Introducing the 2025 Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Symposium Presenters
After the Keynote, speaker information is alphabetical by first name.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
JACK BROUWER, PH.D.
University of California, Irvine
Professor, Chancellor’s Fellow: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine
Director: Clean Energy Institute
Presentation: Electrification is important; then we must add hydrogen
(abstract here)
Prof. Brouwer is an energy system dynamics expert with research interests in renewable energy systems; dynamic simulation and control; energy system thermodynamics, design, and integration; electrochemical conversion devices and systems such as fuel cells, electrolyzers and batteries; hydrogen production, storage and conversion systems; hydrogen transmission, distribution, and dispensing; and electrochemical reactions with concurrent heat, mass and momentum transfer. Prof. Brouwer obtained his M.S. and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UCI and his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Post-Doc in Chemical Engineering at MIT.
Alex Chapman
Ridge Creek Global
President and Co-Chief Investment Officer
Moderator in Government Affairs Advocacy Panel
Alex Chapman, President and Co-Chief Investment Officer, developed the Energy Transition Strategy with a focus on alternative energy technology. He has been with the firm for over 10 years having graduated from University of Richmond with a degree in Finance. Over the past decade he has worked to develop an expertise in the energy industry. Currently he has developed a focus on the fuel cell, battery and hydrogen industries and is a sought-after energy expert in those areas. He has seen firsthand how hydrogen and fuel cells have gone from a niche discussion to a major focus of energy investors over the past 5 years.
Alex is currently a board member of Team NEO, a member of the Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Coalition, a member of the Petroleum Club of Houston, and is chair of the Economic Growth and Environment Committee at the Union Club of Cleveland.
Amy Koscielak
American Electric Power
Senior Business Development Leader
Presentation title forthcoming
Amy Koscielak leads business development of customer behind the meter energy asset investment opportunities at American Electric Power, with a focus on providing solutions to energy intensive industries looking to achieve speed to power with reliable and cost-competitive onsite energy sources.
Amy has over two decades experience in economic development, sales, marketing and analytical roles, including eighteen years at AEP. Most recently, she completed a rotation in AEP’s regulatory strategy department. Prior to that, she served as senior manager, economic & business development for AEP’s Ohio service territory, where she led dozens of business attraction and retention projects in coordination with state and local economic development partners. Her focus included manufacturing, data centers and logistics/warehousing projects. Before that, she served in several roles, including manager of research and operations for economic development and customer analytics manager. Before joining AEP, Amy held business development and marketing positions at several technology companies including IBM Sterling Commerce, Bloomberg BNA, and Diebold Nixdorf.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in international business from Otterbein University in Columbus, Ohio. Amy became a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council in 2019. A graduate of Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute, she now serves as an instructor and mentoring board chair for the program. Her previous board memberships include the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) and Ohio Southeast Economic Development. She is a graduate of Leadership Columbus.
BRIAN HICKS
Hicks Partners, LLC
President and CEO
Participant in Government Affairs Advocacy Panel
Brian Hicks is President & CEO of Hicks Partners, LLC, a multidisciplinary business consulting firm providing government affairs, public relations, economic development and grant writing services. Since forming the company in 2003, Hicks has developed and executed strategies to help hundreds of clients – large and small – achieve their public policy goals.
Hicks also founded and served as Managing Director of MidAmerican Global Ventures, LLC, a global business consulting firm that promotes foreign investment in the United States from 2013-2020.
Prior to becoming a successful business owner, Brian Hicks had a long career as a public affairs official in a variety of key roles in federal and state government and on local, state and national political campaigns.
Considered to be among “Ohio’s most powerful unelected officials” (according to the Associated Press, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Columbus Dispatch), Hicks was involved in virtually every aspect of managing the State of Ohio while serving as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ohio. Hicks also served as Deputy Secretary of State of Ohio and as Senior Legislative Adviser for a U.S. Member of Congress.
Hicks served on The Ohio State University Board of Trustees from 2004-2013 and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Marburn Academy until 2021. He also served as Chairman of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors until 2025.
Hicks is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he was elected president of the Undergraduate Student Government, representing more than 50,000 students.
CONNOR DOLAN
Fuel Cell Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA)
Vice President of External Affairs
Participant in Government Affairs Advocacy Panel
Mr. Dolan has worked for FCHEA since 2010 building relationships and connections across the public and private sector to support the growth and development of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. Mr. Dolan has successfully advocated for establishment of clean hydrogen infrastructure programs, development of hydrogen and fuel cell tax policies, and expansion of hydrogen and fuel cell research and development funding within the Department of Energy.
Mr. Dolan has significant experience in trade association management and subject matter expertise in the fuel cell and hydrogen industry and related policy developments. Prior to FCHEA, Mr. Dolan worked for the U.S. Fuel Cell Council and Methanol Institute.
