Brandeis International Business School

Eric A. Spiegel, president and CEO of Siemens USA, was honored with the 2015 Perlmutter Award for Global Business Leadership at the Boston Federal Reserve Bank on June 2. 

The award, presented on behalf of the Perlmutter Institute for Global Business Leadership by Brandeis International Business School  Dean Bruce Magid, P’15, honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional business leadership in recognition of commitment to and impact on the global community.

“Mr. Spiegel’s work throughout his career and with Siemens has made him an expert on the global energy industry,” said Magid. “The company’s commitment to sustainability and accomplishments in energy efficiency are a testament to his leadership, vision and investment in the future of our world.”

Siemens USA has a reputation as a beacon for creativity and innovation in the American energy sector. Spiegel noted the company’s significant footprint in Massachusetts, with over 2,000 employees in 15 locations throughout the state.

“We’re proud to have such a strong presence in this area, and we’re proud of our commitment to the community – whether that’s through sustainability or by developing a skilled workforce,” said Spiegel.

He noted growth opportunities in the Commonwealth, including the expansion of public transportation systems, recycling options to enhance environmental performance and the implementation of apprenticeship models to bridge the skills gap and to lower youth unemployment rates. The region’s energy costs – some of the highest in the nation – were addressed by Spiegel and panelists at the New England Economic Partnership (NEEP) Conference held earlier in the day. Both events were sponsored and hosted by the Perlmutter Institute, NEEP and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.

The conference, “Building the Backbone of Energy Efficiency in New England,” featured more than 75 leaders who addressed economic energy challenges facing the region. Panels included representatives from over 15 companies and research centers, including IHS Global Insight, Eversource and The Brattle Group, as well as NEEP regional economic forecasters.

The events took place only a few days after a power outage north of Boston affected more than 40,000 people, creating delays on the MBTA’s Orange Line and halting business throughout the area. The outage raised the question of whether Boston is doing everything it can to sustain energy and fortify reliable systems. According to Spiegel and many of the conference panelists, there’s work to be done – but there’s also much to applaud. New England has seen increased use of renewable energy sources, consumer-focused technology and a strong focus on developing sustainable energy solutions that balance cost and usage concerns.

“We need to build a flexible grid that can take multiple energy sources – such as gas, wind, solar, hydro – and deliver them in a reliable, low-cost manner,” said John Ballantine, president of NEEP and senior lecturer at Brandeis International Business School. “The challenge is developing technologies that can accomplish this while reducing New England’s carbon footprint.”