John Ragonese has been awarded the 2024 Dr. Kenneth Henwood Award by the National Hydropower Association (NHA). The award recognizes individuals for their long-standing commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community in the hydropower industry. Ragonese received the honour from Alvin Thoma, the 2023 award recipient, during the NHA’s Clean Currents Conference and Trade Show in Portland, Oregon.
Ragonese, a University of New Hampshire graduate, has worked in the hydropower industry for over 40 years, most recently with Great River Hydro, a company providing hydroelectricity across New England. Before his career in hydropower, he worked for the US. Forest Service and briefly produced shows for musical acts including Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, and Bonnie Raitt. His late father, Carmen, influenced his work ethic and passion for people, shaping a successful career.
Throughout his career, Ragonese has focused on building community and fostering cooperation among diverse stakeholders. In the 1990s, he played a key role in negotiating with local boating representatives during the relicensing of the Deerfield River Project in Vermont and Massachusetts, improving relations between the hydropower industry and whitewater enthusiasts. He also helped found the Hydropower Public Safety Interest Group, which created guidelines for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s public safety program. Additionally, Ragonese advanced the use of digital technology in collaboration with federal regulators, contributing to the development of the first digital Emergency Action Plan submitted to FERC by a licensee. This effort improved local first responders’ evacuation plans.
Outside of work, Ragonese is dedicated to his family and community. He lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his wife Linda, a public-school teacher, and their son Jackson. In his free time, he enjoys saltwater fishing, spending time in his 40-acre woodlot, and coaching youth soccer, a role he has held for 25 years. He is also a board member of the United Sports Foundation, an organization focused on increasing access to competitive sports and awarding college scholarships.
The NHA congratulated Ragonese, his family, and Great River Hydro on the Henwood Award recognition.
