CHRIS RIZIK, Chairman
CEO, Renaissance Venture Capital Fund
Rizik has held numerous positions in venture investment, technology and law in his work with Ardesta, Avalon Investments, Dickinson Wright PLLC and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Rizik serves in board/committee positions with several community and charitable organizations including the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year Program.
ROBERT J. BUCKLER, Vice Chairman
COO, City of Detroit
Formerly the President and COO for DTE Energy Distribution, Buckler has extensive experience in engineering, management, and customer and marketing services. He serves on Michigan Economic Development Foundation Board, the Greater Downtown Detroit Partnership, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Renaissance and the Cranbrook Institute of Science.
RONALD J. GARDHOUSE, Secretary & Treasurer
Interim President & CEO, NextEnergy
Gardhouse is serving as Interim President and CEO of NextEnergy to keep the organization on course with its strategic plan while the board conducts a national search for a new leader. Gardhouse has more than 30 years of senior level finance and operational experience in the automotive industry, including more than 25 years at locations throughout the world for Chrysler, as well as with several manufacturing suppliers and startup companies tied to innovation and alternative energy.
DENNIS N. ASSANIS
Director, Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute, University of Michigan
Assanis manages the development, coordination and promotion of multidisciplinary energy research and education programs across the University of Michigan. A professor of engineering with four graduate degrees, he is recognized internationally for his innovative development of modeling methodologies and experimental techniques exploring complex thermal, fluid and chemical processes.
MICHAEL A. BOULUS, PH.D
Executive Director, Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan
Boulus has been involved in education for more than 30 years. He has held positions with Michigan’s Department of Treasury, Epylon Corporation, Middle Cities Education Association, Michigan Schools Energy Cooperation, Michigan State University and Michigan Association of School Administrators.
GEORGE W. JACKSON, Jr.
President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
Prior to the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., George served at DTE for 26 years as Director of Customer Marketing. Since 1984, he has been influential in the economic development of Detroit and the State of Michigan.
MARIA A. THOMPSON
Venture investor & entrepreneur
Formerly the General Manager of the Government Solutions Group for A123Systems, Thompson was co-founder, President and CEO of T/J Technologies, Inc., a lithium-ion battery and alternative energy technology company that was acquired by A123Systems in 2006. She has served for years on the Advanced Technology Advisory Board for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and serves as a member of numerous community, business and nonprofit boards.