About Us

Our Experience

i3 Energy was founded by Sandra Blackwood and Nathan Baer and our approach to energy efficiency is based off 50+ years of combined experience designing and implementing EE programs as owners of Staples & Associates/Staples Energy.

i3-energy-about

What We Do

We’re an energy efficiency company focused on assisting gas and electric utilities with achieving their energy saving and sustainability goals. We accomplish this by developing networks of contractors who are focused on energy efficiency installations. We also provide database-driven software to simplify the application process for contractors and customers alike. The knowledge of our in-the-field energy advisors is based on decades of hands-on experience with lighting, refrigeration, compressed air, and heating & cooling equipment. Our team is focused on Inclusion, Integration, and Innovation (i3) to help our clients achieve their goals.

Leadership

Sandra Blackwood

Sandy Blackwood

President and CFO

Sandy Blackwood serves as President and CFO of i3 Energy, LLC. In this role Sandy oversees business strategy, profitability, budgetary and financial activities as well as overall company health. Sandy is one of the founding members of i3 Energy, LLC.

Since 1991, Sandy has worked for Staples & Associates, Inc as an accounting manager and then CFO where she was responsible for all accounting, billing, invoicing, and receivable. She has developed and adapted the procedures necessary to collect and manage data for each of our utility clients and subcontractors.

Nate Baer

Nate Baer

CEO/VP

Nate Baer serves as the CEO and VP of i3-Energy, LLC. In this role he is responsible for overall business development, company image and profitability of programs. He works directly with Sandy Blackwood, President and CFO to identify company strategic direction, financial health and continually develop and expand equity and inclusion efforts.

Nate’s role with i3-Energy is new but his expertise has been built over the last 15 years where he worked in business development and operations for Staples & Associates/Staples Energy. Nate formerly served as COO of Staples Energy and is a managing partner of the company. Nate served on the board of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) and has spoken nationwide at conferences about trade ally/energy efficiency service provider strategy.

We look for partnership opportunities where we can bring our expertise to the table. That expertise includes trade ally identification, recruitment, training, and inspections for small, medium, and large commercial programs. Additional expertise extends to income-qualified and mobile homes programs where we conduct blower door tests and perform duct sealing, air sealing, underbelly repairs and HVAC upgrades.

Energy Solutions

A summary of the solutions we can provide:

  • Trade ally recruitment, motivation, and training
  • Marketing and program material development
  • Software solutions that streamline program delivery while remaining user friendly
  • Measure installation including lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, and energy management systems
  • Inspection services
i3-pillars

Dedication to Diversity

Inclusion: Giving good people of varying backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to contribute and thrive

Integration: Gathering insight from every perspective and embracing the different points of view

Innovation: Formulating ideas and crafting solutions that result in value for everyone involved

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