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BEVERLY, MA — October 9, 2026 — Women in Energy, a national association dedicated to elevating the perception and impact of women in the energy sector, proudly announces the winners of its 2026 Annual Awards. The prestigious honors were presented during the organization's Annual Conference, held from October 6–8 at the Wylie Center & Tupper Manor at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. This year’s accolades celebrate extraordinary professionals who embody the community's dedication to excellence, mentorship, and future leadership.

2026 Major Award Recipients

Woman of the Year Award

• Allison Heaney (Skaggs-Walsh): This peer-nominated accolade is the association's highest honor, recognizing an active member celebrated for outstanding professional achievements, deep community involvement, and the highest level of respect from industry peers. As President of Skaggs-Walsh, Allison is deeply involved in the heating industry, continually pursuing innovative business opportunities to grow and evolve her family-owned business. Despite her demanding executive leadership role, she consistently prioritizes ongoing personal learning and dedicates significant time to supporting and advancing the broader industry.

EmpowerHER Award

• Amber Luzi (Tevis Energy): Aligned with the association's core mission of connecting and empowering women, this award recognizes the unsung heroines of the workplace. Over her 18 years with Tevis, Amber has immersed herself in many aspects of the business to better serve the customer. She continuously takes the lead in implementing improvements, volunteers for industry events, and dedicates countless hours—including evenings and weekends—to monitoring and improving after-hours emergency services. Over the last two years, she has focused heavily on management training and personal development to lead the Tevis Customer Care team toward excellence and the fulfillment of the company's pillars of Quality, Integrity, and Response.

• Kelly Brown (Lehigh Fuels): A deeply dedicated and caring professional who began her career in the fuel oil business with her family at FM Brown in Reading, Pennsylvania.Following the sale of the family business, she joined Lehigh Fuels, where her profound love for her daily work shines through to coworkers, colleagues, and industry friends. Known for arriving in the early morning hours to set her team up for success, Kelly also frequently steps up to support the PPA and local Pennsylvania associations as a valued professional leader, friend, and mentor.

• Tara Clerkin (Cetane Associates): The definitive backbone of her company, Tara has spent nearly eight years driving its growth and operational stability. Beginning her journey as an Administrative Assistant, she earned her way to Director of Marketing, where her skills have significantly helped the firm grow and expand. Beyond her professional impact, Tara is celebrated by her teammates as an exceptionally kind, considerate, and patient coworker who offers unwavering support and serves as an exemplary workplace leader, reliable anchor, and friend.

Judy Garber Rising Star Award

• Diane Cichocki (Ross Enterprises): Named in honor of industry veteran and Women in Energy co-founder Judy Garber, this award recognizes an up-and-coming, peer-nominated member with less than seven years in the energy industry who shows immense promise as a future industry and community leader. An extremely hardworking professional, Diane stands out for her innovative mindset and ability to bring creative, fresh ideas that spark fundamental change. As a talented organizer and trainer, she approaches leadership with deep compassion for her employees while maintaining exceptionally high standards for excellence.

"We are incredibly proud to celebrate our 2026 award winners at our Annual Conference this year," said Beth Tocco, President of Women in Energy. "Each of these winners embody our core values that support Women in Energy's mission to elevate the perception and impact of women in the energy industry. We are so thankful to have amazing women such as Allison, Amber, Kelly, Tara, and Diane leading the way."

Founded by established members of the oil and energy industries, Women in Energy continues to provide the growth-oriented resources and high-impact professional community necessary to foster a diverse and robust workforce prepared to lead the future of global energy.

For more information about the award criteria, individual bios, or upcoming association events, please visit wewomeninenergy.com or contact the media representative listed below.

Organized in 1933, the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey represents heating fuel and motor fuels distributors, HVAC contractors and industry suppliers conducting business in the state.

FMA’s advocacy is the foremost benefit the association provides. Whether it is in Trenton or in Washington, D.C., through the efforts of our national association, the Energy Marketers of America (EMA), FMA is at the center of all legislative and regulatory issues that impact the distributed heating and motor fuels industries and HVACR contractors. From environmental regulations to taxation to motor fuel marketing to building codes and trucking, FMA is there. Our grassroots efficacy helps ensure that policymakers hear from the industry.

FMA also provides technical assistance by providing company-specific assistance with licensing, permitting and any other red-tape challenges members face.

The association is a co-sponsor of the Eastern Energy Expo – an annual trade show and convention featuring a two-day trade show and a range of educational programs for owners, managers, service managers and technicians.

