Finalists in 10 categories including innovation, leadership, and supply chain, represent the global supply chain and a shared commitment to furthering offshore renewable energy
For Immediate Release: February 26, 2025
Media Contact: Luke Jeanfreau | [email protected] | 504-302-8079
BALTIMORE — Oceantic Network, the leading nonprofit working to advance the offshore renewable energy industry and its supply chain, today announced finalists for the 2025 Ventus Awards in ten categories including Innovation of the Year, Supply Chain Advancement, and Next Wave Leadership. The Ventus Award finalists represent the breadth of the industry and its supply chain from ports and shipbuilders, manufacturers, and project developers to government initiatives and workforce development.
Now in its fourth year, the Ventus Awards are the industry’s highest level of professional recognition, celebrating the innovative people, companies, organizations, and work worldwide moving the global offshore renewable energy industry forward. Submissions were reviewed by a Selection Committee of individuals representing the breadth of the offshore energy industry, including Aaron Smith, CEO of Principle Power; Alessandra Tebaldi, executive vice president & general counsel at McAllister Towing; Andrew Lee, editor-in-chief of Recharge News; Lauren Burm, senior director of state and local government relations at Vestas North America; and others.
“Offshore energy continues to move forward. Projects are being built, vessels are being constructed and retrofitted, and companies continue to advance new solutions to technical challenges across the supply chain,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of Oceantic Network. “All this progress is driven by the passion and talent of both people and organizations. The Ventus Awards are our chance to honor them and the work they are doing to create quality jobs, drive economic development, and advance energy opportunities.”
Awards are presented in ten categories (below) designed to highlight the contributions and innovations of global professionals advancing the global offshore renewable energy industry. All finalists will be recognized and winners in each category will be announced at the Ventus Gala taking place April 29 in conjunction with Oceantic’s International Partnering Forum (IPF) in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The 2025 Ventus Award Finalists are:
Advancement in Project Siting and Development
Given to an individual, team, or company that has developed a technology, process, or demonstrated immense effort and collaboration to advance or improve offshore wind project development risk, cycle, or timeline.
- Heerema Engineering Solutions – Delft, Netherlands
- National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium (NOWRDC), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Joint Industry Project (JIP) Participants – Nationwide
- OSI Renewables – The Heartlands, U.K.
- TGS – Houston
Health, Safety, and Environment Program of the Year
Recognizes an organization’s successful implementation of policies and/or training programs.
- Bardex Corporation – Goleta, California
- Black & Veatch Construction (BVCI)– Overland Park, Kansas
- HeliService USA – North Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Sea Services North America – New London, Connecticut
Innovation of the Year
Singular innovation that will contribute to the acceleration of offshore wind.
- Aikido Technologies – San Francisco, California
- Barge Master – Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Jaegar Maritime Solutions GmbH – Hanover, Germany
- Ocergy – Oakland, California
- Saildrone & RPS Tetra Tech – Alameda, California; Abingdon, England
Next Wave Leadership
Recognizes a professional who is 35 years old or younger and has been in the industry less than ten years.
- Cameron Poole, GNO Inc.
- Christen Wittman, Attentive Energy
- Kyle Lang, PEAK Wind Renewables Services
- Lexi Reynolds, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind
- Sarah McElman, Avangrid Renewables
Offshore Wind Leadership
Given to a company or public entity that exhibits outstanding leadership, benefiting industry growth, development, and market maturation.
- DEME Offshore US and Dominion Energy – Virginia
- Fugro – Houston
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) – Albany, New York
- Riggs Distler – Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Offshore Wind Trailblazer
The Offshore Wind Trailblazer award is given to an individual that exhibits outstanding leadership proven through their ability to instigate/bring about industry growth, development, and market maturation.
- Andy Benedetto, United Brotherhood of Carpenters – North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters – Millwrights Local 1121
- Deanne Hargrave, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind
- Michael Tosi, HeliService USA
- Rick Robins, RWE
- Tershara Matthews, WSP
Supply Chain Advancement – Private Sector
Recognizes a company that is making a lasting contribution to the advancement of the offshore wind energy supply chain.
- Barge Master – Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Crowley – Jacksonville, Florida
- LS GreenLink USA – Chesapeake, Virginia
- Ørsted and Edison Chouest Offshore – Boston and Providence, Rhode Island; Houma, Louisiana
- Sea Services North America – New London, Connecticut
Supply Chain Advancement – Public Sector
Recognizes a company that is making a lasting contribution to the advancement of the offshore wind energy supply chain.
- Baltimore County Government – Baltimore
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) – Albany, New York
- Port of Albany – Albany, New York
- Virginia Economic Development Partnership – Richmond, Virginia
Talent Management Leadership
Recognizes individuals who nurture and develop a new generation of leaders.
- Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind – Atlantic City, New Jersey
- DEME Offshore US and Local 56 Pile Drivers – Boston
- New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) – Trenton, New Jersey
- Dr. Subrina D. Oliver, O-High Foundation – Plainview, New York
Viterna Award for Engineering Excellence
Recognizes excellence in engineering that advances the offshore wind energy industry.
- Aikido Technologies – San Francisco, California
- Linxon – Raleigh, North Carolina
- Vaisala – Louisville, Colorado
- Wave Power Engineering – Queensland, Australia
The Ventus Gala is the offshore renewable energy industry’s premier celebration, bringing together hundreds of professionals from across the global supply chain to toast the industry’s collective accomplishments, as well as honor the leaders and innovators that inspire the industry with ingenuity and confidence. To purchase tickets to the 2025 Ventus Gala, visit ventusgala.com.
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As a non-profit organization, Oceantic Network strives to help businesses find success in offshore wind and other ocean renewable industries. We’re mobilizing governments, corporations, and organized labor to take advantage of the vast offshore wind and renewable energy resources that lie in the world’s oceans. The collective, coordinated efforts of our 400+ members are equipping American communities with the tools they need to accelerate the transition to clean energy and create economic opportunities. For more information about Oceantic membership, products and services, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.
