Nick Lowery, Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer, to

PHOENIX, Nov. 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2014 National Conference of the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) will kick off with a powerful presentation by motivational speaker and Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer, Nick Lowery.

Lowery's message is that focus, passion and purpose are the crucial qualities that distinguish champions both on and off the field. By the time Lowery joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 1980, he had been cut 11 times from eight NFL teams. Yet he beat out the greatest kicker at that time, overcoming what most would consider major career setbacks to go on to become the most accurate and prolific kicker in NFL history.

Off the field, he is the first professional athlete to graduate with a master's degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He also worked in the White House for four presidents, and in the senate for four senators. Attendees will learn how to overcome self-doubt, indecision, pressure and failure, and make it work for their own circumstances.

"Saving energy and sustaining behavioral change are critical objectives of the energy efficiency industry. The landscape is constantly changing which often poses many challenges," says Meg Matt, president and CEO of AESP. "We believe Mr. Lowery's message of persistence and focus is very timely, both as it relates to our members' work and their personal lives."

AESP is a nonprofit association with members from electric and gas utilities, consultants, manufacturers and policymakers in the energy efficiency industry, who are dedicated to creating and implementing programs that save energy and reduce demand on the power grid. This annual conference attracts over 700 of the nation's thought leaders and top professionals in energy efficiency. More than 100 speakers are slated to present in over 60 sessions on demand-side management, marketing, implementation, evaluation, policy, technology and research. More information is available at aesp.org.

The Association of Energy Services Professionals ( www.aesp.org ) provides professional development programs, a network of energy practitioners, and promotes the transfer of knowledge and experience. Our members work in the energy services industry and represent electric and natural gas utilities, public benefits associations, regulatory and non-profit entities, vendors, manufacturers and consulting firms. Founded in 1989, AESP is a member-based association dedicated to improving the delivery and implementation of energy efficiency, energy management and distributed renewable resources. AESP provides professional development programs, a network of energy practitioners, and promotes the transfer of knowledge and experience.

David Harrison 410-804-1728