Network Founder Receives John V. Kabler Memorial Award

BALTIMORE —Business Network for Offshore Wind Founder and CEO Liz Burdock will be honored tonight with the John V. Kabler Memorial Award. The award, which recognizes individuals and organizations working to protect Maryland’s environment, will be presented at the Changemakers: Celebrating Environmental Leaders event in Baltimore, hosted by the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (MDLCV).

Created in 2001, the John V. Kabler Memorial Award recognizes Maryland’s most outstanding environmental leaders and organizations. Named after John Valentine Kabler, a founder of MDLCV, who dedicated his life to making change through politics and improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay. During his career, Kabler helped to create protections for Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay that continue to benefit the area to this day. He played a crucial role in banning the use of phosphate detergents in the region, and his work on wetlands protection helped lead to the state’s Critical Areas program that controls waterfront development. Liz joins the ranks of past awardees including former Maryland Senator and Attorney General Brian Frosh, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Dr. Sacoby Wilson.

“As a Marylander, I am honored to receive the 2023 John V. Kabler Memorial Award,” said Burdock. “I have dedicated my career to promoting Maryland and helping create or expand businesses that benefit our environment and employ more people. Ten years ago, the Network began as a group of Maryland companies who saw the vast potential for offshore wind and today, we are seeing those efforts come to fruition. Thank you to the MDLCV for recognizing the important role offshore wind plays in protecting the environment and our clean energy future.”

Burdock has extensive experience convening and coordinating diverse stakeholders to develop sound solutions that facilitate the implementation of clean energy in the U.S., including managing the Chesapeake Crescent, a regional initiative aimed at growing a green regional economy. She founded the Business Network for Offshore Wind in 2013 as a Maryland-based organization. In the decade since, she’s expanded the Network’s mission domestically and internationally, creating the largest organization dedicated to the advancement of the offshore wind renewable energy industry in the world. Under her leadership, the Network serves as an industry convener, bringing together industry, policymakers, academics, community and workforce leaders to grow this utility-scale renewable energy. The Network hosts the International Partnering Forum (IPF), the largest offshore wind conference in the Americas, and has successfully created critical industry products like the Supply Chain Connect registry, the OSW Market Dashboard, and the Foundation 2 Blade training program, which support U.S. offshore wind development that will create jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change.

“Liz Burdock embodies the spirit of the John V. Kabler award and the principles of environmental leadership,” said Kim Coble, Executive Director of MDLCV. “Her work to advance the offshore wind industry stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication to Maryland’s clean energy future.” 

Additional Information:

• Maryland League of Conservation Voters
• John V. Kabler Memorial Award
• Changemakers: Celebrating Environmental Leaders

For more information or to arrange an interview with the Network, contact Luke Jeanfreau at luke@offshorewindus.org or 504-302-8079. 

The Business Network for Offshore Wind is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a robust offshore wind supply chain in the U.S. It advances the industry forward through education, facilitating partnerships, and events, including the International Partnering Forum, the largest offshore wind conference in America. Learn more at offshorewindus.org.