Adventist Health and Bernhard Announce Groundbreaking Energy-as-a-Service Partnership

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Adventist Health has entered into a 30-year Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) partnership, with Bernhard to deliver and sustain a system-wide innovative energy transformation project. The partnership with Bernhard, North America’s largest turnkey EaaS provider, is highlighted by an approximately 20% guaranteed reduction in Adventist Health’s annual utility spend, significant advancements in the system’s decarbonization efforts, and a material increase in reliability and resiliency across the network.

“Partnering with Bernhard aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire health, wholeness, and hope,” said John Beaman, Chief Financial Officer, Adventist Health. “The significant cost savings and environmental benefits we will realize through this initiative allow us to reinvest in our core mission-focused initiatives, ultimately enhancing the care we provide to our communities.”

The partnership, which is the largest Energy-as-a-Service project on record in United States history, involves $457 Million of upfront consideration; proceeds will be reinvested in energy-related infrastructure improvements systemwide. Bernhard will support Adventist as a long-term partner to optimally and most efficiently operate and maintain the new and existing energy assets. The guaranteed utility cost savings as a result of the program will offset implementation costs.

“This framework is a revolutionary solution to the healthcare industry that provides benefits in energy cost savings, reduced carbon emissions and improved resiliency of our infrastructure to support patient care and support future strategic growth,” said Brandon Seibold, Senior Finance Officer and Treasurer, Adventist Health.

The partnership with Bernhard will facilitate significant enhancements to Adventist Health’s sustainability efforts systemwide. Adventist Health Glendale, for example, will recognize a 61.1% reduction in purchased electricity and a 63.7% reduction in Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are thrilled to partner with Adventist Health on this historic Energy-as-a-Service project,” said Rob Guthrie, Chief Executive Officer, Bernhard. “This collaboration not only underscores our commitment to delivering comprehensive energy solutions but also sets a new benchmark for the healthcare sector in energy efficiency and sustainability.”

The improvements across the Adventist Health campuses are expected to be completed within five years.

Bernhard Announces CEO Transition as Rob Guthrie Steps into Leadership Role

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Bernhard, a leading Energy Infrastructure firm with more than a century of experience in the U.S., proudly announces Rob Guthrie’s transition to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Ed Tinsley, who has successfully led the company as CEO since 2018, will take on a new role within Bernhard as Senior Advisor and Board Member.

Under Tinsley’s leadership, Bernhard has seen substantial growth, cementing its status as the foremost Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) provider in the United States, particularly in the healthcare and higher education sectors. His tenure has been marked by numerous milestones, including:

  • The creation of safer workspaces surpassing industry standards.
  • Increasing our customer’s accumulated carbon footprint reductions from 8,000 tons of GHG emissions in 2018 to nearly 400,000 tons by the end of 2023.
  • Financial growth of a 310% increase in earnings, equating to a 25% annual growth rate.
  • Substantial growth in the EaaS sector, achieving a compounded annual growth rate of 45% from 2017 to 2023.

Tinsley will focus on mentoring employees and collaborating closely with clients to develop innovative energy solutions.

“Leading Bernhard has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has achieved, particularly our significant strides in safety, DEI, business resiliency, culture, and sustainability while simultaneously realizing substantial growth.” Tinsley said. “I look forward to continuing to contribute to Bernhard’s success in my new role.”

Rob Guthrie, who has been serving as Bernhard’s Chief Development Officer and CEO-in-waiting since 2021, steps into the CEO role with more than 20 years of industry experience. Guthrie has been instrumental in steering Bernhard towards its long-term vision, focusing on operational savings, growing Bernhard’s EaaS portfolio, and fostering more than 100 years of energy and infrastructure project experience. His leadership is expected to continue Bernhard’s legacy of innovation and sustainability.

“I’m honored to step into the CEO role at Bernhard, especially at such a pivotal moment in our company’s history,” Guthrie said. “Ed Tinsley’s leadership has set a high standard, and I am committed to building on our successes and driving forward our vision of innovation and sustainable energy solutions.”

Bernhard has a long history as a pacesetter in the ever-changing energy services industry, bolstered by the in-house expertise to deliver the right solution for customer needs. As an integrated team, Bernhard has the unique ability to self-perform every facet of a project in turnkey fashion. With approximately 2,200 employees across more than 20 office locations, Bernhard has financed over $1.7 billion in EaaS partnerships, leading the industry in the upcoming energy transition.

“Our financial growth and continued expansion has positioned Bernhard as a national leader in the energy and infrastructure space,” Guthrie said. “Such progress is a testament to the values of our people, the strength of our solutions, and the quality of our customer relationships.  I could not be more excited to grow and protect the Bernhard legacy over the course of our next chapter”

About Bernhard

Bernhard is an energy infrastructure firm headquartered in New Orleans, LA. Founded in 1919, Bernhard’s core services span the US and include engineering, fabrication, construction, asset management, and energy-as-a-service for customers in healthcare, higher education, hospitality, industrial, and other market segments. Bernhard has more than 20 U.S. offices and more than 2,200 full-time employees.