As the Director of Mobility Initiatives at NextEnergy, I have the privilege of leading projects that drive innovation in clean, connected, and accessible mobility solutions. The mobility team at NextEnergy operates at the center of emerging technology and real-world implementation, spanning from the global stage to local communities and cities.
At NextEnergy, we are dedicated to accelerating the adoption of advanced mobility solutions that create economic and environmental benefits for communities. Our work aligns with Michigan’s vision to lead the nation in sustainable transportation and infrastructure development. Through partnerships with industry stakeholders and technology innovators, the state of Michigan, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Transportation, and the Economic Development Administration, we develop programs that test, validate, and scale new mobility solutions.
Our Mobility Initiatives
Our team provides support to enable the success of key initiatives, including:
- The Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP): NextEnergy supports the Office of Future Mobility in deploying critical grants through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP) to support innovative projects for piloting, testing and demonstrating technologies.
- The Global Epicenter for Mobility (GEM) Testing & Proving Pillar: This program exists to strengthen Michigan’s mobility ecosystem by investing in key infrastructure to enhance and enable additional capabilities at target mobility test sites in southeast Michigan.
- The Detroit Smart Parking Lab (DSPL) and the Urban Tech Xchange (UTX): NextEnergy facilitates cutting-edge urban mobility and connected building solutions at these dedicated demonstration buildings, with more than 30 projects launched since 2023.
- The Hydrogen Heavy-Duty Vehicle Industry Group: NextEnergy serves as program managers for a group of industry partners working to advance hydrogen refueling infrastructure for commercial and heavy-duty applications through industry collaboration, research and pilot deployment projects.
Our work directly contributes to Michigan’s leadership in mobility advancements by bridging the gap between innovation and real-world deployment. We support startups, corporations, and public agencies to test and scale next-generation transportation solutions that address challenges, including emissions reduction, electrification and urban accessibility.
Vision for 2025
Looking ahead, 2025 will be a year of focused progress and meaningful collaboration. My vision includes:
- Advancing hydrogen mobility through continued engagement within the heavy-duty vehicle sector to support international hydrogen advancement and adoption, while also furthering our work with the hydrogen ecosystem in the state of Michigan.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships by enhancing collaboration between government, industry leaders and technology innovators to facilitate real-world deployment and testing of mobility technologies.
- Encouraging a broad spectrum of mobility solutions by utilizing all the resources the Motor City has to offer beyond its reputation for automotive technology. We want to continue our commitment to innovation beyond cars and trucks to include advanced aerial mobility, micromobility and urban mobility solutions that improve connectivity and accessibility.
- Increasing collaboration across the Michigan mobility ecosystem by working closely with the others in our network to continue supporting small businesses, startups and innovators to foster a well-rounded, inclusive innovation environment.
Through our collective efforts, we are not just shaping the future of mobility—we are ensuring it is clean, accessible and impactful for all. As the year progresses, I am excited to continue this journey alongside NextEnergy’s dedicated team, our partners and the broader mobility ecosystem. Together, we are transforming ideas into action and driving meaningful changes in the mobility landscape.