Learn more about the FMA by visiting https://www.fmanj.org/

Lynne Biddle recently received the Service Manager of the Year award from the Oil and Energy Service Professionals, becoming the first woman to earn this honor.

Lynne started her career in the energy industry working in supply houses. But thanks to connections, she reconnected with the GM of Burke Energy. They had just lost their service manager and after catching up, he offered Lynne an opportunity to come and work him. His goal was to turn around the service department and knowing Lynne’s skills, he felt confident she was the right person. Within 2 years they were making a profit. This was all due to Lynne’s leadership. She started teaching technicians how to sell and upgrade customers and she also made the department much more efficient. Throughout her career she has joined numerous organizations that help our industry such as Women in Energy, OESP, and has always been an outspoken leader for the service industry. She, along with her technicians, has always kept abreast of the latest training. Recently she built a $150,000 training facility at the company’s Brewster location which is used by numerous Star Group divisions to train and educate techs on the latest equipment and technology. Lynne also leads the charge within their organization to give back to the community - programs like Feeding America, United Way, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity. She advocates for loyal customers that are in crisis and cannot afford needed work to make sure that they have safe equipment. at no charge. Lynne has used her career and knowledge to do nothing but foster and grow technicians and other employees into this industry and genuinely loves this industry.

Congratulations Lynne!

Thank you to Gold Member, Beckett. They have been a strong supporter of Women in Energy since 2022. A little about Beckett . .

"R.W. Beckett Corporation is a recognized leader in combustion technology, delivering engineered solutions that power residential, commercial, and industrial heating systems across North America and global markets. For more than 85 years, Beckett has set the standard for performance, reliability, and serviceability—supporting distributors, OEM partners, and contractors with products designed to meet the evolving demands of energy efficiency, fuel flexibility, and system integration. Central to this leadership is a sustained investment in technical training and real-world application expertise, ensuring that the industry is equipped to install, service, and optimize increasingly advanced heating systems.

As a Gold Corporate Member of Women in Energy, Beckett is committed to strengthening the industry’s workforce by supporting initiatives that expand access, development, and long-term career growth across the sector. We recognize the important role women play in shaping the future of the energy industry and the opportunity to further increase representation across technical, operational, and leadership roles. Through leadership in training, education, and cross-industry collaboration, Beckett is actively contributing to a more capable and future-ready workforce—one that reflects the breadth of talent required to advance the energy systems of tomorrow."

 

For the 2026 Women in Energy Conference, Utilities Employees Credit Union (UECU) will sponsor a dynamic keynote delivered by Lisa Ryan. In the session, she’ll introduce the Six Gears of Grategy, equipping attendees with practical strategies to improve communication, increase recognition, and strengthen performance. Lisa’s keynote was designed specifically for Women in Energy and offers straightforward approaches to recruiting, developing, and retaining women in the industry. 

Women in Energy President Beth Tocco shared, “We are very excited to have Lisa joining us as the keynote speaker and grateful to UECU for being the program sponsor. UECU has been a strong supporter of Women in Energy for many years, both as a sponsor and a major corporate member. We appreciate their continued support of our mission to connect and empower women working in the energy industry.”

Courtney Perez, UECU Business Relationship Manager, shared, “We are honored to sponsor the keynote and be a part of an amazing conference inspiring women to excel in the energy industry. We believe in empowering employees both personally and professionally. As an advocate for financial wellness, UECU offers free credit union membership as a valuable benefit to all Women in Energy members.”

With deep roots in the energy sector, UECU has been dedicated to enhancing the financial well-being of utility and energy employees for 92 years. UECU’s offerings include trade school loans for aspiring students and upgraded technology that allows for convenient, on-the-go access to services. All solutions are designed with transparency and authenticity, ensuring that every member has the tools to manage their finances, secure their future, and feel genuinely supported throughout their careers and beyond.

For more information about UECU, contact your dedicated financial wellness partner, Paula Simmons, at 800.288.6423, ext. 4013, or psimmons@uecu.org.

Registration is open for Women in Energy’s Annual Conference to be held October 6-8, 2026, at the Wylie Center & Tupper Manor at Endicott College, Beverly (Salem), Massachusetts. The Conference has a robust schedule of educational and personal development programming. This year will also include certificates for many of the sessions. To view the full conference schedule or to register, click on the button below.

We want to thank UECU for their continual support!

