Coming to an Association Near You ...
March 22, 2010
That's our goal, anyways.
First, a bit of background. You may or may not know that we recently started offering our residential-utility initiative. The program helps residential account holders both lower their current utility rates, and then guarantee those rates for a set period of time. We also offer "green" power packages.
Well, Electric Advisors has been doing the same thing for commercial account holders (business owners, commercial property owners, etc.) for more than 4 years now. On the commercial side, we act as a broker for several power and natural-gas suppliers, which means we can "shop" a company's energy needs among that network to secure our clients the best deal for them. As with our residential program, there's no extra charge for our services.
Our years of experience in commercial utility-rate negotiation is one of the many reasons why you should use EA as your facilitator in choosing an alternative utility for your electricity and/or natural-gas services at home.
To that end, we've recently launched an affinity program for various chambers of commerce, industry-specific associations, and philanthropic groups in DC, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Generally speaking, these agreements allow EA to become the preferred energy provider for members of these groups -- both commercial and residential.
We used to conduct these programs only on the commercial side of the utility "equation," if you will. But with our recently launched residential initiative, we can now serve both businesses and the individuals who belong to these types of organizations. We can also offer our services to a member company's employees -- think of it as an added benefit that an employer can offer, at absolutely no charge to the company or its employees.
What's really nice about our affinity program is that all sides truly win: the members win through reducing/guaranteeing their utility rates, the associations win through a revenue share with each deal signed, and EA wins with new clients being served. Truly, no one loses out.
We've had such an agreement on the electricity side with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington for more than a year now. More recently, we signed our first chamber -- the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce. And just last week, our second chamber came on board: the Olney Chamber of Commerce.
Besides revenue sharing, there are many other ways that chambers and non-profits can benefit from our affinity program. And as of now, we are speaking with other chambers and business-related non-profits about bringing them on-board. This concept is about ready to really take off in the mid-Atlantic.
Know of a group that could benefit from an affinity partnership? Please contact me, Vice President of Business Development Bob Woods, by either e-mail or by calling me at 240-482-8276. You can also use the Contact form on our About page to drop me a note (scroll to the bottom of the page for it).
This is just one of the ways we are spreading the word about utility choice to the residential market. If I recall correctly, only 6% of residences in Maryland have selected an alternative utility supplier. That means we've got a lot of work to do. Hopefully we'll have some fine associations and non-profits to join us along the way.
Every golfer has a round they remember. It might be a personal best, a long putt that somehow found the cup, or a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway. For me, the most meaningful round has less to do with my score and more to do with the people gathered around the first tee. That round is the Purple Tee Classic. On Thursday, September 17, 2026 , Metro Bethesda Rotary will host the 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic at Whiskey Creek , with a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start. This will be my third year leading the tournament, and my final year in that leadership role. That makes this year especially meaningful to me. More Than a Golf Tournament The Purple Tee Classic is a day of golf, but it is really about much more than a day on the course. It brings together business owners, community members, Rotarians, friends, families, veterans, and first responders around a shared purpose. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders, people who have served, protected, and supported our communities in ways most of us will never fully understand. Golf gives us the setting. Service gives the day its meaning. That is what I value most about Rotary. The organization creates opportunities for people to put relationships, resources, and time to work for something larger than themselves. The Rotary principle of “Service Above Self” is not just a phrase. It is something we are asked to live out by showing up, contributing, and following through. The Purple Tee Classic is one of the clearest examples of that principle in action. Why This Final Year Matters Leading a tournament like this takes more than setting a tee time and asking people to come out and play. It takes planning, coordination, communication, fundraising, and a team willing to handle the many details most participants will never see. That is one of the biggest things I want to say clearly this year: this event is absolutely a team effort. The Metro Bethesda Rotary members involved in this committee do a tremendous amount behind the scenes. They help plan, coordinate, communicate, recruit sponsors and players, and keep things moving in all the ways that make an event like this possible. A lot of that work is not flashy. It is steady, thoughtful, behind-the-scenes effort that helps turn a good idea into a real event that serves real people. I have been fortunate to work alongside fellow Rotary members who care deeply about Rotary’s mission and the causes the tournament supports. I am genuinely grateful for their time, commitment, and willingness to do the work that needs to get done. Events like this do not come together because of one person. They come together because a group of committed people keeps showing up and doing their part. It also takes the support of a broader community. Over the past three years, I have seen how a simple invitation, to play a round of golf or contribute an auction item, can become part of a much larger effort. As I prepare for my final year leading the Purple Tee, I am thinking less about the fact that my leadership role is ending and more about what I hope continues. I hope the tournament continues to bring people together. I hope new sponsors and players discover the value of supporting a community event with a clear purpose. And I hope every participant leaves Whiskey Creek remembering that the best part of the day was never just the golf. It was the difference we helped make by showing up. How You Can Help There are several ways to support this milestone event: Become a tournament sponsor. Help strengthen the event while putting your organization in front of an engaged local community. Register a foursome . Bring colleagues, friends, clients, or family members for a meaningful day on the course. Sponsor a veteran or first responder. Help someone enjoy a round of golf and participate in the Purple Tee experience. Donate an item or experience. Raffle and auction contributions add energy to the day and help expand the event’s fundraising potential. Every form of participation matters. Not everyone can sponsor at the same level, and not everyone plays golf. But everyone can consider whether they, or someone they know, might be able to help. Key Takeaways The 20th Annual Purple Tee Classic will take place at Whiskey Creek on September 17, 2026. This is my third year leading the tournament and my final year in that leadership role. The fundraiser supports veterans and first responders. Sponsors, foursomes, individual player support, and donated auction or raffle items are all important. Rotary has given me the opportunity to serve with people who care about their community and are willing to turn good intentions into action. I am grateful for that opportunity, grateful for the people I get to work alongside, and determined to make this final year leading the Purple Tee Classic a memorable one. If you would like to support the event, please visit purpletee.fundraiser.bid . You can also message me directly if you are interested or know someone who may want to help. One last round in this leadership role. One more opportunity to bring people together. And one more chance to support the veterans and first responders who deserve our gratitude.
Your guide to Energy Incentives for Maryland is here
For most business owners, the monthly utility bill is just another line item to be paid and filed away. You glance at the total, ensure it isn't astronomically higher than last month, and move on. But in 2026, with energy markets facing unprecedented volatility and complex new tariff structures, that "glance and pay" strategy is costing American businesses billions in overpayments. The good news? You don’t have to just accept these costs as the price of doing business. Everyone is talking about utility bill audits because they have transitioned from a "nice-to-have" occasional check to a critical financial strategy. At Electric Advisors, Inc., we’ve seen firsthand how a meticulous review of historical invoices can uncover significant refunds and permanent rate reductions.