Our Founders

Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) was conceived of by co-founders Beth Sachs and Blair Hamilton in 1986 with friends and colleagues at their kitchen table, and then began to operate their energy services in 1987. In the 25 years since, VEIC has grown to a staff of more than 230 with offices in three states, and numerous consulting projects in North America and beyond.

Beth Sachs

Beth Sachs, with her partner Blair Hamilton, started VEIC in order to address what they saw as the three major barriers to people investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy in their homes, businesses and institutions – lack of access to trustworthy, unbiased information, lack of access to capital, and the challenges for building owners of starting and sticking with the process. VEIC was created to provide objective, third-party expertise on sustainable energy resources, coupled with innovative financing mechanisms, delivered through a one-stop shop service. For the first several years, virtually all of their activities focused on partnering with Vermont housing organizations to help decrease the burden of energy costs on low-income households. Beth served as Executive Director of the organization until 2008, before transitioning to her current post as Founder. In this role, she fosters stewardship of the mission, values, and goals of VEIC in the workplace and the community, as well as participating in VEIC’s education, advocacy, and business development activities. She's been involved in energy efficiency and passive solar work more than 40 years. Beth currently serves on the Board of the Directors of Vermont Works for Women, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and VEIC.

Blair Hamilton

Blair Hamilton, Co-Founder of VEIC, passed away on April 8, 2011. Blair was a champion of the energy-efficiency industry as well as a person deeply committed to his community, family and friends. He was a visionary, leader, mentor, partner, friend and so much more. We at VEIC are honored to have had the opportunity to work with him and are committed to continuing his legacy.

VEIC has created the Blair Hamilton Memorial Energy Efficiency Fund. Those who would like to donate may do so by sending checks made out to: VEIC Blair Hamilton Memorial Energy Efficiency Fund. Checks should be sent to VEIC, 128 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 401, Burlington, Vermont 05401.

We will work with Blair’s family and the VEIC Board of Directors to set criteria for use of these funds in ways that honor the legacy of Blair’s work.

For a link to Blair’s obituary please see below:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/burlingtonfreepress/obituary.aspx?n=blair-hamilton&pid=150203927

Blair Hamilton Memorial Celebration

View the celebration held on May 20, 2011 in Vermont: