September 2004

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More changes in the U.S. Energy Department’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office (EERE - see Aug.04 H&FCL): Valri Lightner takes over Pat Davis’ previous job of running the office’s Safety, Codes and Standards operations. Ms. Lightner, a chemical engineer, has more than 20 years experience in managing fuel cell research, efficiency programs and energetic materials development. Fred Joseck, a chemical engineer with more than 25 years of technical, business development and operations experience, has been named as the program’s new technology analyst. Amy Manheim, a chemist with an MBA and more than 20 years experience in technology development programs, moved over to the hydrogen program from the biomass program a few months ago. She will be leading the industry high temperature membrane work for the department. Chris Bordeaux has moved to DoE’s Office of Policy and International Affairs on a six-month detail, but will also continue to support the IPHE Executive Secretariat. Arlene Anderson, a technology development manager on the hydrogen production team, will replace Chris as the DoE representative to the California Fuel Cell Partnership Working Groups. Lindsay Roland, a DoE Career Intern, has joined the Hydrogen Program on a six-month detail, coming from DoE’s Office of Policy and International Affairs where she worked on international energy market development. And Antonio Ruiz, an electrical/electronics engineer, joined the department three months ago and is supporting the program as a safety engineer.

Albany, NY-based Mechanical Technology, Inc. has named Steven Fischer, a member of its board of directors, as new chairman and CEO of MTI. The appointment is effective Sept. 1. Fischer is the former chairman of the New York-based professional services firm UHY Advisors NY, Inc. Dale Church, MTI’s previous chairman and CEO will move over to his new job as president of MTI government systems to focus more on government business for the company’s subsidiaries, MTI MicroFuel Cells and MTI Instruments.

Southborough, MA-based Protonex Technology Corp., a fuel cell stack developer, has appointed Scott A. Pearson as its new chief executive officer and member of the board. He replaces Norman Strate who will remain a board member and an advisor. Prior to joining Protonex, Pearson was president of Powerware Corporation Americas, a provider of uninterrupted power supplies, and he has served as president and CEO of several technology startups.

The California Fuel Cell Partnership’s information and communications manager, Joe Irvin, has resigned to pursue other interests. Irvin left the consortium in June. Bob Hayden is now acting communications manager, and CaFCP is looking for a permanent replacement.

Australia’s Melbourne-based Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd., a developer of solid oxide fuel cell technology, has named Brendan Bilton as CEO of its new European operation, Ceramic Fuel Cells (Europe), Ltd. Previously, Bilton held senior positions in the UK’s Morgan Crucible Group, most recently as business development manager for Morgan Fuel Cell. He is a member of the Fuel Cell Europe UK task group and the British government’s Trade and Industry Department’s steering committee on fuel cell initiatives.