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Energy Africa Series: MIT Energy Initiative

Icosa Media

February 25, 2013

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Robert C. Armstrong named director of MIT Energy Initiative

Outgoing director Ernest Moniz confirmed U.S. Secretary of Energy.

May 16, 2013Read more

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Founding Members

• BP Technology Ventures Inc. is one of the world's largest energy companies, providing its customers with fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services and petrochemicals products for everyday items. BP has transformed from a local oil company into a global energy group, employing over 96,000 people and operating in over 100 countries worldwide.
• Eni operates in the oil and gas, electricity generation and sale, petrochemicals, oilfield services construction and engineering industries. In these businesses it has a strong edge and leading international market position. Eni is active in 70 countries with a staff of about 79,000 employees.
• Saudi Aramco. Owned by the Saudi Arabian Government, Saudi Aramco is a fully integrated, global petroleum enterprise and a world leader in exploration and producing, refining, distribution, shipping, marketing and petrochemicals manufacturing. The Company manages the largest proven reserves of conventional crude oil, 259.1 billion barrels, the fourth-largest gas reserves in the world, 282.6 trillion cubic feet. In 2011, Saudi Aramco produced 9.1 million barrels per day of oil, 9.9 billion standard cubic feet per day of natural gas, and exported 2.42 billion barrels of crude oil to customers around the world. In addition to its headquarters in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, through its affiliates, has joint ventures and subsidiary offices in China, Japan, India, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Saudi Aramco also refines and distributes oil products throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to meet domestic daily energy demands.
• Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemicals companies with around 101,000 employees in more than 90 countries and territories. In the U.S., we operate in 50 states and employ more than 20,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future. We are a leading oil and gas producer in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, a recognized pioneer in oil and gas exploration and production technology and one of America’s leading oil and natural gas producers, gasoline and natural gas marketers and petrochemical manufacturers.

Founding Public Members

• Masdar Institute is the world’s first graduate-level university dedicated to providing real-world solutions to issues of sustainability. The Institute’s goal is to become a world-class research-driven graduate-level university, focusing on advanced energy and sustainable technologies. Located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Masdar Institute aims to support Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification by nurturing highly-skilled human and intellectual capital and partnering with industry leaders transforming the economy in to a knowledge based one and enhance the position of Abu Dhabi as a leader in global energy.

Sustaining Members

• Bosch comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros, or eight percent of its sales revenue, for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.
• Chevron U.S.A. Inc. is one of the world's largest integrated energy companies. Headquartered in San Ramon, California, we conduct business in more than 100 countries. We are engaged in every aspect of the crude oil and natural gas industry, including exploration and production, manufacturing, marketing and transportation, chemicals manufacturing and sales, geothermal, and power generation. We're also investing in renewables and advanced technologies.
• Enel Produzione S.p.A. is Italy's largest power company, and Europe's second listed utility by installed capacity. It is an integrated player which produces, distributes and sells electricity and gas. Further to the acquisition of the Spanish utility Endesa, Enel has now a presence in 23 countries with approximately 95000 MW of generating capacity and serves over 61 million power and gas customers. Listed on the Milan stock exchange since 1999, Enel has the largest number of shareholders of any Italian company, at some 1.3 million retail and institutional investors in 2008. Enel is also the second-largest Italian operator in the natural gas market, with approximately 2.7 million customers and a 10% market share in terms of volumes. (figures from December 31st 2008)
• Ferrovial. Founded in 1952, Ferrovial is one of the world's leading infrastructure groups, operating through its airports, toll roads, construction and services divisions. It has a presence in over 45 countries and has some of the world's top privately-owned infrastructure assets, such as 407 Express Toll Route in Toronto, London's Heathrow Airport, Chicago Skyway and Ausol toll road in Spain. Ferrovial is part of Spain's blue-chip IBEX-35 index and also of the prestigious DJSI and FTSE4Good sustainability indices.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2012 sales of $47.2 billion.
• Schlumberger is the leading oilfield services provider, trusted to deliver superior results and improved E&P performance for oil and gas companies around the world. Through our well site operations and in our research and engineering facilities, we are working to develop products, services and solutions that optimize customer performance in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
• Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. The company has around 430,000 employees (in continuing operations) working to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a wide range of solutions for individual requirements.
• Total With operations in more than 130 countries, Total engages in all aspects of the petroleum industry, including Upstream operations (oil and gas exploration, development and production, LNG) and Downstream operations (refining, marketing and the trading and shipping of crude oil and petroleum products). Total also produces base chemicals (petrochemicals and fertilizers) and specialty chemicals for the industrial and consumer markets (rubber processing, adhesives, resins and electroplating). In addition, Total has interests in the coal mining and power generation sectors. Total is helping to secure the future of energy by progressively expanding its energy offerings and developing complementary next generation energy activities (solar, biomass, nuclear).
• United Technologies Corporation (UTC) is a diversified company whose products include Carrier heating and air conditioning, Hamilton Sundstrand aerospace systems and industrial products, Otis elevators and escalators, Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, Sikorsky helicopters, UTC Fire & Security systems and UTC Power fuel cells.
• Weatherford International Ltd. (NYSE:WFT) is one of the largest global providers of advanced products and services that span the drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention cycles of oil and natural gas wells. Weatherford employs approximately 43,000 employees worldwide, operates in more than 100 countries with 800 service bases and 16 technology development and training facilities.

Associate Members

• Booz Allen Hamilton works side by side with their clients, offering expert, objective advice to help solve their most important and complex problems. Their approach to management and technology consulting combines deep domain expertise with strong capabilities in strategy, and organization, analytics, technology and operations. By leveraging both, Booz Allen anticipates, identifies and addresses their clients’ specific needs while looking for smart applications of their management and technology consulting solutions in the future.
• Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of more than 500 Company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 5,200 dealer locations. Cummins reported net income of $755 million on sales of $14.34 billion in 2008.
• Duke Energy Corporation is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with more than $100 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.1 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK.
• EDF. Operating in more than 20 countries worldwide, EDF has become recognized as a leading expert in low-carbon energy options, including nuclear, wind, hydro and solar power. At the root of EDF’s strong global presence is its leadership position in Europe’s electricity markets. We are one of the top energy producers in Britain, Germany, Italy, and the largest producer in France, where we supply 80% of the country’s electricity through nuclear power, and 15% through renewables. Today, we’re growing to meet changing energy demands in the U.S. as the nation considers new energy policies for the future.
• Edison International, through its subsidiaries, is a generator and distributor of electric power and an investor in infrastructure and energy assets, including renewable energy. Headquartered in Rosemead, Calif., Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, and Edison Mission Group, a competitive power generation business.
• Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second- largest nuclear generator in the United States.
• Hess Corporation is a leading global independent energy company, engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, as well as in refining and in marketing refined petroleum products, natural gas, and electricity. Our vision is to maximize shareholder value by enhancing financial performance and providing long-term profitable growth. We are committed to meeting the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our employees, safeguarding the environment and creating a long- lasting, positive impact on the communities in which we do business.
• ICF International. Since 1969, ICF International (NASDAQ: ICFI) has been serving government at all levels, major corporations, and multilateral institutions. ICF International partners with government and commercial clients to deliver professional services and technology solutions in the energy and climate change; environment and infrastructure; health, human services, and social programs; and homeland security and defense markets. The firm combines passion for its work with industry expertise and innovative analytics to produce compelling results throughout the entire program life cycle, from research and analysis and design through implementation and improvement.

