Benjamin Finkelor is Executive Director for the Energy Efficiency Center (EEC). Prior to joining the EEC, Mr. Finkelor served in a variety of roles within the Clean Technology sector, including Director of Business Development for a local clean energy start-up company, Interim Executive Director for CleanStart (a Sacramento-based business incubator supporting local clean energy technology ventures and entrepreneurs), and as a Cleantech Analyst for the private equity arm of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Mr. Finkelor currently serves as Secretary to the Board of the Renewable Energy Institute International. He earned an MBA from the Graduate School of Management at University of California, Davis, where he studied Technology Management. He also earned an emphasis in Corporate Environmental Management through the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara.

Joe Krovoza is Senior Director for Development and External Relations for the EEC and Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS-Davis). In this capacity he oversees both Institutes' public affairs and works with companies and government agencies that support the EEC and ITS-Davis through partnerships, including contributions in support of faculty research and multi-party Institute research consortia. These programs include major energy and environmental transportation research initiatives such as the ITS-Davis Sustainable Transportation Energy Pathways (STEPS) program, China Center for Energy and Transportation (C-CET), and the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Research Center. Mr. Krovoza holds a J.D. from the UC Davis School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree from Occidental College in Diplomacy and World Affairs and Economics.

Dr. Kurt Kornbluth is the Founder of the UC Davis Program for International Energy Technologies (PIET). He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering from UC Davis and is a UC Davis Graduate School of Management Business Development Fellow. Dr. Kornbluth has worked in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1993, most recently as an Emerging Venture Analyst with the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center. He started his career in the Detroit auto industry and has a diverse background, including implementing appropriate technology projects in Africa and Central America as well as the “Village Power” project for DEKA Research and Development in Bangladesh. In 2004-2005, he worked with Amy Smith at MIT to develop the curriculum for “D-Lab,” which exposed students to energy issues in developing countries. In 2008, Dr. Kornbluth received a World Bank Lighting Africa Development Marketplace grant to design and disseminate a low-cost alternative to kerosene lighting in Zambia. He is also an active member of Humdinger Wind Energy, LLC serving as an international energy specialist.

Gwynn Benner is Associate Program Manager for the EEC and responsible for outreach, events coordination, and supports the EEC’s Emerging Venture Analyst students. She is working with Kurt Kornbluth on a new program and course focused on energy technologies in developing countries. Prior to working at the EEC, Ms. Benner was U.S.-Mexico Border Coordinator for Region 9 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She served as Executive Director of the Tucson Audubon Society and was Border Program Director for the Sonoran Institute. She has taught elementary education and traveled extensively throughout Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Ms. Benner has a B.A. from the University of California and a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy with a focus on environmental policy from the University of Arizona, Tucson.

Stephanie Timmons is the Administrative Assistant for the EEC and is responsible for event coordination and various administrative support functions. Prior to joining the EEC, Ms. Timmons worked as a budget/ administrative analyst and office manager for more than twenty four years on the California State University, Chico and East Bay campuses. She earned a B.A. in Social Sciences and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Chico.