Wind Energy

New Acciona wind turbines project’s name to honor deceased employee

Now christened the Big Smile Wind Farm at Dempsey Ridge, the 132-MW project is located in Roger Mills and Beckham counties in Oklahoma. The project, situated 15 miles west of Acciona’s 123-MW Red Hills Wind Farm, was named in memory of Jennifer Koop-Krass, a former staff member the company called extremely courageous, particularly during her bout with ovarian cancer, which took her life last year. In her role as director of energy marketing at Acciona Energy North America and as one of the company’s earliest employees upon its entry into the North American market, Koop-Krass played a big role in Acciona’s success in the U.S. and Canada.

“Jen was a remarkable person, colleague and friend, and her bravery had a profound effect on our company and its employees,” said Acciona Energy North America CEO Dan Fole. ““During her life, Jen accomplished so much personally and professionally. Big Smile Wind Farm at Dempsey Ridge will serve as one example of her great contribution to this planet.”

Above all, colleagues said they remembered her “ever-present and big smile,” as the company’s news release reported. Other descriptors that poured forth from former colleagues regarding the Wharton School of Business and MIT Sloan School of Management graduate: highly intelligent, hard working, always helpful, thoughtful, strong, graceful, confident, humble, and kind.

Donations in Jennifer Koop-Krass’s memory may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund or Rainbow Hospice.

By Carl Levesque, American Wind Energy Association Editor & Publications Manager, www.awea.org/blog