Rachael Ruelas

About Rachael Ruelas

Please visit me at RachaelRuelas.com to read my bio and learn more about my work and future goals.In my current role as Senior Portfolio Energy and Sustainability Manager for JLL, I support a nonprofit healthcare system that includes over 440 sites across more than 100 communities. In this role I develop and implement energy and sustainability strategies, plan and execute projects, drive operational efficiency, manage data, measure and report on energy efficiency projects, and collaborate cross-functionally with client representatives and third-party service providers. In my prior role as Energy Manager for PetSmart, North America\'s largest brick and mortar pet specialty retailer, I kept the lights on and registers ringing at more than 1650 stores. I was responsible for utility account management, bill payment, energy procurement, and store climate across US and Canada stores, seven distribution centers, and the home office. I developed and managed the energy budget for the enterprise. My smart, well-timed energy procurement decisions saved millions of expense dollars and provided hundreds of thousands more in cost avoidance.I led teams to solve problems such as coping with Energy Management System (EMS) hardware obsolescence and replacement part scarcity, IT network security and firewall safety as it relates to energy data and user access, Facilities Maintenance & Repair budget limitations, and proactive equipment replacement prioritization. In 2018 I sourced, negotiated, and contracted a new energy services and data analytics partner that provides more sophisticated, data-driven strategy at an exceptional value, bringing both quantitative fiscal benefit and vastly improved customer service for our team. I also transitioned Utility Bill Management providers, enhancing accuracy and reporting capabilities.Communication and collaboration are critical skills which I use daily to work successfully with vendors and service partners, utility representatives, retail energy suppliers, industry peers and thought leaders, and the executives within my own business. I can easily identify issues, analyze complex data sets, discern possible solutions, and explain complex energy concepts to laypeople resolving any confusion. I use diplomacy and respect to resolve healthy conflict into consensus within a team and act quickly and courageously toward resolution.

Experience

1. Senior Portfolio Energy & Sustainability Manager

   JLL

   Jul 2024 — Present · Phoenix, AZ, US

   Support development and execution of client energy and/or sustainability strategy• Implement and manage energy and sustainability programs to achieve client environmental objectives• Drive operational efficiencies though the identification and implementation of opportunities to improve energy and sustainability performance across client real estate portfolios• Manage the energy data collection process and produce monthly and quarterly reports that are tailored to meet our clients’ specific requirements• Provide regular insight into client use of utilities and carbon emissions including the impact on the internal and external factors• Engage with facility managers, energy champions, and account colleagues as they key point of contact for the provision of wide-ranging advice in relation to all aspects of environmental sustainability• Collaborate with other JLL Sustainable Operations and Sustainable Strategies team members to share best practices, develop case studies, and pursue new business opportunities• Develop and enhance systems and processes for delivering best practice sustainability performance and use of utility/sustainability management systems for monitoring and/or reporting purposes• Support client corporate reporting objectives, external disclosure, and requests for information

Education

• Columbus State Community College

  Associate of Arts, Humanities

• Arizona State University

  Bachelor of Science, Communication, with a minor in Sustainabilty

Skills

• Customer Service
• Training
• Process Improvement
• Microsoft Office
• Written Communication
• Blogging
• Team Building
• Analysis
• Technical Writing
• Social Media
• Procurement
• Public Speaking
• Retail