By Alex Paset
When Charlie Carpenter first became a ComEd Energy Force ambassador, he was nervous. He had been trying to master a set of messages on energy efficiency so when he met ComEd customers at community events, he could persuade them it was worth their time and money to adopt efficiency measures.
With experience and encouragement from his job coach, Jason Reis, that anxiety eventually turned into confidence and empowerment.
Charlie Carpenter (Ambassador) & Jason Reis (Job Coach)
Charlie’s journey is common among ambassadors, as reflected in testimonials at a September event at Misericordia. Ambassadors were joined by job coaches, program leaders and nonprofit partners to celebrate the program’s 15th anniversary, a milestone that is especially meaningful as October marks National Disability Employment Month.
The Energy Force Program is the first energy-efficiency education initiative led by people with developmental disabilities. Through year-round training and support, ambassadors develop communication, workplace and leadership skills. They apply those skills by attending public events like Switch-on-Summer, where they educate customers about energy efficiency and clean energy. Since 2012, hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities have gained valuable employment opportunities through the program. At the same time, those ambassadors have helped hundreds of thousands of ComEd customers navigate their energy choices.
Building confidence through experience
Like anyone starting a new role, Charlie needed time to become comfortable with his responsibilities and engaging with customers.
For Jason Reis, watching that growth is one of the most rewarding parts of serving as a job coach.
“I’ve seen Charlie go from asking a dozen questions, to being an expert in energy-saving tips,” said Reis. “And now he’s the first person that new ambassadors turn to with questions.”
Trace Nardi speaks to audience of ComEd and Exelon employees, fellow Energy Force Ambassadors, nonprofit partners from across northern Illinois, and public officials who support the communities served by the program
Trace Nardi is an Energy Force ambassador from Best Buddies, an international organization dedicated to connecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with employment opportunities, friendships and family support. He has seen how the support provided through Energy Force helps ambassadors succeed.
“What makes it life-changing is the people who support you along the journey,” Nardi said. “That makes it a lot more impactful. You have people who support you and want you to succeed more than anything.”
Daniel Smrokowski, who has served as an Energy Force ambassador for nine years, has embraced a new sense of belonging through his work.
“My favorite part of the program is being able to work alongside people without disabilities,” said Smrokowski, who has gained so much confidence in his communication abilities, he founded his own podcast.
Creating a program from the ground up
Energy Force started as an idea. Paula Conrad, vice president of corporate relations for Exelon, wanted to create opportunities for her niece and nephew, who have Down syndrome. She wondered whether there was a way to incorporate them into the efforts by Exelon and ComEd to reach customers and educate them about programs that save energy and lower bills.
Conrad shared the idea with a colleague, who loved it and offered to help with the research.
Paula Conrad & Michelle Ptaszek receive the Founder Recognition Award
“We started looking around to replicate a program already in existence,” said Conrad. “And we couldn’t find anything around the country or the world where people with disabilities were teaching others about energy usage.”
So they started, as Conrad says, “from the ground up.” Before long they had attracted eight nonprofit partners. In the years since, that number has grown to include 30 organizations across northern Illinois.
In 2025 alone, Energy Force ambassadors participated in more than 280 outreach events and connected with 50,000 customers.
Continuing the Energy Force legacy
Today, ambassadors continue to bring the program’s original vision to life.
ComEd customers can expect to meet an ambassador at any of the following events:
- Global Connections at Navy Pier
- Taste of Orland Park
- Holiday Lights Attractions at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, The Morton Arboretum, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Chicago Botanic Garden
Applications for partner organizations to participate in the 2027 Energy Force Ambassador Program opened Sept. 28 and will close Oct. 30. Visit the ComEd Energy Force Ambassador Program webpage to learn more.
