy manager" should be. AEE, a nonprofit professional society, is founded by Albert Thumann. In the same year, the US Department of Energy (DOE) and governments grapple with the 1970's Oil Crisis. Presiding President Al Thumann. 

AEE was founded.

AEE Hosts its first event.

1978

AEE hosts its first World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC) - an energy conference and expo at the Royal Coach Inn, Atlanta, Georgia. Presiding President Al Thumann. AEE creates its awards programs and presents its first three awards.

  • Energy Engineer - International recipient Harvey Morris.
  • Corporate Energy Management - International recipient the Marriott Corporation.
  • Energy Professional Development - International recipient Karel Klima. 
AEE Hosts its first event.

AEE creates its first Chapters

1979

AEE creates its first Chapters in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Kansas City, Metro Detroit/South Michigan, New England, New Jersey, New York, Washington DC/National Capital Chapter, San Francisco & Southern California. Presiding President Al Thumann. 

AEE creates its first Chapters

1980

Presiding President Gerard Lameiro. 

AEE launches the Certified Energy Manager® (CEM®) Certification, the AEE Foundation, and establishes its first international chapters.

1981

AEE creates the Certified Energy Manager® (CEM®) Certification with the first exam held in Atlanta on Monday, October 12. AEE gains its first Corporate Member, Salas O'Brien.  AEE establishes the AEE Foundation to support young professionals gain a foothold in the industry. The AEE Journal for Strategic Planning for Energy and The Environment is published. AEE establishes its first international Chapters in Hong Kong, Brazil, and Canada. Presiding President Harvey Morris.

AEE launches the Certified Energy Manager® (CEM®) Certification, the AEE Foundation, and establishes its first international chapters.

AEE celebrates its 5th anniversary.

1982

Presiding President Ray Kendall. 

AEE celebrates its 5th anniversary.

1983 - 1984

1983 Presiding President Kermit Harmon.  

1984 Presiding President Robert Lahey. 

1985

The AEE Journal for Distributed Generation and Alternative Energy is published. Presiding President Jon Haviland. 

AEE celebrates its 10th anniversary in 1987.

1986 - 1989

1986 Presiding President Jerry Taylor.  

1987 Presiding President Victor Ottaviano.  

1988 Presiding President Konstantin Lobodovsky.  

1989 Presiding President Gerald Culbert.

AEE celebrates its 10th anniversary in 1987.

1990

AEE creates the Energy Managers Hall of Fame with first inductee Richard Aspenson. Presiding President Carl Salas.

AEE Works to promote Energy Managers in US law at the federal level.

1991

AEE organizes its first Trade Mission to Eastern Europe. AEE hosts its first Globalcon Expo in Anaheim, California (then known as Worldcon). Senator Glenn invites AEE to help craft the federal energy management section of EPAct. After months of pro bono effort by the AEE National Capital Chapter, AEE's language requiring "trained" energy managers in all federal facilities nationwide was entirely accepted by both houses of Congress and included in the law. Presiding President David Seader. 

AEE Works to promote Energy Managers in US law at the federal level.

1992

EPAct 1992 set the stage for subsequent energy policy laws. Senator John Glenn receives AEE's prestigious Executive Award.  Presiding President Walter Johnston.

AEE first female president.

1993

Presding President MaryAnne Lauderdale. 

AEE first female president.

The 5-day CEM training program is born.

1994

Sixty five energy professionals attended the first CEM "Comprehensive Five-day Energy Management Training Seminar" in Orlando, Florida. Presiding President George Kritzler.  

The 5-day CEM training program is born.

First US government focused CEM Program.

1995

The US State Department Foreign Service group hosts the first Government CEM program in Washington, DC. Trade Mission to South America. AEE hosts its First Energy Management Congress Event on the West Coast USA. Presiding President Harry Taplin. 

First US government focused CEM Program.

AEE Works with USAID to capacity build abroad.

1996

AEE begins capacity building abroad in conjunction with USAID through a CEM Course Ukraine. Presiding President Dr. William Mashburn. 

