Pittsfield, Maine – February 5, 2020 – 
The Environmental Business Journal® (EBJ) has honored Kleinschmidt Associates the Social Contribution Award for philanthropic work performed in 2019.
Kleinschmidt has a Philanthropy Committee comprised of a group of employees who interface with non-profits, develop partnership opportunities, and decide how to distribute funds to numerous organizations. Another avenue of giving is through the company’s “Day of Service” during which employees can take paid time off from work to perform charitable efforts in their communities.
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and outreach is a particular passion. By sponsoring the Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge at The University of Maine, middle and high school students design and build their own wind turbine blades and floating offshore wind platforms. For many rural students, this is their first opportunity to visit a university campus. Kleinschmidt’s scientists and engineers also routinely present at schools and mentor students of all ages.
“I had the special experience last year to interview a student who nurtured her interest in engineering through participation in the Windstorm Challenge,” says Jon Christensen, CEO of Kleinschmidt. “She was on the first all-female winning team and was using the scholarship she won to support her studies at The University of Maine, where she is a junior. It’s amazing to know we helped that student to find her passion and helped guide her and others to pursue STEM careers.”
“This truly hands-on STEM experience is the only one of its kind in the country and is developing Maine’s next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and engineers to lead Maine and the U.S. in harnessing renewable energy opportunities in the Gulf of Maine and beyond,” says Dr. Habib Dagher, Executive Director of the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center. “The creativity and commitment exhibited by these students is extraordinary and gives me great confidence in the future of renewable energy in our state.”
The 2019 EBJ awards will be presented at a special ceremony at the Environmental Industry Summit XVIII in San Diego, California, on March 19, 2020. The Environmental Industry Summit is an annual three-day executive retreat hosted by EBI, Inc.
About Kleinschmidt
Kleinschmidt Associates performs engineering, regulatory and environmental consulting for North American energy companies and governmental agencies who strive to protect and enhance the natural environment without compromising performance. We work at the intersection of regulatory requirements, environmental science, and engineering solutions to achieve our client’s objectives.
About the EBJ Business Achievement Awards
In October-December 2019, Environmental Business Journal solicited nominations for the EBJ Business Achievement Awards. Nominations were accepted in 200-word essays in specific categories. Final awards were determined by a committee of EBJ editorial advisory board members. (Disclaimer: company audits were not conducted to verify information or claims submitted with nominations)
About EBI
Founded in 1988, Environmental Business International Inc. (San Diego, California) is a research, publishing and consulting company that specializes in defining emerging markets and generating strategic market intelligence for companies, investors and policymakers. EBI publishes Environmental Business Journal® and Climate Change Business Journal®. EBI also performs contract research for the government and private sector and founded the Environmental Industry Summit Series – four annual conferences for executives in the environmental industry.