Shaping Canada’s Energy Future: 25 Years of Partnership Between the AEE and CIET

As we approach 2025, we’re celebrating 25 years of partnership between the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and CIET – a collaboration that has brought top-tier training and certification in energy efficiency to Canadians across the country. For those curious about a career in energy management or passionate about sustainable practices, this milestone is more than just a marker of time. It’s a testament to the thousands of professionals who, like you, have taken these courses to drive change in their industries and communities. Join us on a journey through the story of how this partnership has helped shape Canada’s energy efficiency landscape and established CIET as a leader in energy management and decarbonization training. 

A Meeting That Accelerated Canada’s Journey in Energy Efficiency Training  

In December 1999, CIET founder Doug Tripp traveled to Atlanta for a meeting with Al Thumann, the visionary Executive Director and founder of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Little did Doug know that this simple encounter would spark a movement inspiring thousands of Canadians to step into energy management roles and become champions of sustainable change. 

Mathieu Côte, CIET Executive Director, with Doug Tripp, CIET founder, at the AEE GTA 25-year celebration. 

From American Roots to Canadian Gold Standard: The Evolution of the CEM Program

After that meeting, CIET launched Canada’s first Certified Energy Manager (CEM) training sessions in 2000. Back then, the program consisted of American materials, imperial units, and U.S. instructors. As demand grew, so did our commitment to tailor the experience for Canadians. Over the years, we have built a team of passionate Canadian experts, which includes Ali Farhat, Ali Syed, Andrew Cooper, Andrew Hejnar, Dragos Paraschiv, Ed Rubinstein, Eric Mazzi, Emily Thorn Corthay, Geneviève Gauthier, Guy Turgeon, Ian Ball, Jeffrey Underhill, Jon Feldman, Maelys Fillon, Shahriar Ghahremanian, and Simon Kattoura. Together, they have adapted the CEM content to reflect Canada’s unique energy landscape and priorities. Today, the CEM is the gold standard in energy management certification in Canada, empowering a record number of Canadian professionals to lead in sustainability and energy efficiency. 

Fostering Community, Inspiring Change: CIET’s Support of AEE Chapters Across Canada 

Around the same time the CIET-AEE partnership began, the AEE GTA Chapter (formerly the AEE Southern Ontario Chapter) was formed by Dan McDougall and other passionate energy professionals looking to connect with like-minded individuals in Ontario. While AEE chapters in many countries fund themselves through training sessions, CIET’s exclusive role as AEE’s Canadian training partner has meant that Canadian chapters focus purely on building community. For 25 years, CIET has thus financially supported AEE chapters across Canada in Metro Vancouver, Alberta, Hamilton, the GTA, and Canada East, thus helping to strengthen and grow a vast network of energy professionals. This collaboration has inspired incredible mobilization that was recently celebrated at the AEE GTA Chapter’s 25th anniversary event during which the energy community came together to reflect on past achievements and look to future impacts. 

Expanding Expertise: How CIET’s AEE Certifications Empower Canada’s Energy Professionals 

Throughout the years, CIET has expanded its offerings, bringing more AEE certifications to Canada and broadening opportunities for professionals looking to deepen their expertise in energy management. From the Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) to the Certified Energy Auditor (CEA), the Certified Industrial Energy Professional (CIEP), the 50001 Certified Professional, and the Carbon Auditing Professional (CAP), CIET’s portfolio now includes a range of AEE programs that cover essential areas of energy efficiency. With these certifications, more than 8,000 Canadian professionals have gained the skills to lead in energy management and drive positive change in their industries. Each course represents a step forward for individuals committed to sustainability, making the journey both rewarding and impactful. 

Canadian delegates at AEE World 2025 in Nashville

As we celebrate 25 years of collaboration between CIET and AEE, it’s clear that this partnership has not only shaped careers, but also advanced energy efficiency across Canada. By empowering thousands of professionals with the skills and certifications needed to make a difference, CIET and AEE have helped build a more sustainable future one certification at a time. As we look forward, our commitment remains the same: Provide the tools, training, and community support that energy professionals need to lead Canada toward a greener tomorrow. Here’s to the next 25 impactful years.