Last summer, Sam Thomas lived out a lifelong dream, embarking on a three-month cycling adventure across Europe with his family. For him, it wasn’t just about covering 2,000 kilometers—it was about spending time with family while his kids are young.

The trip coincided with Sam’s 15th anniversary at Prism Engineering and a well-earned break. Over the years, he has significantly contributed to our company’s successes, culture and direction, as well as to the energy management industry overall.

Sam and his family at the Col du Galibier, in the French Alps. The cycling trip had 14,000m of total vertical gain.

A leader’s path at Prism

During his time at Prism, Sam has played a pivotal role in developing services, building teams, and fostering relationships. Today, Sam is one of our Principals, the Strategic Energy Management (SEM) Team Leader, and the Kootenay Branch Manager of our office in Nelson, BC.

Sam’s journey into energy management began with an early passion for sustainability. “When I was little, I loved watching nature documentaries on TV. I was fascinated by Greenpeace and their work. I used to tell my parents that I wanted to be a ‘Green Pea’ when I grew up. I have always been interested in and passionate about the environment, sustainability, and responsible use of resources,” he recalls.

Born in the United Kingdom, he grew up in New Zealand, where rural life at his family’s vineyard and winery instilled a strong work ethic and a connection to the environment. This enthusiasm led him to study Applied Physics in Energy Systems, with a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

When Sam moved to Canada, Prism was his first employer in the country. Starting at the Burnaby office, he soon envisioned expanding the company’s reach beyond the Lower Mainland. “It has been a little more than 11 years since we opened our office in Nelson, BC,” Sam shares. “My family was looking for a change and I saw a niche that Prism’s services could fill.”

Sam remembers the hard work that went into building a client base in the beginning. “I got a lot of support from Robert Greenwald for that. He helped me develop skills to promote our company to local clients,” he recalls.

The decision to open the Nelson office was welcomed by Prism’s leadership, who recognized the opportunity to better serve the southern interior of British Columbia. Over the past decade, Sam has cultivated a strong local team and established Prism as a trusted partner in the region. “People really appreciate us being local and knowledgeable about the region,” he adds.

Sam (right) with Brian O’Donnell, Founder (left), and Robert Greenwald,
President and CEO of Prism Engineering (center).

Impactful projects

Reflecting on his 15 years at Prism, Sam recalls several stand-out projects. “The chiller expansion that we completed at Interior Health’s Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail, BC, in 2014, is one I’m particularly proud of,” he notes. This project involved interconnecting chiller plants to improve redundancy and system efficiency. The retrofit alone was expected to save 194 tons of eCO2 and reduce energy costs by $19,000 annually. “It was very rewarding to complete that project and see our presence in the region making a tangible difference.”

His work as the first Energy Manager for the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) from 2009 to 2014 helped the institution meet its energy reduction targets two years ahead of schedule. “It was exciting to create change within the organization as they were very receptive to our ideas. The SEM program we established there continues to exist to this day.”

Other significant projects in strategic energy management include collaborations with Thompson Rivers University (TRU) for ISO 50001 and with Strathcona County to develop an Energy Management Plan.

At Prism, Sam has also contributed to various improvements within the company. As a Principal, he plays a key role in helping set Prism’s strategic direction, building and developing our services, and leading people and teams.

Early in his career, he helped develop Prism’s Energy Management Assessment (EMA) tool, named ENGAGE, to support clients in their SEM journeys. “The EMA tool helps clients assess their energy management practices, identify gaps, and create actionable plans to close them,” Sam explains. “We’ve completed more than 100 EMAs using this tool. You know that you’ve facilitated a good EMA if you’ve created the space for a good conversation about SEM between operations and management. The ENGAGE tool really helps us do that.”

Sam working as an energy manager for UFV in 2010.

Looking to the future

Sam is excited about the expansion of our work in strategic energy management, both geographically and in scope. “SEM intersects with almost everything we do at Prism,” he says. “The potential for growth is huge, and we’re currently working on a diverse range of projects with BC Hydro and FortisBC and expanding our reach beyond British Columbia.”

He observes that the energy management industry is evolving as more people recognize the challenges posed by climate change. “Today, organizations are much more interested in reducing their emissions,” he notes. “They’re also more willing to accept longer payback periods, recognizing the importance of prioritizing emission reductions.”

To support this shift, executive and leadership training becomes crucial. “What inspires me in SEM is the opportunity to build capacity with different stakeholders. If we can use our skills to coach and train energy managers to become better at what they do, then we will be better off in the big picture,” he says.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) will also play a transformative role in the industry. “At Prism, we’re exploring AI capabilities, from reviewing energy modelling data to helping prepare for energy studies,” he shares.

Last fall, we celebrated Sam’s 15-year anniversary during our annual company “Townhall”. As part of that, we asked him what Prism’s purpose, “Changing Systems for a Better World”, means to him:

“Changing the world starts with changing the systems that shape it. At Prism, we focus on transforming organizational, physical, and internal systems to help manage energy and emissions. While challenges abound, there’s incredible progress being made—and so much more to do. Being part of this mission inspires pride and hope for a brighter future.”

Prism’s SEM Team. From left to right: Mike Latimer, Senior SEM Coach;
Robert Greenwald, CEO & President; Shannon Hardman, Senior SEM Coach;
Sam Thomas, SEM Team Lead; Josh Caplan, Senior SEM Coach;
Richard Senez, Energy Management Professional. 

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