Staff Directory

STAFF DIRECTORY

Staff Directory

Yesewlik "Leo" Ayalew, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Leo is the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of CALSTART. As CFO, he is responsible for overall financial management of the company including human resources, information system technology and contracts.

As CFO, Leo revamped the organization’s financial and administrative management functions by establishing financial and operational procedures, controlling costs, automating systems and maximizing productivity resulting in a stronger financial position.

Leo has also brought an extensive knowledge and experience in government contract compliance, human resources and information system technology.

Prior joining CALSTART, Leo was one of the principals and president of Accounting & Management Consultants, Inc. in Beverly Hills and Westlake Village providing financial and operational consulting services to firms with revenue in excess of $100 million in revenue.

With more than 28 years of extensive experience in financial management, Leo has successfully assisted financially troubled firms helping them identify operational and financial problems and developing and implementing procedures and processes to control costs, negotiate and restructure debt, resulting in financial viable companies. He has also served in various capacities for numerous non-profit organizations on a voluntary basis.

Leo received Bachelor of Administrative Science (BAS) in Accounting from Guilford College, North Carolina. After one year graduate study in public affairs and finance in North Carolina, he married his college sweetheart and moved to California where he received MBA in Finance and Taxation from Golden Gate University.

Leo, who is an endurance cyclist, enjoys road cycling in his spare time. In 2005, he received the Larry Schwartz award medal from Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA) in a Year-Rounder Challenge. He completed 1,539 miles in 15 rides of a hundred-miler in that challenge, supported by his lovely wife, Bea.

Kevin Beaty, Vice President and HTUF Director

	Kevin Beaty, Vice President & HTUF Director, CALSTART Kevin Beaty joined CALSTART as Vice President and HTUF Director in September 2012. His focus at CALSTART is the accelerated adoption of clean transportation technologies in commercial vehicle fleets. Prior to CALSTART, Beaty joined Eaton in March 2000 as Business Unit Manager leading the development and commercialization of Eaton’s hybrid electric business. Prior to Eaton, Kevin held several general management roles related to natural gas engines, vehicles, and controls at Woodward, NaturalFuels Corp, and Southwest Research Institute. Kevin has worked as an engineer and business leader in the clean energy transportation field for more than 20 years. He has successfully led innovative growth businesses in consulting, start-up, non-profit, technology and corporate environments. He holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Michigan State University. email: kbeaty@calstart.org

Ted Bloch-Rubin, Associate Project Manager

	Ted Bloch-Rubin is an Associate Project Manager. Ted is providing technical support for the teams working on the Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicle comparison in Los Angeles, CA, the Hybrid Electric Shuttle Bus demonstrations in Tracy, CA and Monterey, CA as well as the 6T Lithium-Ion battery commercialization project with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). Prior to joining CALSTART, Ted interned with the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He also completed a co-op work program with the Spacecraft Engineering Division at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. Ted has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland-College Park. email: tbloch-rubin@calstart.org

John Boesel, President and CEO

	John Boesel is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CALSTART. 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 (PEEC) at Stanford University and is also a board member of the Clean Vehicle Foundation.

Tom Brotherton, Regional Director

	Tom is responsible for program management of CALSTART’s US Army contract, Technical Advisory Committee, as well as business development and membership outreach. Tom currently manages technology development projects funded through the US Army's National Automotive Center and the Federal Transit Administration. Tom works from CALSTART's Denver office. Tom was Deputy Director of the Colorado Office of Energy Conservation for 10 years, and was responsible for all technical and engineering projects, analysis of energy policy, and constituency outreach. Program areas included alternative fuels, utility restructuring, demand-side management, residential and commercial building energy conservation, renewable energy, and recycling. Tom developed the Colorado Alternative Fuels Rebate Program to build demand for advanced alternative fuel vehicles in Colorado. Tom has also taught Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado-Boulder, and worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Architecture-Engineering firms. Tom has a BSE in Civil Engineering from Princeton (1982), and a MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado-Boulder (1986). He is a registered Professional Engineer in Colorado. email: tbrother@calstart.org

Mary Kathryn Campbell, Project Manager

	As a Project Manager: Marketing and Communications, MK works with the communications and marketing team to educate and conduct outreach to industry, government and other stakeholders in the clean transportation and transit sectors. Prior to joining the distinguished team at CALSTART, MK served as a Co-Director of the Renewable Energy Policy Project, as an Acquisitions Editor for The McGraw-Hill Companies, in Washington, DC, as a Special Projects Editor for The Times Mirror Company and as Database Editor for the Center for Energy & Environmental Management (CEEM) in Fairfax, VA. She has written for, edited and managed the publication of articles, books, newsletters, and reports covering business management, international standardization, renewable energy and sustainable technology. She holds a Bachelors degree in Creative Writing from George Mason University. MK lives in LA, with her family. email: mkcampbell@calstart.org

