Board of Directors

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• Dr. Lon Bell

  Dr Lon Bell BSST LLC Lon E. Bell Ph.D. has been the President of BSST LLC, Amerigon Inc.'s research and development subsidiary, since September 2000. From Amerigon Inc.’s formation, Dr. Bell served as Director of Technology until 2000, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer until 1999, and President until 1997. Previously, Dr. Bell co-founded Technar Incorporated, which developed and manufactured automotive components. Dr. Bell served as Technar’s Chairman and President until selling majority ownership to TRW Inc. in 1986. Dr. Bell is a leading expert in the mass production of thermoelectric products. Dr. Bell continued managing Technar, then known as TRW Technar, as its President until 1991. He served as a Director since founding Amerigon Inc. in 1991, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1999. He has been a Member of Scientific Advisory Board of Nextreme Thermal Solutions, Inc. since June 22, 2006. He has authored more than 20 publications in the areas of thermodynamics of thermoelectric systems, automotive crash sensors, and other electronic and electromechanical devices. Five of Dr Bell's inventions have gone into mass production, and dominated their target markets. Dr. Bell received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 1962, a Master’s degree in Rocket Propulsion in 1963, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1968 from the California Institute of Technology.

• John Boesel, President and CEO

  John Boesel CALSTART President and CEO The public/private nature of CALSTART is reflected in John’s background.  Upon graduating from the University of California, Davis, in 1982, John worked in the California legislature as a legislative aide to then Assemblyman (now Congressman) Sam Farr.  In that position he managed energy and environmental legislation for nearly four years. He received his MBA from the Haas School at UC Berkeley in 1989.  After graduating from business school he worked as a commercial banker in Wells Fargo’s Corporate Headquarters building in San Francisco.  In 1993 John joined CALSTART as the Vice President of Technology Programs.  In 2001 the Board of Directors promoted him to the position of President and CEO. John serves on the Advisory Board for the Precourt Energy Efficiency Center at Stanford University and is also a board member of the Clean Vehicle Foundation.  John chaired the Vehicle Efficiency Subcommittee of the Western Governor’s Association Alternative Fuels Committee in 2007/2008.

• Paul DeMartini

  Paul DeMartini
  Southern California Edison
  
  

• John Formisano

  John E. Formisano FedEx Express John Formisano is Vice President, Global Vehicles of FedEx Express in Memphis, Tennessee.  In addition to managing the FedEx vehicle fleet mix, FedEx Global Vehicles is focused on the development of fuel-efficient vehicle models.  It pioneered the creation of hybrid vans in partnership with a diverse group of manufacturers such as Eaton Corporation, Isuzu and Iveco in 2003.  Since then, the hybrid-electric and electric truck fleet of 325 vehicles around the globe has covered more than five million miles of revenue service. Over his twenty-six year career at FedEx, he has held several operations management positions such as Vice President, Regional Operations and Vice President of Worldwide Ground Operations Planning & Support.  Prior to these positions, he was the Managing Director, District Operations/AAA; Managing Director, Regional Planning & Administration and managed several engineering divisions.  Before FedEx, he worked at Automatic Data Processing, Searle Medical Products, and the United Parcel Service.    He has been recognized with the FedEx Express Five Star Award, which recognizes team members who have enhanced service and profitability and exemplified the spirit of teamwork, in 2006, 2004, 1992, 1990.  It is one of the most prestigious FedEx awards.  In addition, he was also the recipient of the FedEx Express President’s Award in 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998.   He has been on the Board of Directors of CALSTART since 2005 and has held the Vice Chair Board Member role since 2007.  He is also on the Board of Safe Kids Worldwide, and he holds an M.B.A from Fairleigh Dickinson University and B.S. from Montclair State College.

• Dr. Michael Gallagher

  Dr. Mike Gallagher Westport Innovations Dr. Michael Gallagher was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Westport Innovations Inc. on October 29th, 2004. Dr. Gallagher obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and Master of Science degrees in both Engineering Economics Systems and Mechanical Engineering from Stanford, as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Physics/Math) from Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana. He is also a member of the Hydrogen Highway™ Steering Committee.