AEE Works with USAID to capacity build abroad.

AEE celebrates its 20th anniversary.

1997

The first Lighting Efficiency Professionals (CLEP™) are certified. Presiding President Dr. Wayne Turner.  

AEE celebrates its 20th anniversary.

AEE Launches the Certified Energy Procurement (CEP®) certification.

1998

Energy Procurement professionals can undertake the CEP® certification for the first time. AEE continues capacity-building abroad through USAID Environmental Audit Workshop in Romania. Presiding President Kenneth Kogut. 

AEE Launches the Certified Energy Procurement (CEP®) certification.

1999

Presiding President Martin Mozzo.  

2000

The Certified GeoExchange Designer (CGD) certification program, sponsored by the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium® (GHPC), is released. Presiding President Richard Costello.  

AEE establishes the Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP®) certification.

2001

The Association of Energy Engineers, in cooperation with the Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO), establishes the Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP®) program as a global standard to meet the growing needs of the energy industry. Trade Mission to South Africa. GLOBALCON moves permanently to US East Coast Regional locations starting in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Presiding President George Owens.

AEE establishes the Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP®) certification.

2002

AEE continues capacity-building abroad through USAID CEM® Training in Turkey held in Arabic. Presiding President Steven Parker. 

AEE releases two new certification programs.

2003

To raise the professional standards of those engaged in distributed generation and building commissioning, AEE releases the DGCP™, CBCP® certification programs. Presiding President Fredric Goldner.  

AEE releases two new certification programs.

2004

Trade Mission to South America. Presiding President Lawrence Good. 

CWEEL is formed.

2005

The Council on Women in Energy & the Environment holds its first meeting in Austin, Texas. Presding President Stephen A. Roosa.  

CWEEL is formed.

The Business Energy Professional (BEP®) certification program is released.

2006

The Business Energy Professional (BEP®) certification program is released to recognize those managing businesses, people and projects in the energy industry. Trade Mission to China and South East Asia. AEE hosts its first Energy Management Congress (EMC) Event in Seattle, Washington. Senator Byron Dorgan received AEE's prestigious Executive Award. Presiding President Tim Janos. 

The Business Energy Professional (BEP®) certification program is released.

AEE celbrates its 20th year and the AEE Foundation scholarships awarded surpass $500,000.

2007

AEE releases its Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP®) certification as sustainability becomes a mainstream concern. It recognizes individuals working to address environmental issues, alternative energy and carbon reduction, sustainable building development, and the impact of sustainable development policies. Due to its members' generous donations over the years, AEE Foundation awarded over $500,000 in scholarships. Presiding President Laurie Wiegand-Jackson. 

AEE celbrates its 20th year and the AEE Foundation scholarships awarded surpass $500,000.

2008

AEE's launches it widely respected Carbon Accounting Professional (CAP™) certification (formally CRM) and its associated training program. CAP provides recognition for professionals who have distinguished themselves as leaders in the growing field of carbon reduction. Trade Mission to India & Nepal. Mrs. Fotouh Al-Raqom is an AEE Foundation scholarship recipient; she later became AEE's First international female President. Senator Mark Pryor receives AEE's prestigious Executive Award. Presiding President Louis Grobler. 

AEE Launches the Certified Energy Auditor (CEA®) certification.

2009

AEE leads the industry by defining and releasing the Certified Energy Auditor (CEA®) program, which focuses on professionals undertaking efficiency assessments of large buildings and industrial facilities. Presiding President Rusty Hodapp.  

AEE Launches the Certified Energy Auditor (CEA®) certification.

AEE Releases the Renewable Energy Professional (REP™) certification

2010

AEE releases the Renewable Energy Professional (REP™) certification to recognize professionals involved in the specification and application of renewable energy technologies and project development. Trade Mission to Egypt, Kuwait, Dubai, and Jordan. Presiding President Philip Le Grand.

AEE Releases the Renewable Energy Professional (REP™) certification

2011

The World Student Scholarship (formerly WEEC Scholarship) was introduced by presiding AEE president Dr. Eric Woodroof. Emphasis was placed on the development of student chapters and increased participation of AEE’s younger members. 

