North America advisory board

Board

Sylvia Burks
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Sylvia Burks’ practice focuses on the representation of established and emerging technology companies in the areas of corporate securities, mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances, as well as in intellectual property and general corporate matters. Ms. Burks’ particular focus is on cross-border transactions for public and private companies based in Europe and Asia.

Ms. Burks is a frequent speaker on topics including cleantech, cross-border licensing and acquisitions, venture capital investment, and investment in companies in the technology and life sciences sector.

Ms. Burks earned her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and an M.B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a recipient of a German-American Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) grant, University of Bonn, Germany and a Fulbright Grant, Vienna, Austria. She graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Baptist University with a B.A. in English and Sociology.

Douglas Chu
NYSE

Doug Chu runs the NYSE’s Silicon Valley office and is Head of the US Western Region in NYSE Euronext’s Global Corporate Client Group. His group is responsible for advising and managing relationships with corporate clients and IPO prospects, as well as the VC, investment banking, private equity and legal communities. NYSE Euronext is the world’s largest, most liquid, and most global exchange group. In terms of listed market capitalization and market share of equities global trading volume, NYSE Euronext is larger than the next 5-6 exchanges combined.

Previous to joining NYSE Euronext, Mr. Chu has over 12 years of experience as a technology investment banker in the technology practices of Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, and Bank of America Securities. He has advised clients in the software, semiconductor, hardware and internet sectors on over $15 billion of capital raising and mergers & acquisitions transactions. Mr. Chu is highly experienced as a lead advisor to technology companies in IPOs, M&A, leveraged buyouts, equity and convertible financing, bond and bank financing, and structured products.

Prior to his investment banking career, Mr. Chu was an aerospace engineer with McDonnell Douglas Corporation. His area of expertise was computational fluid dynamics. Mr. Chu has experience as a programmer, an aerospace design engineer and also as an IT systems manager.

Mr. Chu received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, his M.S. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University, and his MBA from U.C. Berkeley. He has written a Masters thesis and is published in academic journals in the field of computational fluid dynamics software.

Mark T. Donohue
Babson College

In June 2008, Mark Donohue was appointed Babson College’s first Clean Technology Entrepreneur-in-Residence.

From 2001 to 2008, he was the Founder, Managing Partner and Chairman of Expansion Capital Partners, LLC, a pioneer in Clean Technology venture capital investing, which manages over $100,000,000. Mr. Donohue sold most of his interests in Expansion Capital Partners in June 2008. 

During the last twenty years, Mr. Donohue has built three successful investment management, investment banking and financial service companies. He has a broad background in venture capital, both on the buy-side and sell-side, plus he has served in senior operational roles for venture-backed enterprises. He has been involved in growing over twenty venture capital backed enterprises.

Mr. Donohue was a founding investor in, and has served for seven years on the advisory board of, the Cleantech Group.

Bob Epstein
Environmental Entrepreneurs

Epstein is a co-founder of five companies: Sybase, New Resource Bank, GetActive Software, Zight, and Britton-Lee. Bob currently splits his professional time between his roles as co-founder of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), Director New Resource Bank and Trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Bob led the E2 team that helped to pass California’s major global warming bills – the “Clean Cars Bill” and the “Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006”. Bob is Vice Chairman of California’s Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee for AB 32. Bob’s community activities are focused on the environment, public education and opera.

Bob is a trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the leading U.S. environmental organization. In June of 2000, he co-founded Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) with Nicole Lederer. E2 is a national community of professionals and business people who believe in protecting the environment while building economic prosperity. It serves as a champion on the economic side of good environmental policy by taking a reasoned, economically sound approach to environmental issues. Through active support of Natural Resources Defense Council, E2 works to influence state and national environmental policy. Bob holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science, specializing in distributed database Bob Epstein is an entrepreneur and engineer with a Ph.D. from the University of systems (with a minor in music).

Rick Fratus
Macquarie

Rick Fratus is a Senior Vice President based in Macquarie’s Carlsbad office.  He is focused on the firm’s Clean Tech investment activities.  Prior to joining Macquarie in 2005, Mr. Fratus was a Senior Associate at Pacific Corporate Group LLC (“PCG”), working with large public pension plans in constructing their private equity portfolios and selecting private equity managers.  His areas of focus include energy, clean technology, venture capital, secondary transactions, and special situations. Prior to PCG, he worked at the Austin Clean Energy Incubator where he evaluated start up opportunities and provided management consulting support to portfolio companies.  Mr. Fratus also served on active duty for nine years as a Special Operations Officer in the US Navy.   Mr. Fratus received his MBA from the University of Texas, Austin, a Diploma in Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College and his Bachelor of Science degree from the US Naval Academy with Merit.