Organized in 1933, the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey represents oil heat retailers, motor fuels distributors, HVAC contractors and industry suppliers conducting business in the state. Each segment is best served when they collectively join forces to advocate for the betterment of the industry.

FMA’s advocacy is the foremost benefit the association provides. Whether it is in Trenton or in Washington, D.C., through the efforts of our national association, the Energy Marketers of America (EMA), FMA is at the center of all legislative and regulatory issues that impact the industry. From environmental regulations to taxation to motor fuel marketing to building codes and trucking, FMA is there. Our grassroots efficacy helps ensure that policymakers hear from the industry.

FMA also provides technical assistance by providing company-specific assistance with licensing, permitting and any other red-tape challenges members face.

Founded in 1990, LS Power is a family- and employee-owned premier development, investment, and operating company focused on the North American power and energy infrastructure sector, with leading platforms across generation, transmission, and energy expansion solutions. Since inception, the company has developed or acquired 50,000 MW of power generation, including utility-scale solar, wind, hydro, battery energy storage, and natural gas-fired facilities.

LS Power’s expertise spans the full lifecycle of energy infrastructure development and operations, with a deep understanding of evolving power markets and complex system needs. Its mission is to solve the industry’s most challenging energy problems while building a more reliable, affordable, and resilient energy ecosystem.

With a team of dedicated professionals who combine technical excellence with market insight, LS Power recognizes that diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership are essential to innovation and long-term success. The company is proud to support Women in Energy and the critical work of advancing opportunities for women across the energy sector.

Women in Energy thanks LS Power for its commitment and recognizes all of our members for their continued support.

 

We’re thrilled to collaborate with Mediaplanet on their newly released Women in Skilled Trades. Women currently make up fewer than 5% of workers in skilled-trade occupations, and their representation in entry-level roles is even lower. With many experienced tradespeople nearing retirement and millions of jobs opening, the industry is facing a major labor gap. Our campaign highlights the unique challenges women encounter while also shining a light on the growing opportunity for long-term, fulfilling careers in skilled trades. Explore how we’re empowering this vital community by picking up today’s edition of USA Today or reading the campaign online here:

 https://www.futureofbusinessandtech.com/campaign/women-in-skilled-trades/

Bringing comfort, reliability and community care to homes and businesses in states throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest.

At Star Group, energy isn’t just about fuel, it’s about people. As a leading provider of heating oil, propane, and HVAC services, Star Group is committed to delivering comfort, safety and savings to the communities it serves. With a suite of regional HVAC and home comfort service brands that serve more than 500,000 residential and commercial customers, along with a strong focus on customer care and operational excellence, they’ve built a reputation as a trusted partner for HVAC and home energy solutions.

Vision

Star Group strives to be the premier provider of energy services throughout the footprint that they serve, delivering outstanding quality, value and care to every customer, every time.

Mission

Star Group is committed to providing exceptional service and a seamless customer experience at every point of contact. Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, they continue to build financial strength and stability while generating positive returns for their stakeholders. As a proud community partner and employer of choice, Star Group invests in the neighborhoods they serve and the people who power their success.

Rooted in service. Driven by care.

Star Group isn’t just a service provider, it is a community partner. Through partnerships with national organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Feeding America, collaborating on local initiatives and charitable giving, they invest in the neighborhoods they serve. Their team members regularly participate in outreach efforts, reinforcing the company’s belief that doing good is part of doing business. At the same time, Star Group continues to embrace innovation, offering best-in-class HVAC services, energy-efficient products, energy-saving solutions and tools that make life easier for customers.

With a legacy of trust and a future focused on progress, Star Group is proud to be a Gold Corporate Member. We’re excited to spotlight their leadership in energy services and their dedication to customer care.

Learn more about Star Group: https://www.stargrouplp.com/

Cargas has been an active member since 2019.

Cargas is an employee-owned software company with nearly 200 employees. Cargas is the creator and provider of Cargas Energy, leading software for fuel delivery and HVAC service companies. With tools for fuel delivery, customer service, HVAC service, and cylinder exchange operations, Cargas Energy helps fuel dealers do more with the resources they already have so they can grow their businesses.

Through its unique employee-owned culture, Cargas fosters a commitment to excellence, a dedication to teamwork, and a high level of customer care. Established in 1988, Cargas has continuously been recognized as a Best Place to Work.

We thank Cargas and ALL of our Members for supporting Women in Energy.