Margaret De Guzman, Human Resources/Payroll Officer

	Margaret is responsible for processing CALSTART payroll and maintenance of personnel/payroll files. In addition, Margaret is responsible for administrating company benefits such as insurance, dental, COBRA, and other special benefits offered by CALSTART. She handles wide-ranging interactions with employees in regard to all payroll/insurance inquiries. Margaret's other duties include but are not limited to actual budget reporting, posting, and updating, as well as preparation of quarterly reports. Margaret has extensive years of work experience in administration in legal environments, finance accounting, and secretarial experience. She acquired a degree in Business Administration, H&R Management. email: mguzman@calstart.org

Jean-Baptiste Gallo, Project Engineer

Jamie Hall, Policy Director

Michael Ippoliti, Director Clean Transportation Solutions Group

Deborah Islam, Staff Accountant

	Deborah is responsible for budgeting, account coding, monthly/quarterly/year end closing, grant/contracts management, fiscal reporting and other accounting duties at CALSTART. Deborah’s work experience has centered mainly in the non-profit sector. Her educational background includes a bachelor degree in business administration, an associate in accounting and small business management, computer network management certificates and experience as a computer instructor. email: dislam@calstart.org

David Kantor, Senior Project Manager

	David is CALSTART’s Deputy Project Manager for the California Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). He also manages the HTUF Hybrid Refuse Truck Working Group and the EPA’s DERA Region II Aerodynamics project. In the past, David has authored reports on Bus Rapid Transit, co-organized multiple projects in hydraulic hybrid technology, managed a hydrogen infrastructure project, as well as a web site for alternative fuels. He has also supported projects in advanced energy storage and alternative transportation. David obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis, MO and a Master’s of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University, where he studied environmental planning and analyzed brownfield redevelopment policy in the states of New York and New Jersey. email: dkantor@calstart.org

Virginia Ochoa, Office Administrator

Andrew Papson, Project Manager

	Andrew Papson is a transportation and environmental engineer with seven years of experience in transportation fuel economy, emissions, and alternative fuels, encompassing both passenger and freight movement. He has focused on transportation environmental issues at the regional and state levels, helping environmental and transportation agencies to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions, and institute effective regulations. Andrew works on various CALSTART projects with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, California Air Resources Board, and California Energy Commission. Andrew holds a master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, where he researched strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of transportation. He received a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science Engineering from Stanford University, where he explored opportunities for new materials in improving fuel cell and photovoltaic technologies. email: apapson@calstart.org

Whitney Pitkanen, Senior Project Manager

Susan Romeo, Director, Clean Transportation Industry Services

Fred Silver, Vice President

As Vice President at CALSTART, Fred provides executive oversight on the Low Carbon Bus and Hydrogen Vehicle Programs. He has worked with the Federal Transit Agency for more than twelve years focusing on the commercialization of new bus technologies including Zero Emission Fuel Cell and Battery Buses, Hybrid Vehicles and Advanced Bus Rapid Transit Vehicles.

Fred also acts as the Director of the California Hybrid and Efficient Advanced Truck Research Center administered by CALSTART. The CalHEAT Truck Research Center has developed a Technology and Market Transformation Roadmap which results in California meeting the emissions and environmental policies as they relate to medium and heavy duty trucks.

Fred also provides executive oversight on CALSTART's First Mile Program with a focus of encouraging a modal shift to cleaner mobility, especially as it relates to transit connections, as well as fostering the integration of small electric vehicles and bicycles into the low carbon transportation plans for cities and regions.

Fred's past experience includes Business Development for GM Hughes Electronics and Delco Electronics where he worked on advanced propulsion and battery charging systems. His hands-on experiences include applications such as small electric scooters, electrically propelled passenger delivery and fleet vehicles, and buses. His global background can provide access to a strong network of potential vehicle, system and component partners around the world.

Fred has a background in power electronics including a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University.

email: fsilver@calstart.org

Steven Sokolsky, Senior Project Manager

Kimberly Taylor, Program Director, Member Services

	Kimberly Taylor is CALSTART’s Director of Member Services. As a member of the Clean Transportation Industry Services team, her responsibilities include the development, oversight and implementation of the program and service benefits created for the consortium of clean transportation industry members. She works closely with member companies to identify the synergies between their needs and the services CALSTART offers. Special target interest areas include working with fleet managers, and developing collaborations with new and entrenched public and private entities committed to accelerating the advanced vehicle transportation industry. Kimberly also serves on CALSTART’s High-Efficiency Truck Users Forum (HTUF) team providing project management services and working with industry stakeholders to achieve common goals. Kimberly is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Transportation Energy Partners (TEP) where she serves as CALSTART’s representative. Kimberly has worked in the alternative fuels and vehicles industry for fifteen years. Prior to joining CALSTART, she was the Director of Education and Business Programs for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute, serving as the primary liaison with stakeholders and overseeing industry communications. Prior to that, Kimberly worked for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory as a Senior Project Leader in the Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems. She also managed strategic planning and industry stakeholder relations for DOE’s Clean Cities program, which included lead responsibility for the national Clean Cities Conference. Kimberly has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Communications from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She has completed two years of study in a Master’s program at the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Kimberly is located in CALSTART’s Lakewood, Colorado office. email: ktaylor @calstart.org

