Laura Milbrandt receives James Gardner Weatherization Award

It's time to tip our hats to the great work our fellow Minnesotans are doing in the clean energy space. Recently the Minnesota Department of Commerce announced that Laura Milbrandt received the James Gardner Weatherization Award in Washington, D.C. at the National Association for State Community Services Program Winter Conference. Way to go, Laura!

The James Gardner Weatherization Award recognizes leadership achievement at the national, state, or local level that makes a positive impact on the weatherization community. Recipients of the award have each played a key role in the planning and design of new initiatives and have demonstrated dedication and commitment to their constituency as a leader and advocate for weatherization.

Minnesota Department of Commerce staff recently shared in their Weatherization Assistance Program newsletter, “Laura has played a key role both in Prairie Five Community Action’s Weatherization Assistance Program as the Housing and Weatherization Director, but also as a key member of collaborative efforts with United Community Action Program to serve the 17 counties of in the southwest corner of Minnesota. Laura also serves as the Minnesota Weatherization Advisory Group chair where she has continued to develop network relations, policy direction, and represents the views of the service provider network to Commerce.”

CERTs reached out to Laura to congratulate her and ask a couple of quick questions.

What is your favorite part about the work that you do?

“The end product we are able to provide our clients with — a technical and skilled approach to making their house more energy efficient — is why we all work so hard to make our weatherization program the best one around. However, what I absolutely love in my work is the network we have going in Minnesota. My fellow service providers and the Commerce Weatherization Assistance Program staff all have a great working relationship. The camaraderie and the friendship in the network makes working the weatherization program, even with all the rules and regs, fun!”

What is your least favorite part of the work?

“Having to explain to someone we can't do something on their home because that isn't what our weatherization program does.”

If a person wants to know if they are eligible for weatherization so they can sign up for the services, what steps should they take?

“Contact your local Weatherization Program Service Provider.”