Hank Habicht
SAILVenture Partners

Hank Habicht is Managing Partner of SAIL in the Washington, D.C. office. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of Safety-Kleen, and served as Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Hank was a manager of Environmental Technologies Fund. He is a co-founder of the American Council on Renewable Energy and an advisor to the Secretary of Energy. Hank holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

H. Jeffrey Leonard
Global Environment Fund

Dr. Leonard is the President and CEO of Global Environment Fund (GEF), one of the most experienced and most successful private equity firms dedicated exclusively to investments in the energy and environment sectors. Founded in 1990, GEF currently has approximately $1 billion in aggregate capital under management.

Dr. Leonard is on the Board of Directors of the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (“EMPEA”), and is the co-chairman of the Advisory Board of the Clean Technology Venture Network.

Dr. Leonard is on the Board of Reva Electric Car Company (Bangalore, India) and several other GEF portfolio companies. He previously served as a founder and member of the Board of Global Forest Products, Ltd, (Africa) and as chairman of the Board of International Pepsi-Cola Bottler Investments.

Dr. Leonard is a member of the Advisory Board of the US-Brazil Biofuels Partnership. In 2006-07, he served as co-chairman of the energy transition team of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. From 1992 through 1998, Dr. Leonard he was a member of the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. He is a Board member of the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE).

Dr. Leonard is a graduate of Princeton (Ph.D.), London School of Economics (MS. Econ) and Harvard College (BA, magna cum laude). He is the author of five books and numerous technical articles relating to global environmental issues, international trade, energy production and technology development.

Scott MacDonald
Emerald Technology Ventures

Scott MacDonald is a Partner with Emerald Technology Ventures, a global leader in cleantech venture capital. Founded in 2000 under the name SAM Private Equity, Emerald is a pioneer in this rapidly emerging sector and is focused on innovative technologies in energy, materials and water. From offices in Zurich, Switzerland and Montreal, Canada, Emerald manages three venture capital funds and two venture capital portfolio mandates totaling over US$440 million. Scott has been active in the venture capital industry for the past 10 years and has focused exclusively on the global cleantech sector for the past 5 years. Scott graduated with a Bachelors degree from McMaster University and an MBA from Dalhousie University. He previously served as Chairman of RuggedCom (TSX:RCM) and is currently a Director of SynapSense, Solicore and SoftSwitching Technologies. He is a volunteer director of Gymnastics Canada and is an elected voting member of the Canadian Olympic Committee for the 2005-2009 quadrennial.

Charles J. “Chuck” McDermott
RockPort Capital Partners

Chuck began his cleantech career over 20 years ago helping to launch in 1984 the nation’s first independent bulk electric power trading company, the predecessor to Citizens Power. In 1986, having directed the successful campaign of Congressman Joseph Kennedy II, Chuck served two terms as his Chief of Staff. He then joined Waste Management, the world’s largest environmental services company, as Vice President for Government Affairs. During his 12 years of senior level energy and environmental policy work in Washington, DC Chuck established strong administrative and strategic relationships that have put him at the forefront of cleantech policy deliberations today. He brought this public/private sector experience to RockPort when he joined in 1998. Chuck studied at Yale University before beginning a 14 year career in the music business as a songwriter, performer and recording artist.

He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Advanced Electron Beams, Project FROG, Renaissance Lighting, Soliant Energy, Sustainable Spaces, and Tioga Energy. He is also a director and executive committee member of the GridWise Alliance, a member of the Smart Grid Policy Center Advisory Council, a member of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Capital Advisory Committee, and a member of the Energy Future Coalition Advisory Council.

Dirk McDermott
Altira

Mr. McDermott is the founder and Managing Partner of Altira Group LLC, a Denver-based venture firm focused exclusively on investments in energy technology companies. Dirk pioneered successful energy technology investment more than 25 years ago. A trained geoscientist, Dirk has an impressive array of experiences in operating, investing, and board roles. Dirk is the Chair of the Alternative Investment Committee of the Petroleum Investment Committee at Stanford University, a Director of Research Partnership for a Secure Energy America (RPSEA), and sits on portfolio company boards for Beyond Compliance, DeepFlex, and MicroSeismic. Altira’s investments range from $5 Million to $15 million, and are committed to building a future of efficient, sustainable energy by pioneering full-spectrum investments that will transform the energy sector. Founded in 1996 with the sole purpose of investing in the energy technology sector, Altira Group focuses on growth technology companies spanning the energy value chain, from source to resource, taking an active lead investment role, and has closed five funds totaling $300 million in active, hands-on investments. Mr. McDermott holds a MBA and Master of Science in Geophysics from Stanford University.