Kimberly Taylor is CALSTART’s Director of Member Services. As a member of the Clean Transportation Industry Services team, her responsibilities include the development, oversight and implementation of the program and service benefits created for the consortium of clean transportation industry members. She works closely with member companies to identify the synergies between their needs and the services CALSTART offers. Special target interest areas include working with fleet managers, and developing collaborations with new and entrenched public and private entities committed to accelerating the advanced vehicle transportation industry. Kimberly also serves on CALSTART’s High-Efficiency Truck Users Forum (HTUF) team providing project management services and working with industry stakeholders to achieve common goals. Kimberly is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Transportation Energy Partners (TEP) where she serves as CALSTART’s representative.

Kimberly has worked in the alternative fuels and vehicles industry for fifteen years. Prior to joining CALSTART, she was the Director of Education and Business Programs for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute, serving as the primary liaison with stakeholders and overseeing industry communications. Prior to that, Kimberly worked for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory as a Senior Project Leader in the Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems. She also managed strategic planning and industry stakeholder relations for DOE’s Clean Cities program, which included lead responsibility for the national Clean Cities Conference.

Kimberly has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Communications from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She has completed two years of study in a Master’s program at the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Kimberly is located in CALSTART’s Lakewood, Colorado office.

email: ktaylor @calstart.org

Dr. Jasna Tomić, Fuels Program Manager

	Jasna leads projects and studies in two main areas: use of alternative fuels (e.g. biofuels, electricity) in transportation, and Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF), bringing hybrid trucks to the marketplace. She is investigating the best opportunities for alternative fuels in transportation sector, with particular emphasis on the use of alternative fuels in the heavy-duty sector. Within HTUF, she led the largest deployment and field testing of twenty-four pre-production hybrid trucks. She is also investigating the best pathways and uses for plug-in and electric vehicles. Jasna’s expertise includes research in vehicles-to-grid power (V2G) – innovative use of electric-drive vehicles for transportation and power generation. She holds a Ph.D. in Fuel Science from Pennsylvania State University and has over 15 years of experience working in the field of energy and fuels. Jasna previously held positions as Research Scientist at University of Delaware, Princeton University, and French Institute of Petroleum. She has published extensively on energy conversion processes as well as use of electric-drive vehicles. email: jtomic@calstart.org

Bill Van Amburg, Senior Vice President

	Bill is the Senior Vice President of CALSTART, the nation’s leading clean transportation technology organization. He has over 35 years of experience, including technology development, commercialization and marketing. At CALSTART he oversees national programs in hybrid and high efficiency trucks, new fuels, and clean transportation consulting. He is also knowledgeable about environmental market mechanisms such as emission credits. A key program Bill developed and now oversees is the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF), a national program speeding medium- and heavy-duty hybrid vehicle commercialization in a partnership with the U.S. Army National Automotive Center. HTUF has directly led to hybrid truck production by four major manufacturers. Bill’s teams also manage an award-winning $39-million Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) for the California Air Resources Board (ARB), have launched the California Hybrid Efficient and Advanced Truck Research Center (CalHEAT) with the California Energy Commission and are working with the L.A. County MTA and South Coast AQMD on developing a zero-emission goods movement corridor. He is a Board member of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), has an Anthropology degree from the University of California at Berkeley and is a graduate of the Executive Management Program at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. While he has focused on commercializing clean technology for nearly two decades, he did have a previous life! In his earlier career, Bill was an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist reporting on science, technology and the environment. He covered events as diverse as the eruption of Mount St. Helens and the trial of Patty Hearst during his career. email: bvanamburg@calstart.org

Bill is the Senior Vice President of CALSTART, the nation’s leading clean transportation technology organization. He has over 35 years of experience, including technology development, commercialization and marketing. At CALSTART he oversees national programs in hybrid and high efficiency trucks, new fuels, and clean transportation consulting. He is also knowledgeable about environmental market mechanisms such as emission credits.

A key program Bill developed and now oversees is the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF), a national program speeding medium- and heavy-duty hybrid vehicle commercialization in a partnership with the U.S. Army National Automotive Center. HTUF has directly led to hybrid truck production by four major manufacturers. Bill’s teams also manage an award-winning $39-million Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) for the California Air Resources Board (ARB), have launched the California Hybrid Efficient and Advanced Truck Research Center (CalHEAT) with the California Energy Commission and are working with the L.A. County MTA and South Coast AQMD on developing a zero-emission goods movement corridor.

He is a Board member of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), has an Anthropology degree from the University of California at Berkeley and is a graduate of the Executive Management Program at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. While he has focused on commercializing clean technology for nearly two decades, he did have a previous life! In his earlier career, Bill was an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist reporting on science, technology and the environment. He covered events as diverse as the eruption of Mount St. Helens and the trial of Patty Hearst during his career.

email: bvanamburg@calstart.org

Dr. Lawrence Wnuk, Senior Director