The Smart Buildings Center (SBC) and Building Operator Certification (BOC) program are proud to announce the 2025 BOC Operator of the Year: Sam Spector, retired Head Custodian and Facilities from the Sweetgrass County High School!

Each year, BOC requests nominations for people working to improve the energy efficiency of their work environment using skills they learned in the BOC program. We received many impressive 2025 nominations detailing how methods learned in BOC classes are helping people make improvements in their work environments, but Sam’s story stood out among the rest.

In his role at the Sweetgrass County High School, Sam managed many energy conservation projects over his 25-year tenure including lighting retrofits, HVAC system improvements, high-efficiency motors, high-efficiency domestic hot water system, exhaust controls, and finally a HVAC control system renovation all resulting in greatly increased comfort and improved efficiency. Improvements also include indoor air quality and lower maintenance costs. Sam was responsible for completing over thirty conservation projects during his tenure, which resulted in reduced electrical consumption by 50 percent.!

Sam has championed methodology and skills he learned from the BOC program, completing Level I and Level II, from benchmarking to LED lighting and advanced controls systems. Culminating in the installation of a 50 KW solar electric generation system, his passion for sustainability and energy improvements saves the school district more than $48K per year! His BOC training and hard work created the following real-world impacts for Sweetgrass County High School:

• Energy savings of 62% of total electrical energy cost.
• Energy Usage Intensity (EUI) score of 54 which is in the top 95 percentile of US Schools.

The SBC and BOC program applaud Sam on his efforts and congratulate him on being named as 2025 BOC Operator of the Year!

Know someone who deserves recognition for their work in the industry? Nominations will open for the 2026 BOC Operator of the Year award in April, so stay tuned!

The Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network (BEACON) Project launched in June 2025, placing 10 fellows across the state to provide free, technical assistance to building owners working to meet the Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS). The Smart Buildings Center is supporting the project with training and technical support for the fellows. We are sharing features of BEACON fellows from different counties for the next few weeks that are published by the Department of Commerce. If you’re interested in receiving assistance from a BEACON fellow, please complete the BEACON Project Interest Form.

Where is your host site?

Paige Shinall: I am partnered with Pierce County’s Office of Resilience and Climate Action housed within the Planning and Public Works Division.

Rebekah Lee: My host site is the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus in Pierce County.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Paige: Originally from Minneapolis, MN, I moved to Tacoma in 2021 for my undergraduate education at the University of Puget Sound. I spent four years playing on the varsity tennis team, working on campus and community outreach projects for my campus’s sustainability department, and spending my summers conducting geologic fieldwork as an intern with Mount Rainier National Park. I graduated in the spring of 2025 with a dual degree in Geology and Environmental Policy and lots of memorable experiences. I now reside in Seattle and spend my free time recreating outdoors, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.

Rebekah: I am a born-and-raised Washingtonian. I recently graduated from Emory University with degrees in environmental science and psychology. I have experience working in diverse environmental fields, including environment-based community health projects and initiatives, investigating corporate targets of industrial stormwater permitting, and contributing to agricultural research. I am also passionate about environmental equity and environmental education, especially for underserved regions and historically marginalized communities.

Why did you apply to be a BEACON fellow?

Paige: I applied for the BEACON fellowship because I wanted to continue in the environmental field and learn more about energy efficiency efforts. I was compelled by the structure of the fellowship and the comprehensive training provided to fellows. I have loved being able to connect with different professionals in the field and learn more about how we can help protect the planet in large and small ways.

Rebekah: As a Washington native and sustainability-focused individual, the BEACON fellowship is an excellent opportunity to enact positive change for my community as well as acquiring and applying sustainable skills. As a fellow, I am able to support and help enact tangible, sustainable changes that have immediate and significant impacts in my home state. The BEACON fellowship has helped me develop professionally while allowing me to build environmental resilience and give back to my home.

Both Paige and Rebekah provide Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) support to Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings in Pierce County. To receive services, please complete the BEACON Project Interest Form. You can also email Paige at [email protected] and Rebekah at [email protected].

This story was originally on the Clean Buildings Bulletin from WA Dept of Commerce. For more stories like this one check out the full bulletin here.