Affiliate Members

• 8 Rivers Capital is a technology commercialization firm that brings new ideas to market. Bill Brown and Dr. Miles Palmer, two friends from MIT, formed 8 Rivers and its sister company, Palmer Labs, to solve world problems with cheaper, better, and often radical solutions. 8 Rivers assists Palmer Labs and other entrepreneurs introduce revolutionary innovation to market. By separating the functions of innovation and commercialization, we avoid some of the pitfalls that have plagued other inventor-focused firms. We are not just another firm that collects IP but fails to bring the technology to market. 8 Rivers enables both technologies and innovators to achieve their fullest potential, helping them improve the world in exciting and unexpected ways.
• Albachiara Rinnovabili S.r.l. is an Italian company, headquartered in Rome, active in the development, construction and running of renewable power plants. Its present focus is on utility-scale (i.e. 3 - 20 MWp power) distributed generation in the solar photovoltaic field. The company aims at achieving stringent quality objectives, as well as being on the forefront of technological efficiency. It implements its projects via its own resources as well as access to equity and credit markets, by leveraging on: (i) its proprietary scouting strategy, (ii) a solid expertise by its team in the financial, electrical engineering and environmental science fields.
• Angeleno Group (AG) is a California-based private equity firm focused on high growth investments in the energy sector. AG makes investments broadly across the energy industry to support innovative, well-managed, rapidly growing companies. Angeleno Group believes that a series of fundamental changes in the energy and environmental industries are generating significant private equity opportunities. These changes revolve around three major themes: (1) the need for energy independence, (2) the requirements of a stable and reliable energy infrastructure, and (3) imperatives relating to environmental sustainability. These themes affect the entire sector value chain -- from the extraction of natural resources and the conversion of fuels into electricity to the distribution of energy and the way in which power is ultimately consumed. In each case, innovative products and services are emerging as potential solutions to global energy and environmental challenges. Investors in AG funds include leading endowments and foundations, nationally recognized family offices and former CEO's and board members of some of the country's most prominent energy companies.
• La Asociación Nacional de Empresas Generadoras (ANDEG) is a private, non-profit organization made up of 11 electricity generation companies located in Colombia. ANDEG's membership includes both private and public residential public services companies which together represent 3.191 MW of generating capacity, accounting for 24% of the national total. Additionally, these companies have 22.692 GWh per year of firm energy to contribute to the national system, an amount equal to 35% of the total demand in 2011. ANDEG's objective is to propose and promote measures which will help the national government, through the Commission for the Regulation of Energy and Gas, and Control and Monitoring agencies, to deepen and expand the energy market, permitting: efficient, transparent, and competitive pricing; economic self-sufficiency for the elements of the electrity services supply chain; the long-term sustainability of the energy sector.
• Aspen Technology is a leading supplier of software that optimizes process manufacturing – for energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering and construction, and other industries that manufacture and produce products from a chemical process. With integrated aspenONE solutions, process manufacturers can implement best practices for optimizing their engineering, manufacturing and supply chain operations. As a result, AspenTech customers are better able to increase capacity, improve margins, reduce costs and become more energy efficient.
• Larry Birenbaum, '69, retired from Cisco Systems where he was a Senior Vice President and General Manager in charge of the multi-billion dollar desktop switch and wireless LAN business units. Before that, he held executive positions at 3Com Corporation, later co-founding Grand Junction Networks where he was a principal creator of modern Ethernet. Birenbaum serves as Vice Chairman of The Philanthropy Workshop West and is a member of the Visiting Committee for MIT’s Engineering Systems Division. His philanthropic focus is supporting research and policy pertaining to energy and climate change. He and his wife, Jan, live in northern California and are the proud parents of two daughters and one granddaughter.