Ryan Murr
Goodwin Procter

Ryan Murr is a partner in Goodwin Procter’s Business Law Department and a member of the Tech Companies & Life Sciences and M&A/Corporate Governance Practices. He has particular experience representing and advising companies in the clean-tech, life sciences, information technology, software and nanotech industries. Mr. Murr also specializes in corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on representing publicly traded companies in offerings, M&A and SEC and corporate governance related matters, as well as advising investors and underwriters in securities transactions. He has represented various public biotechnology and information-technology companies in connection with significant acquisitions and divestitures, including acquisitions of targets in Australia, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Mr. Murr is listed in Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders and has lectured on topics of securities reform, corporate governance matters and effective negotiating strategies and tactics. He received his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Marianne O’Connor
Sterling Communications, Inc.

Marianne is a serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience driving internal and external communications programs for emerging and established technology companies. Comfortable working at all stages of the corporate lifecycle, she has designed high-impact communications programs for venture-funded startups, mid-cap companies and global FORTUNE 1000 leaders. Marianne has specific expertise in crisis communications, IPOs, and M&A activity.

Marianne has also held key leadership roles in two FORTUNE 1000 tech companies. She served as head of communications for BT’s 6,000-person IT division and served as acting vice president of corporate communications and acting CMO at Juniper Networks. She received a B.A. in economics from Williams College where she was awarded the Hubbard C. Hutchinson grant for creative excellence.

Robert O’Connor
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Robert O’Connor is the managing partner of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s Salt Lake City office. Bob’s practice focuses on helping technology and growth companies form, organize, and capitalize businesses; raise capital through private and public debt and equity financings; and buy and sell companies and technologies. He is a frequent speaker on topics relating to securities laws and corporate governance. Prior to rejoining Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati to open its Salt Lake City office, Bob served a brief stint as general counsel for Provo-based InsurQuote Systems.

Robert is the co-author of “The Initial Public Offering: A Guidebook for Executives and Boards of Directors”. He has a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles and earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

Scott G. Smith
Deloitte & Touche LLP

Scott Smith is the US Clean Tech Leader and Partner-in-Charge of the San Francisco Audit practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP.  Scott has more than 19 years of experience working with a broad spectrum of clients, including advising many clean tech and renewable energy clients.  He also has strong experience in the utilities industry, serving as lead audit partner on several regulated utility companies.  Prior to joining the San Francisco office, Scott spent three years as the US Partner in the London office of Deloitte & Touche working with  a variety of US- and UK-based utilities and energy and manufacturing clients.  Scott is a frequent speaker on the topics of clean technologies and renewable energy, representing Deloitte & Touche at leading industry conferences globally.

Erik Straser
MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures

With more than a decade of experience in venture capital, Erik has been a catalyst for Cleantech in Silicon Valley and abroad. He leads MDV’s Cleantech investment team and applies his expertise in areas of solar, biofuels, energy storage, industrial biotech and clean coal. He serves on the boards of Catilin, Energy Innovations, Gordon Murray Design, Hycrete, Laurus Energy, Nanosolar, OPX Biotechnologies, Recurrent Energy, and ZeaChem.

Prior to MDV Erik worked at Interval Research Corp and at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a technical staff member. He also consulted to several seed and early stage venture capital firms. While pursuing a PhD in engineering at Stanford, Erik led an interdisciplinary project between the electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering departments to develop a next-generation monitoring system for critical facilities. He holds a U.S. patent from his research work.

Erik serves on the advisory council of the Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency, as well as on the advisory boards of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP), Stanford’s BASES, NVCA Cleantech Council, and Cleantech Venture Network. Erik earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Harvey Mudd College and both doctoral and master’s degrees from the Stanford University School of Engineering.

Neil S. Suslak
Braemar Energy Ventures

Neil S. Suslak has more than 20 years of experience in the venture capital and investment banking industries, largely in the energy space. Prior to co-founding Braemar, he worked at S.G. Warburg and Co. and Swiss Bank Corporation (now UBS) in the corporate finance area and was in charge of the bank's equity capital markets business in North America. During his career, he completed numerous financing and advisory assignments for clients in the energy, communications and transportation sectors. Mr. Suslak has an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a B.A. from The University of Rochester where he was a member of the Varsity Lacrosse Team. He is a former Secretary and member of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Board of the Rye Country Day School and a Board Member of the Henry Street Settlement in New York and Chairman of the Steering Committee. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Venture Investors Association of New York (VIANY), the North American Advisory Board of The Cleantech Organization and is a member of the New York City Investment Fund Cleantech Sector and the Venture Capital Advisory Panel for the Governor’s Task Force on Diversifying the NY State Economy. Mr. Suslak is also on the Boards of several Braemar portfolio companies including Enerkem, Inc., Fractal Systems Inc. and Afina Inc. and is an observer to the Board of Directors of Utility Associates and PowerGenix.