The Long Island Chapter of ASHRAE announced the first-ever winner of its Engineer of the Year award. The award, which will be presented annually, recognizes an engineer (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or controls), who is Long Island-based or a Long Island resident and has an outstanding record of exceptional performance or innovation in the HVACR industry. The award was presented at ASHRAE Long Island’s Past Presidents’ Night at Westbury Manor on June 13.

The 2023 Award winner is Jonah Allaben, a resident of Oceanside, a mechanical engineer, and a Senior Associate in Energy Services at New York City-based consulting engineering firm Goldman Copeland. The firm has completed energy audits and retro-commissioning projects for more than 50 million square feet of commercial and institutional properties. It has also certified more ENERGY STAR buildings in the tri-state area than any other firm. 

With more than 15 years of experience in managing and designing complex engineering projects, Allaben’s particular expertise is in turning the results of energy audits into actionable designs for increased energy efficiency. His work bridges the gap between the audit and the need for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) designs that convert the audit’s findings into energy-saving solutions. He thereby leads projects through design and implementation of multi-million-dollar capital-improvement initiatives, generating both energy and financial savings for some of the largest property owners in the tri-state area. 

Allaben has lived in Oceanside for almost 10 years. He is a graduate of Cornell University, from which he received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering and a master of engineering degree in mechanical engineering. He is a Professional Engineer, a Certified Energy Manager, a Designated Design-Build Professional, and a LEED Accredited Professional.

“The Long Island Chapter of ASHRAE is pleased to initiate its Engineer of the Year Award by honoring Jonah Allaben, a leading practitioner of energy efficiency in the tri-state area,” said Murat Bayramoglu, President of ASHRAE Long Island. “At a time when energy efficiency is a crucial priority locally, regionally, and nationally, this year’s Award winner underscores the essential role of engineers in achieving the highest standards of energy efficiency.”