• Dr. Chung Liu

  Dr. Chung Liu South Coast Air Quality Management District Dr. Chung S. Liu is the Chief Scientist and Deputy Executive Officer for Science & Technology Advancement at the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Dr. Liu’s principle responsibilities are to identify, evaluate and stimulate development and commercialization of clean air technology. He provides guidance on air quality planning and strategy development, and also is responsible for programs on ambient monitoring, source testing and laboratory analysis. Dr. Liu received his B.S. in chemistry at Fu Jen University in Taiwan. He was awarded an M.S. in organic chemistry, an M.B.A. in finance and management science, and a doctorate in environmental science and engineering – all from UCLA. Before joining AQMD, Dr. Liu had five years of consulting experience in air pollution modeling and impact assessment. He was a member of a UCLA-based interdisciplinary research team that studied electric power generation options and combined-cycle cogeneration processes. He developed the first human exposure model assessing air toxic risks, on behalf of U.S. EPA in 1979, which was applied to over 800 facilities nationwide. Dr. Liu joined AQMD in 1981. He developed a photochemical and Gaussian computer modeling capability and established an impact assessment procedure for the agency. He also was instrumental in the 1981 and 1991 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) revisions. During the mid-80s he was responsible for completion of the regional air toxic risk assessment, which identified benzene and chromium VI as the most hazardous air carcinogens in the South Coast Air Basin at that time. Dr. Liu oversaw the AQMD’s source testing and ambient monitoring programs and directed its pollution research and analytical laboratory. He also led AQMD’s certification effort for continuous emissions monitoring systems. In 1995, he took over the function of Director of Planning and Policy, overseeing the 1997 revisions to the AQMP. His current assignment is to direct the Office of Science & Technology Advancement to bring innovative clean air technology into reality. The office is responsible for the Clean Fuel RD&D Program in advancing technologies related to fuel cells, hydrogen, alternative fueled engines, PM and NOx retrofits, hybrid vehicles, and gas-to-liquid fuel; Technology Deployment Incentive Programs including the Carl Moyer Program, Low-Emitting School Bus Program, State ZEV Incentive Program, Air Quality Investment Program, program support for the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee Program (MSRC), and the State Emission Mitigation Program; SCAQMD fleet rule support implementation, source testing, ambient monitoring and chemistry laboratory analyses. Dr. Liu has authored over 75 publications in air quality model simulation, risk assessment, control strategy formulation and technology advancement. Currently Dr. Liu serves on the Board of WestStart/CALSTART, the California Air Resources Board Research Screening Committee, UCLA Supersite Program Advisory Committee, University of California at Davis Institute of Transportation Studies Advisory Board, Department of Energy Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel, and California Air Pollution Control Officers Association Mobile Source & Fuels Committee.

• Fred Hansen

  Fred Hansen TriMet Mr. Hansen is the General Manager of the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet). He has been serving in this position since October 5, 1998. Mr. Hansen has extensive experience in public service. Before coming to Tri-Met, he served for four years as Deputy Administrator for the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D. C., where he managed EPA’s day-to-day operations and was involved in all major policy issues. Before joining the EPA, Mr. Hansen directed the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for more than ten years. He also served as Oregon’s Deputy State Treasurer as well as previous stints in Washington, D. C., where he worked as Executive Officer of the Peace Corps and Chief of Staff to a member of Congress from Oregon. Mr. Hansen grew up in Beaverton, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Oregon, has a master’s degree from McMaster University and completed a year of doctoral work at The Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Hansen likes to practice what he preaches. While working in Washington, D. C. for the EPA, he chose not to bring his car to the nation's capital and instead relied on transit. Now he rides the bus to work from his home in northwest Portland to Tri-Met’s southeast Portland offices. Mr. Hansen is married to the Honorable Joyce E. Cohen, former Oregon senator and now assistant to Governor Kitzhaber on environmental issues and other governmental policies.

• Alan Niedzwiecki

  Alan Niedzwiecki QUANTUM Technologies Mr. Niedzwiecki is President and CEO of QUANTUM Technologies. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer in August of 2002 and has been serving as President since February of 2002. Prior to this, Mr. Niedzwiecki had served as Chief Operating Officer, and also served as the Executive Director of Business Development of QUANTUM Technologies. Prior to joining QUANTUM in October 0f 1999, Mr. Niedzwiecki was President and CEO of NGV Corporation, an engineering and marketing/commercialization consulting company. In this capacity, he worked with companies and organizations such as Shell, World Bank, EDO Aerospace, Dynetek Industries, and over 100 natural gas utility companies. Mr. Niedzwiecki brings more than 25 years of experience in the alternative fuels industry in product/technology development and commercialization relating to mobile, stationary power generation, and refueling infrastructure solutions. QUANTUM designs, manufactures and supplies components and integrated fuel systems to original equipment manufacturers for use in alternative fuel vehicles, fuel cell applications, and hydrogen refueling systems. These fuel cell applications include transportation and industrial vehicles, and stationary and portable power generation. QUANTUM's advanced fuel systems comprise the fuel storage, fuel metering, control, and injection of gaseous fuels to improve efficiency, enhance power output, and optimize emissions from fuel cell applications and internal combustion engines that operate on natural gas, propane, or hydrogen. QUANTUM trades on Nasdaq, ticker symbol QTWW.