• Bloomberg New Energy Finance is the world’s leading provider of industry information and analysis to investors, corporations and governments in clean energy, low carbon technologies and the carbon markets. Their dedicated global network of 125 analysts, based across 10 offices in Europe, the Americas, Asia & Africa are continuously monitoring market changes, deal flow and financial activity allowing instantaneous transparency into the clean energy and carbon markets. Through their Carbon Markets division we provide market-leading analysis and research for the global carbon markets. This includes analysis, price forecasting, consultancy and risk management. Bloomberg New Energy Finance provides a wide range of subscription based services including news, investment data, research, advisory services and executive events to a substantial and diverse client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and advisors. We serve more than 500 leading investors including investment banks, hedge funds, asset managers, private equity and venture capital investors, utilities, oil companies & corporate. The firm is headquartered in London and maintains offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Perth, Cape Town, Tel Aviv, São Paulo, Washington DC, New York and Palo Alto.
• John M. Bradley
• Constellation Energy is a Fortune 500 Company and a leading supplier of energy products and services to wholesale and retail electric and natural gas customers. The company is a major generator of electricity with a diversified fleet of generating units strategically located throughout the United States, totaling more than 9,100 megawatts of generating capacity. They are among the leaders pursuing the development of new nuclear plants in the United States. Constellation Energy is also a regulated distributor of electricity and natural gas in Central Maryland through our utility, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. The company is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. In 2008, the Constellation Energy saw revenues in excess of $19.8 billion.
• Jerome I. Elkind '51, ScD '56, received his bachelor's and doctor's degrees in electrical engineering. His early career was devoted to human factors and computer research at BBN and Xerox. Later he worked on computer technology to help people with learning disabilities, co-founding Kurzweil Educational Systems and the Lexia Institute, a non profit of which he is chairman.
• EnerNOC Inc. (NASDAQ: ENOC) is transforming the way the world uses energy. It helps drive better, smarter use of energy by applying sophisticated information technology to the world’s energy challenges. EnerNOC has created powerful applications that are delivered as a service from their state-of-the-art Network Operations Center (NOC). Collectively, their solutions change the way businesses, institutions, and utilities think about energy. They help commercial, institutional and industrial organizations use energy more intelligently, pay less for it, and generate cash flow that benefits the bottom line. Their technology-enabled energy management solutions help meet the needs of utilities/grid operators that deliver energy and are responsible for maintaining the real-time balance between supply and demand. EnerNOC has won numerous awards for its technology, customer service and industry leadership. The company serves customers throughout North America and is continuing to grow and expand.
• Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 167,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential. Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
• Dennis Fromholzer '75
• Fundacio Barcelona Tecnologia (b_TEC) is oriented towards the principle of sustainability, that is, research and innovation aimed at creating development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising the opportunities of future generations. It is an organization dedicated to creating scientific and technological clusters that group together businesses and universities — both local and international — to jointly develop innovation in three fields of knowledge: Energy, water and mobility.
• Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is a leading research, development and training organization addressing global energy and environmental challenges to enable a secure, abundant, and clean energy future. For nearly 70 years, GTI has been providing economic value to the natural gas industry and energy markets by developing technology-based solutions for industry, government, and consumers. We focus on expanding the supply of natural gas and renewable energy, ensuring a safe and reliable natural gas infrastructure, promoting the efficient use of energy resources, and reducing carbon emissions to the environment. GTI initiatives lead to emerging technologies across market sectors and services at every phase of the technology development cycle, from concept to commercialization. Our efforts include research and development, program management, technical services, analytical services, consulting, commercialization, and education and training.
• Natalie M. Givans '84
• C. Gail Greenwald
• A. Thomas Guertin PhD '60
• Harris Interactive is one of the world’s leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next.
• Hogan Lovells US LLP is a global legal practice that helps corporations, financial institutions, and governmental entities across the spectrum of their critical business and legal issues globally and locally. We have over 2,300 lawyers operating out of more than 40 offices in the United States, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.
• IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates (IHS CERA) is a leading independent provider of insight into the energy future to energy companies, consumers and industrial companies, financial institutions, technology providers, and governments. IHS CERA delivers critical knowledge and analysis on energy markets, geopolitics, industry trends, and strategy. Our services help decision makers anticipate the energy future and formulate timely, successful plans in the face of rapid changes and uncertainty. IHS CERA is valued for our independence, fundamental research, foresight, and original thinking. Our unique integrated framework enables us to offer new insights ahead of conventional wisdom, providing a comprehensive “early warning system” that has a direct impact on investment, decision making, and performance. IHS CERA’s expertise covers all major energy sectors—oil and refined products, natural gas, electric power, renewables, coal, and carbon—on a global and regional basis. We deliver this expertise through our continuous research services, covering more than 20 areas of focus across the energy spectrum, as well as specific consulting and advisory projects. IHS CERA’s team of experts is headed by Daniel Yergin, Chairman and Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power. Dr. Yergin is also coauthor of the critically acclaimed book Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy. IHS CERA has over 250 staff worldwide, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Beijing; Calgary; Denver; Dubai; Houston; London; Mexico City; Moscow; Paris; Rio de Janeiro; San Francisco; Singapore; and Washington, DC.
• Paul S. Mashikian '95, '97
• New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 under Article 8, Title 9 of the State Public Authorities Law [PDF] through the reconstitution of the New York State Atomic and Space Development Authority. NYSERDA’s earliest efforts focused solely on research and development with the goal of reducing the State’s petroleum consumption. Today, NYSERDA’s aim is to help New York meet its energy goals: reducing energy consumption, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, and protecting the environment.
• Nexant, Inc. is a provider of intelligent grid software and clean energy solutions—pioneering, developing, and advancing electric power grid and alternative energy technologies and services. Their exclusive focus on energy, combined with well-respected and experienced professionals, proven technology, and proprietary industry information, has earned them distinctive brand recognition and a reputation as a top energy solutions company. Since their inception in 2000, the company has completed over 2,000 assignments in more than 70 countries, developing a thorough understanding of many of the complex issues facing public and private sector participants in the energy industry. Their clients include Fortune 500 companies, utilities, transmission and distribution system operators, petroleum and chemical majors, financial institutions, government agencies, and development banks. In 2008, Red Herring—the global technology business magazine—recognized Nexant as one of the top 100 privately-held companies in North America, based on our technology innovation, quality of management, breadth of partners and customers, and depth of financial backing. Nexant is headquartered in San Francisco, California and has 24 corporate, representative, and project offices located throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
• NGP Energy Technology Partners, LP (NGP ETP) manages approximately $500M and invests in companies that sell technology-driven products and services to the energy industry. The fund is managed by investment professionals with extensive experience investing in virtually all types of energy technologies and a strong track record of helping companies grow, create value, and establish strategic partnerships. NGP Energy Technology Partners is sponsored NGP Energy Capital Management, a $9.3 billion family of funds and a leading investor in the energy sector since 1988.
• Open Access Technology International, Inc. (OATI). In 1995, OATI pioneered the ASP model in the North American energy industry. Today, OATI continues to provide innovative software solutions to meet the needs of the North American energy industry. Over 700 companies—including global financial leaders—rely on OATI applications for state-of-the-art energy trading and transmission, saving them time, money and increasing their revenues.
• Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. is a leading energy supplier with its core natural gas supply business serving 6.7 million customers in the Kansai Region. With its portfolio of diversified energy businesses, Osaka Gas is developing into a multi-energy services provider of natural gas, electricity, LPG, district heating/cooling, and other services. With its affiliated enterprises, the Osaka Gas Group is also active in various non-energy business fields.
• Patriot Renewables is a developer, owner, and operator of commercial wind energy projects. Patriot owns and operates the 4.5 megawatt Beaver Ridge Wind project in Freedom, Maine as a partnership with MIRSAP1, LLC. It has an active development pipeline of wind projects in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Mexico. Patriot Renewables is an affiliate of Jay Cashman, Inc., an experienced East Coast heavy civil and marine construction firm, which provides us with the resources to design and construct complex projects on ridgelines and offshore. The Patriot team is made up of skilled individuals with proven abilities in project development, renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
