Marco Gonzalez, corporate energy manager at AFS Corporate Member Waupaca Foundry, has been selected as the Energy Manager of the Year for the Midwest by the Association of Energy Engineers. The award was presented at the association’s regional awards in September. 

In his role, Gonzalez is responsible for leading the company’s energy and decarbonization efforts at plants nationwide. Waupaca Foundry is on a journey to be net zero and has made investments in sustainability initiatives since 2001. Gonzalez and a team of environmental engineers at each foundry operation have achieved the following sustainability benchmarks. The iron casting supplier has: 

• Reduced its Scope 1 & Scope 2 energy intensity by 21% since 2010.
• Joined the U.S. Better Climate Challenge in 2022.
• Joined the U.S. Better Buildings Low Carbon Pilot program in 2021.
• Earned ISO 50001 energy management certification at its Plant 1 grey iron foundry in 2016.
• Prepared its first CDP report (FKA Carbon Disclosure Project), and the first U.S. metalcaster to do so, in 2015.
• Developed a formal energy plan and roadmap in 2014.
• Joined the US DOE Better Buildings, Better Plants Save Energy Now program in 2009, which was among the first 32 charter companies.

“Foundries are energy intensive operations. We are responsible to our team members and customers to achieve our sustainability goals,” said Waupaca Foundry President, COO, and CEO Mike Nikolai. “With Marco’s leadership we have reduced our energy requirements 22% since 2009 and this would not have been possible without his commitment to this goal.”

“I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this award,” Gonzalez said. “This recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence on our journey to increase energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint.”