Green Tie Gala Toasts New England’s Cleantech Leaders

Following a year of rapid growth for the clean technology sector in New England, an estimated 400 executives, investors and advocates gathered in Boston Thursday night to celebrate the sector’s achievements at the 3rd Annual Green Tie Gala.

The gala took place at the Park Plaza Hotel and was held by the New England Clean Energy Council. Peter Rothstein, president of the council, said the event celebrated a “community that is dedicated to making New England a global leader in the nascent clean energy economy,” while shining a light on the companies and individuals “who made exceptional progress in the past year.”

The gala honored several companies and individuals with awards, including Jim Gordon, founder of Energy Management Inc. and president of Cape Wind Associates. The Boston-based firm is seeking to build the nation’s first major offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound, and Gordon was inducted into the council’s Clean Energy Hall of Fame for his “tireless efforts in the energy project field, and for his nine-year (Cape Wind) effort which reached a critical milestone this year with approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior,” the council said.

Other award winners were:

* Breakout Company of the Year: Satcon Technology Corp. (Nasdaq: SATC), Boston. The renewable energy inverter maker “dramatically” increased revenue in 2010 and reported year-to-date bookings representing more than 800 megawatts of orders, the council said.

* Emerging Company of the Year: Harvest Power Inc., Waltham. The company, which develops energy and compost facilities for “next-generation” organics recycling, has seen robust growth in both revenue and headcount, and has been recognized as “one of the most promising private clean technology companies with the most disruptive technology,” according to the council.

* Employer of the Year: Ameresco Inc. (NYSE: AMRC), Framingham. The energy efficiency and renewable energy company significantly increased its North American headcount in 2010, the council said.

* Corporate Citizen of the Year: Akamai Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: AKAM), Cambridge. The Internet traffic specialist has shown a “commitment to infusing measurable environmental sustainability practices throughout its business operations,” including generating employee awareness and programs around energy efficiency, waste management, sustainable purchasing and telecommuting, the council said.

* Clean Energy Hall of Fame Inductee: Jim Gordon, founder of Energy Management Inc. and president of Cape Wind Associates

* Clean Energy Leadership Award: Nick d’Arbeloff, vice president of EnerNOC Inc. (Nasdaq: ENOC), and founder and former president of the New England Clean Energy Council. He was given the award for his “extensive work inspiring, catalyzing and growing the New England clean energy sector,” the council said.

Full Story at masshightech.com