• Petra Energia S.A. (Petra) is a Brazil-based company focused in the oil and gas reserves. The company holds interest in seven onshore exploratory blocks located in the Parnaíba Basin, in the state of Maranhao. The blocks are located in a new frontier basin having a relevant potential of gas production, confirmed by a well drilled in 1987 where evidence of hydrocarbon was found. The company primarily operates in the regions of South America. The company is headquartered at Brazil.
• Praxair, Inc. With 2009 sales of $9 billion, Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) is a global, Fortune 300 company that supplies atmospheric, process and specialty gases, high-performance coatings, and related services and technologies to a wide diversity of of industries: aerospace, food and beverages, healthcare, semiconductors, chemicals, refining, oil and gas production, primary metals and metal fabrication, as well as other areas of general industry.
• Pythagoras Investment Management, LLC
• Joseph M. Rault '48, President of Rault Resources Group and a native New Orleanean, is a graduate of MIT and Tulane University School of Law and served in the United States Navy. After specializing in Admiralty, Maritime, Oil and Gas law practice he contracted with the government of Mexico to drill wells for Petrolous Mexicanos in its native country, after which he engaged in oil production activities in Venezuela. He was cofounder of an offshore marine service company that became Tidewater Marine. On the real estate side, he developed the original Rault Center, a multipurpose office complex in the city of New Orleans together with other real estate and multi-family complex developments in Louisiana and Mississippi. He is President of Rault Resources Group, which owns and operates three major office buildings in the Metairie-Kenner corridor and Lafayette.
• Redpoint Ventures was formed in 1999 with partners from Brentwood Venture Capital and Institutional Venture Partners, two firms that have been successfully investing in technology since the early days of venture capital. With over 100 collective years of experience and over $2 billion under management - including 34 IPOs and 54 upside acquisitions - they offer a deep bench of experienced partners with success in building companies throughout the technology industry
• Philip Rettger '80 (Inaugural member) has been active in a range of energy activities for more than 30 years, starting with MIT UROP assignments in energy conservation and renewable energy development at the Massachusetts Energy Office. Mr. Rettger subsequently worked in invention, commercialization, development and finance of projects that span solar PV, low-impact hydroelectric, biomass and waste fuel power generation, recycling, gasification, natural gas cogeneration, and unconventional oil recovery and processing. As a serial entrepreneur in the energy sector, Mr. Rettger was a co-founder of companies including OptiSolar, OPTI Canada, and Oxford Energy. Mr. Rettger also serves on the Board of Directors of the Mohegan Tribal Utility Authority.
• Rockport Capital Partners is a US-based venture capital firm. The firm focuses on investments across the cleantech sector, including emissions control, grid management, solar power, energy storage, wind power, water, energy efficiency, energy management, efficient lighting, and green buildings. RockPort targets companies that offer highly differentiated and defensible solutions with strong value propositions that drive superior returns.
• S. Kinnie Smith, Jr.
• Doug Spreng '65
• Steptoe & Johnson, LLP. With more than 500 attorneys, Steptoe & Johnson LLP provides counsel and representation in a wide range of legal fields. In more than 60 years of practice, the firm has gained a national and international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. Steptoe attorneys are particularly known for having the breadth of experience and insight needed to handle complex disputes and resolve difficult regulatory and business problems. Attorneys in practices ranging from tax, government contracts, international trade, and intellectual property, to antitrust, insurance, transportation, telecommunications, and employment law, know the business and regulatory landscapes exceedingly well and benefit from deep benches of practice-specific trial and appellate lawyers. The firm has offices in Washington, New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Century City, London, and Brussels.
• George R. Thompson, Jr. '53
• The Tremont Group, LLC
• Tomas Truzzi
• Westport Innovations, Inc. is a leading global supplier of proprietary solutions that allow engines to operate on clean-burning fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen and biofuels such as landfill gas. Cummins Westport Inc., Westport’s joint venture with Cummins Inc., manufactures and sells the world's broadest range of low-emissions alternative fuel engines for commercial transportation applications such as trucks and buses. BTIC Westport Inc., Westport’s joint venture with Beijing Tianhai Industry Co. Ltd., manufactures and sells LNG fuel tanks for vehicles. Westport’s joint venture with OMVL SpA, Juniper Engines Inc., offers light-duty LPG and natural gas engine solutions for industrial applications such as forklifts.
• Xandex, Inc. develops products and offers services to worldwide customer bases in the solar energy and semiconductor equipment markets. Their Solar and Semiconductor divisions service customers in their respective markets throughout North America, Asia and the EU.