Alumni Who Inspire: Laurie Wiegand-Jackson

Chemical engineering alumna Laurie Wiegand-Jackson shares her 30 years of expertise in the industry and advice for aspiring engineering. 

We’re excited to introduce our September alumna, Laurie Wiegand-Jackson, a distinguished 1984 graduate of the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering  at West Virginia University.  

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Wiegand-Jackson is a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman. She currently serves as president and founder of Utility Advantage, a New Jersey-based national provider of energy consulting services company founded in 2003. With over 30 years of national experience in utilities, energy supply, energy procurement, energy efficiency, renewable energy and integrated distributed energy resources, Wiegand-Jackson provides a broad range of knowledge and experience to benefit her clients.  

Wiegand-Jackson is also active in promoting the professional advancement of women in the energy industry. She founded the Council for Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership within the International Association of Energy Engineers. She served as chair of the Board of Directors of CWEEL as well as president of the Association of Energy Engineers in 2007 and received the Distinguished Service Award in 2009. She was inducted into the AEE Energy Managers Hall of Fame in 2016 – one of only 3 women to be inducted in this prestigious group of just sixty-six internationally-recognized outstanding leaders in the field of energy management since 1990.  

In 2019, Wiegand-Jackson was selected to serve as the Chair of the Energy/Environment Focus Group for a US Congressional Initiative called SMART - Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow. SMART is designed to support research, development and technology-based opportunities in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

With such a wealth of experience in renewable energy consulting, Wiegand-Jackson has not only made significant contributions but has also remained deeply connected to our Statler community. This month’s Alumni Who Inspire conversation sheds light on her journey, insights into her career and advice for aspiring professionals.   

Q: How did you come to join West Virginia University?  

A: I grew up in Chatham Township, New Jersey and I always had an interest in math and science. I also enjoyed my other subjects, including English, social studies and languages. I started my college career at Cornell University in the engineering college. Cornell is a prestigious institution and I was thrilled to be accepted there, but after the first semester of my sophomore year I decided it was not the place for me. I felt isolated and insignificant in the large auditorium-style classrooms. My performance was substandard, and I was increasingly feeling depressed. I visited my close friend who was a theater major at WVU during Cornell’s winter break and that was a pivotal moment. I knew I needed to leave Cornell, mainly for my mental health, but also to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I met with the dean of engineering and the president of WVU at that time to share my story. They listened to my story and showed great empathy and concern. They helped me to make one of the most significant decisions in my young adult life. I was able to matriculate into Statler College but took a full semester of electives while I decided my major. I thought engineering might not be for me. At the end of my sophomore year, I felt invigorated and happy to be a Mountaineer. I recommitted to my studies in chemical engineering. I loved the practical teaching and smaller class size at WVU. I was being taught by professors and connected with some of my classmates through a study group. 

Q: Why chemical engineering? 

A: My father was a chemical engineer, and he traveled around the world as a sales executive for a large chemical and petroleum company. He encouraged me in math and science and to be well-rounded in my education and interests. My desire was to follow in his footsteps. My father passed away when I was eleven years old, yet his impact on my life is so evident. Experiencing loss at such an early age gave me resilience and it also taught me to cherish what is important in life. I learned that time is precious, and we should not take anything for granted. 

Q: What were some of the academic pursuits you were involved in? 

A:  I was able to succeed at WVU – both academically and in extracurricular activities – working with Citizen Action Group and rising the ranks to serve as president of West Virginia Public Interest Research Group. Beyond my studies, I was interested in lots of different things – from art and music to the environment. I enjoyed the local crafts and bluegrass music that was so prevalent in Appalachia. I attended fairs and explored the outdoors – hiking and even camping when I could find the time. I was especially interested in bringing about change. 

Q: Can you share a bit about your career path since graduating? What led you to your current role? 

I wanted to work in the renewable energy field, but when I graduated the opportunities were extremely limited. After lots of job applications and rejections, I was hired by a local natural gas utility company, NJ Natural Gas Company, as the first woman engineer on their team. I really enjoyed the work in engineering and operations and the people there were great to work with. Three years later, I took a position at another natural gas utility in New Jersey to be closer to home and for an increase in pay. I spent nearly ten years there taking on different roles and assignments. I moved from engineering into sales and management for the energy conservation programs, and then was tasked with developing a start-up business under the utility umbrella of companies. I was at the director management level when I left the company, hoping to move into executive leadership. I worked for a wholesale producer of natural gas to build their northeast retail division. The company was acquired by a west coast utility, and I found myself leading a national accounts division and frequently traveling across the country while managing my life as a single mom. Shortly thereafter, I found a position with a local NJ company that delivered energy efficiency projects to commercial and government sector clients. I created their energy procurement division, building on my more than nearly 15 years of energy commodity and utility experience. This was a small business – not at all like the larger corporations I had worked for previously.  

Q: Is this experience what led to a change in trajectory to become an entrepreneur?  

Yes, it is. I liked the small business environment – it reminded me of start-ups, and I felt I could make more of an impact there. I was also considering starting my own business in the future, and I thought this would be a good learning experience. The company went through a few iterations in response to market changes and the vision of the owner. It was then that I married my husband of now over 20 years, and he supported my decision to go out on my own and start my consulting company. I built two companies in this timeframe - both in the energy space – my consulting company and a demand response company. I sold the latter in 2015. 

Q: What challenges have you encountered in your career, and how did you overcome them? 

A: Through my career, I learned that in most cases, if you do your job well and maintain a professional and positive attitude, you can ride out any storms and will be rewarded in the end.

Q: How does what you do today relate to engineering? 

A: I am first and foremost an energy engineer. That provides credibility in the work I do. But also, engineering is, at its core, problem solving. I use these problem-solving skills every day and through every step of my career path. I encourage people who enjoy math and science to consider engineering as it leads to so many different opportunities. 

Q: What advice would you give to current students looking to break into your field? 

A:  

1. Don’t feel pressured to do anything that you don’t want to; assess the situation, explore your options and then decide. It’s your decision. It may lead you right back to where you were – as it did in my case with studying engineering – but then you will know it was what YOU wanted and not because of pressures from someone or something else. Giving yourself the time to contemplate and choose your path is very important and a skill that you will use repeatedly as you find yourself at a crossroads or in a challenging situation. 

2. Prioritize your mental and physical health. I chose to get outdoors as my main path to peace and happiness during the pressures of academic life. This has become my main coping mechanism throughout my life. I can be still and reflect, pray, write my thoughts and in these times, I can find clarity and answers without the interruptions of everyday life. 

3. Be well-rounded. My father inspired this in me. Engineers are stereotyped as one-dimensional. Try things that are outside of your core academic pursuits. Take electives that interest you. Participate in clubs or athletics or music. Volunteer to help others. Find one or two things that you really enjoy and commit to them – give it your best. Don’t be afraid to try something that pushes you way outside of your comfort zone – maybe into a leadership role or something fun that you haven’t allowed yourself to try. You may surprise yourself and you will increase your self-awareness and self-esteem in the process. People will find you more interesting as well and that can help you to develop more diverse and long-lasting friendships. 

The Alumni Who Inspire! Program recognizes alumni for their dedication to their professions and West Virginia University. The program was launched in Fall 2023 as a monthly discussion board with Statler alumni. 

Like Wiegand-Jackson, there are so many Statler alumni here and around the world with amazing stories. Join us next month to learn more about our community and their inspiring journeys. Let’s Go!

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