AEE establishes its Fellows grade of membership.

2012

AEE establishes its Fellows grade of membership. General Colin L. Powell, former United States Secretary of State, is the keynote presenter at the 35th WEEC. President Carter is presented AEE's Lifetime Achievement Award by AEE Founder Al Thumann. Presiding President Gary Hogsett.

AEE establishes its Fellows grade of membership.

The CEM became the first energy management personal certification program awarded ANSI accreditation.

2013

The CEM becomes the first energy management personal certification program awarded an ANSI accreditation.  Trade Mission to Australia and New Zealand. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California's 38th Governor, Cultural Icon & Environmental Crusader, is the keynote presenter at the 36th WEEC. AEE continues capacity-building abroad through USAID Kazakhstan Climate Change Program. Presiding President Bill Younger.

The CEM became the first energy management personal certification program awarded ANSI accreditation.

AEE launches three new certifications to support workforce development.

2014

Energy efficiency and energy management grow to unprecedented levels in the workforce. Once considered niche, energy management principles now become mainstream. AEE supports this industry growth with certification programs in Demand-side Management (CDSM™) and Performance Contracting & Funding (PCF™) while encouraging entry into the field through the Energy Efficiency Practitioner (EEP™) program. CWEEL forms its first international chapter in Jordan. Trade Mission to Eastern Europe. President Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, is the keynote presenter at the 37th WEEC. AEE moves to its new international headquarters. Many of the building's systems are automated and energy-efficient. Presiding President Randolph Haines. 

AEE launches three new certifications to support workforce development.

AEE launches the Certified Water Efficiency Professional (CWEP™) certification.

2015

AEE released the Certified Water Efficiency Professional (CWEP™) certification program. Condoleezza Rice, the 66th US Secretary of State, is the keynote presenter at the 38th WEEC to international delegates from more than 60 countries. Presiding President Scott Dunning.  

AEE launches the Certified Water Efficiency Professional (CWEP™) certification.

AEE celebrates its 40th anniversary.

2017

Presding AEE president Ian Boylan.

AEE celebrates its 40th anniversary.

AEE celebrates hosting its 40th WEEC.

2018

President George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States & Founder of the George W. Bush Presidential Center is the keynote presenter at the 40th WEEC. Presiding President Clint Christenson. 

AEE celebrates hosting its 40th WEEC.

AEE Foundation awards surpass $1,000,000 to date.

2019

After 40 years of successful energy conferences and expos, AEE rebrands and relaunches its annual events to AEE World, East, and West. Due to its members' generous donations over the years, AEE Foundation awarded over $1,000,000 in scholarships to date. In this year, 45% of awards went to female applicants - the most significant participation to date by young female engineers. Presiding President Lori Moen. 

AEE Foundation awards surpass $1,000,000 to date.

2020

Peggy Liu, Chairperson Joint US-China, Collaboration on Clean Energy, is the keynote presenter at AEE World 2020. AEE rebrands its Journals to the International Journal of Energy Management, the International Journal of Strategic Energy & Environmental Planning, and the Alternative Energy & Distributed Generation Journal. Presiding President Samer Zawaydeh. 

2021

AEE acquires the SEP 50001 credential and associated certifications that support the US Department of Energy's Superior Energy Performance 50001™ programs. Presiding President Buster Barksdale.  

AEE celebrates its 45th anniversary.

2022

The CEM® program, presented in over 60 countries and offered in 10 languages, continues to be a global gold standard for energy professionals. There are now 70 Inductees into the AEE Energy Managers Hall of Fame and over 100 AEE Fellow members. AEE has hosted over 120 Events with over 1,000,000 participants and awarded over 750 Scholarships to young professionals. AEE now has more than 25,000 active certified professionals that hold over 32,000 certifications between them. AEE has recognized over 1,900 individuals, companies, or organizations through its awards program. President Dr. Fotouh Al-Ragom.

AEE celebrates its 45th anniversary.