FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2026

Contact:
Josh Valentine, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
jvalentine@swenergy.org | 303-304-7613

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[DENVER, CO] – Today, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) announced that the organization’s founding Buildings Program Director, Jim Meyers, will be stepping down from his position after nearly 17 years, and handing off the baton to Buildings Team colleague Robin Yochum.

“Jim is a giant in the field of building energy efficiency and a living legend here at SWEEP,” said Elise Jones, SWEEP’s Executive Director. “For nearly two decades, he has passionately and collaboratively worked to help homeowners, businesses, and building officials across the Southwest improve efficiency, save money, cut energy waste and pollution, and improve the comfort and health of the built environment. We are so grateful for his service and camaraderie over the years, and the incredible contributions he has made to SWEEP and the broader energy efficiency arena.” 

Jim joined the SWEEP team in 2009 after working in the building trade association industry, the energy performance and auditing industry, and the software industry. Since then, he has made his mark developing new model code language through International Code Council committees, helping local and state governments across the Southwest adopt updated codes, getting some of the first electric vehicle charging requirements into building codes, and helped train thousands of energy code stakeholders in building science and energy code requirements. In 2024, Jim was honored with the nation’s highest energy code award, the prestigious Jeffrey A. Johnson Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Building Energy Codes, at the National Energy Codes Conference in Sacramento. He will continue to support SWEEP’s Buildings Program in the future as a part-time consultant.

Added Jim Meyers, “It’s been an honor to be the leading force in SWEEP’s Building Program. The past 17 years have seen a significant shift in energy code and buildings in the Southwest, ranging from simple energy-efficient buildings to the most forward-thinking, future-ready buildings. This has, in turn, improved the health and affordability of homes and businesses in the region. I’m excited to pass the baton to Robin, whose vision and dedication are perfect for the next chapter.”

SWEEP also announced that Robin Yochum will be stepping into the role of SWEEP’s new Buildings Program Director. A current staff member at SWEEP, Robin brings over a decade of experience in energy efficiency to the position, including stints at the Building Performance Association and the Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy, where she led on energy code adoption, management of federal grants, and the development and implementation of high-impact building energy policies.

“While Jim’s shoes are size 13 plus to fill, I’m confident that Robin is up to the task,” said Elise. “Robin will bring both seasoned expertise and fresh eyes to SWEEP’s work and help us launch into the next chapter of our leadership on building decarbonization.”

​“I am honored to step into this role and carry forward the incredible legacy Jim has built over the last 17 years, added Robin Yochum. “He has been an invaluable mentor and friend, and I’m grateful he’ll remain a part of our journey. Having spent my career at the intersection of energy policy and practical implementation, I know how vital building efficiency is to a clean energy future. I’m thrilled to lead our team as we tackle the next generation of challenges from leveraging federal funding to advancing innovative decarbonization policies to ensure the Southwest remains a national leader in creating sustainable, healthy, and affordable communities.”

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The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is a public interest organization promoting greater energy efficiency, clean transportation, and beneficial electrification in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. swenergy.org