Richard Heath & Associates has been acquired by Resource Innovations. RHA image

A 50-year-old Fresno business that focused on efficiency during the 1970s energy crisis — and continues that mission today — has been acquired.

Richard Heath & Associates, Inc. has been acquired by Half Moon Bay-based Resource Innovations, which describes itself as a “leading tech-enabled services company focused on energy efficiency and sustainability.”

Lauren Casentini, Resource Innovations founder and CEO, will work closely with Richard Heath & Associates CEO Cynthia Rafferty, who will now serve as president of Richard Heath & Associates, according to a news release.

Richard Heath originally founded his namesake company in 1974 to offer executive consulting, but found a niche in the development of energy efficiency strategies. In 1979 Heath partnered with James O’Bannon, an award-winning engineering professor, who led efforts to develop energy efficiency technology.  

With a team of more than 40 today, Richard Heath & Associates pioneered the first energy efficiency and sustainability programs for underserved populations in California. It has a statewide network of contractors and community partners finding way to help millions of families and businesses lower their utility bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with RHA since the early days of my career and have seen firsthand the positive impact that their passionate team delivers to hard-to-reach communities,” said Casentini. “Adding their specialized expertise to RI’s offerings will provide our utility, government, and corporate clients unmatched depth to deliver energy efficiency, climate resilience, and public health and safety services to the communities that need them the most.”

Together with Richard Heath & Associates, Resource Innovations will expand its team to more than 1,100 professionals, broadening expertise and offering clients additional solutions in energy storage and resiliency, water conservation, community engagement and workforce development.

“Resource Innovations’ mission-driven culture aligns with the passion of our clients and staff to help underserved communities achieve energy resilience and improved health outcomes,” said Rafferty. “Together, we look forward to scaling existing programs and increasing our collective impact.”

Resource Innovations bills itself as a women-led energy transformation firm focused on impact with a portfolio of clean energy solutions to guide utilities through increasingly complex, connected challenges. Founded in 2016, it is a portfolio company of Morgan Stanley Capital Partners.