SOLON, Ohio – Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) has been named a 2025 NorthCoast 99 award winner by ERC, the Employers Resource Council. The NorthCoast 99 award honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. This is the first time that NOPEC has received the prestigious NorthCoast 99 award.
"Twenty-seven years ago, ERC launched the NorthCoast 99 awards program and event to help our region become a prime destination for companies and high-performing individuals," said Samantha Marx, ERC's Vice President of Strategic Projects, who oversees the NorthCoast 99 program. "Beyond being a sought-after accolade, this yearlong research initiative offers employers valuable insights and data into policies and practices that successfully attract and retain top talent."
NorthCoast 99 winners participated in a rigorous application process that asked for detailed information on how their organization addresses top-performer attraction, development, and retention in the areas of employee engagement and talent development; employee well-being; organizational strategy, policies, and benefits; talent attraction, acquisition, and onboarding; and total rewards.
"We are dedicated to building a supportive environment where open communication, mutual respect, and teamwork are at the core of our daily interactions,” said Melissa Winfield, Chief Operating Officer. "We recognize that our success is intertwined with the well-being and development of our employees, and we are committed to investing in their professional growth and satisfaction.”
NOPEC, the largest governmental energy aggregation in Ohio, serves 248 member communities in 20 counties through aggregation, education, and advocacy. The organization prides itself on operating with integrity, working to keep energy rates affordable, and providing valuable programs that support member communities and better the lives of their residents.
"Finding employees who are passionate about public service is essential to our success, as their dedication and drive inspire innovation and excellence in all that we do,” said Chuck Kieper, NOPEC’s Executive Director and CEO. “Our organization's achievements are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible team."
“Winning NorthCoast 99 is not easy. This group of 99 employers is constantly evolving, listening, and responding to the needs and desires of today’s talent. We commend the 2025 winners for setting a benchmark for excellence,” said ERC President and CEO Kelly Keefe.
The 2025 NorthCoast 99 awards program is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; CIBC; Cleveland Magazine; ERChealth; Maloney + Novotny; Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis; Oswald Companies; Staffing Solutions Enterprises; and WKYC Studios.
About NOPEC
NOPEC is a governmental energy aggregation in Ohio that uses the bulk buying power of 248 member communities to negotiate exclusive electric and natural gas rates for 930,000 residential and small business customers. Since 2001, NOPEC has saved its customers hundreds of millions of dollars on their energy costs, provided education opportunities for Ohio students and residents, and helped protect Ohio consumers by advocating for consumer-friendly energy policies to protect against unfair utility rate increases. For more information about NOPEC, visit us at nopec.org.
About ERC
At ERC, we work with leaders to build better workplaces and solve the challenges that don’t come with easy solutions — like pay, employee relations, training, and engagement. For over 100 years, we have been a trusted resource for organizations in Northeast Ohio and around the country. ERC is also the creator of the annual NorthCoast 99 awards program, honoring the 99 highest-ranking workplaces in Northeast Ohio each year. Learn more at yourERC.com.