• Sanjay Rishi

  
  
  
       
  
   

• Ehtisham Siddiqui

  Ehtisham Siddiqui BAE Systems Since 2006, Dr. Siddiqui has been responsible for BAE’s strategic planning and business development for Platform Solutions, a $1.5 billion transatlantic line of business within the Electronics and Integrated Solutions (E&IS) Operating Group of BAE Systems. Platform Solutions serves the defense and aerospace communities with capabilities and products that improve operational safety and enhance mission effectiveness. The business supports a wide range of military and commercial platforms — including fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, ground vehicles, and unmanned vehicles—with capabilities in vehicle management, human-machine interface, precision guidance, and power management. Platform Solutions designs and produces fly-by-wire flight controls; full-authority digital engine controls; cockpit, head-up, and helmet-mounted displays; autopilots, pilot sticks, and inceptors; unmanned air vehicles; hybrid electric propulsion systems; vehicle power management systems; data distribution and flight-deck systems; and inertial sensors. Prior to this appointment, Dr Siddiqui served as vice president of Strategic Development for the same group in New York, where he was in charge of mergers and acquisitions as well as strategic planning. A registered professional engineer, Dr. Siddiqui began his distinguished career in 1979 at GE Aerospace in Erie, PA, working in a variety of technical positions before being appointed manager of Electrical Systems Engineering in 1984. Transferring to GE Aircraft Engines in 1987, he became manager of Hypersonic Propulsion Marketing and later manager of R&D and Technology Planning. In 1990 he was promoted to director of Business Development for GE Aircraft Controls, which later became part of E&IS. In 1995, Dr. Siddiqui was appointed Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Sanders’ Avionics Division which provides advanced electronic subsystems for aircraft and space applications.

• Paul Smith

  Paul Smith
  New Flyer Industries, Ltd.

• George Survant

  George Survant Florida Power and Light Mr. Survant is Director of Fleet Services for FP&L, managing the company's 3,600 vehicle fleet. He brings significant real-world expertise in vehicle and fleet operations, certification, testing and maintenance. Mr. Survant has been a leader among fleet managers nationwide in helping to commercialize advanced vehicle technologies. His insights on how to accelerate fleet acceptance of clean and energy efficient vehicles will be extremely valuable to our organization. For the past four years Mr. Survant has served as the chair of the Utility Working Group of WestStart’s Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF). This HTUF group has launched a comprehensive pilot program to assess the performance of heavy-duty hybrids in some of the nation's largest utility fleets. Mr. Survant played a principal role in recruiting utilities to the HTUF program and guiding the utility effort. In 2004 he was awarded a Blue Sky Leadership Award recognizing his visionary leadership in helping move heavy-duty hybrid technology into the marketplace for utility service truck.

• William Zobel

  William A. (Bill) Zobel Trillium USA Mr. William A. (Bill) Zobel is manager of Sempra Utilities Clean Transportation programs.  Sempra Utilities comprises both San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas).  Bill is responsible for the development and execution of Sempra’s Clean Transportation business plan which includes the promotion and demonstration of both natural gas and electric vehicle drive technologies.     Prior to this assignment, Bill was corporate manager of California legislative policy for Sempra Energy, responsible for energy, environmental and climate change policy, and managing the company’s Political Action Committees (PACs). Bill has 22 years of experience in the energy sector ranging from energy and environmental policy, to plant operations, process design and research.  Before joining Sempra Energy, Bill was the director of strategy and business analysis for BP’s North American President.  Following BP’s merger with ARCO, he helped establish BP’s west coast and national presence.    With ARCO, Bill had a successful career serving in a variety of management roles.  He was instrumental in promoting and influencing landmark regulatory programs including RECLAIM - the Nations first multi-pollutant emissions trading program - and the AB-2588 Air Toxic Hot-Spots program.      Bill has long history of public service and volunteerism.  He is and has served in leadership positions on a variety of non-profit boards, foundations, and trade associations.  He currently serves as a board member of NGV America, the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, and the California Electric Transportation Coalition.  He has served as Chairman of the California Manufacturers and Technology association’s committee on environmental quality, vice-chairman of the Conservation Corps of Long Beach, and vice chairman of the Moonlight Cultural Foundation.  He continues to be an active member of both the Pacific International Council and the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance.   Bill holds a bachelors of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, and has attended Columbia University’s executive business program.  Bill is married to his wife Sylvia and has two children, Kyle and Christopher.