Mr. Dolan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Christopher Newport University and an MPA and Nonprofit Management Certificate from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Gary Robinson
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Vice President of the Sustainability and Business Development Business Unit
Presentation Title forthcoming
Gary Robinson is the vice president of the Sustainability & Business Development business unit for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM), with responsibility for overseeing the company's renewable energy, resource circulation and new business development in the United States.
Robinson joined Honda in 2001 through the company’s 12-month National Trainee Program. In 2002, he joined the Product Planning department as an analyst before becoming a product planner for selected Honda models.
- In 2005, Robinson was promoted to senior product planner responsible for the development of the 2008 Honda Accord. In 2008, he became the assistant manager of Acura Product Planning, where he oversaw the development of all Acura vehicles and created strategies for the Acura brand.
- In 2009, Robinson moved to the Public Relations department as manager of Acura Public Relations.
- In 2012, he became manager of Acura Advertising, responsible for the Acura brand identity in marketing communications.
- In 2014, Robinson re-joined Product Planning as manager of Acura Product Planning, responsible for leading the planning of Acura brand products.
- In 2017, he was promoted to senior manager of Product Planning, overseeing product planning for both the Honda and Acura brands, as well as accessory product planning, and pricing and profitability.
- In April 2020, Robinson became the assistant vice president of the Automobile Product Planning division.
- In October 2022, he was promoted to vice president of Auto Planning and Strategy, responsible for leading all product planning activities for the Honda and Acura brands.
- In April 2025, Robinson assumed his current role as vice president of the Sustainability & Business Development business unit.
Robinson holds a B.A. in History from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
JULIE-MICHAEL SMITH
Vesta Azul
Workforce and Economic Development Specialist
Participant in Workforce Development Panel
Julie Michael Smith provides economic, education and technology development consulting services to organizations in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Highlighted manufacturing clients include Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, a leader in Ohio’s network of manufacturing industry sector partnerships, and Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition, leading implementation and sustainability of this new manufacturing partnership focused on workforce development and its talent pipeline. Other clients and projects include technology-based incubation, entrepreneurship education, and aerospace and defense talent pipeline development.
She has over three decades of experience, firmly rooted in economic, community and workforce development, collaborating with education, business, government and community partners in diverse communities and industry segments with an emphasis in manufacturing, workforce, education and healthcare. Roles include Chief Development Officer at the nationally-recognized Youngstown Business Incubator, the Governor's Regional Economic Development Representative in northeast Ohio; developing youth entrepreneurship and STEM programs at Youngstown State University; at Applied Systems & Technology Transfer, managing its US Department of Defense’s DARPA; She is an owner of Vista AST LLC which offers Invent2Make, a STEAM education program and operates DiscoveryZone, an educational and community digital fabrication lab at Youngstown Business Incubator. She is a member of America Makes, the national laboratory for additive manufacturing with an interest in education and workforce development.
She received her MBA and BSBA from YSU; is certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council and is pursuing Certified Fundraising Executive credential. She currently serves on the board of Valley Partners, Fireline, Inc and Columbiana Educational Service Center Business Advisory Committee. She has served numerous state and regional boards and committees for economic, community and cultural development.
Lisa Rimpf
Babcock & Wilcox
Director, Strategic Improvement
Moderator for Workforce Development Panel
Lisa Rimpf is Director, Strategic Improvement, for Babcock & Wilcox (B&W). In this role, which she has held since August 2025, she drives key business and process improvements identified by B&W’s executive leadership to enhance the company’s business efficiency and improve employee’s overall work experiences.
Prior to this, Rimpf was the Senior Proposals manager for B&W’s BrightLoop™ organization supporting chemical looping technology commercialization.
Before rejoining B&W in 2024, she held leadership roles with Dürr, a global mechanical and plant engineering firm, from 2018 to 2023, including a long-term assignment at its company headquarters near Stuttgart, Germany.
Rimpf joined Dürr’s Clean Technology Systems division in 2018, following the company’s acquisition of the former B&W Universal and B&W MEGTEC businesses. During her tenure at Dürr, she took on roles including Director of Operational Excellence, Business Application IT Manager, Lithium Ion Battery Program Management, and Director of Continuous Improvement.
She began her career at B&W in 2006, serving in various roles of increasing responsibility including Research Engineer, Environmental Technology Research Team Leader, Business Process Improvement Specialist, and Integration Manager for Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions.
Before joining B&W, Rimpf was a Graduate Research Assistant at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Rimpf holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from The University of Toledo. She is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
Mark Henning
Cleveland State University
Research Supervisor - Energy Policy Center
Participant in Workforce Development Panel
Mark Henning is Research Supervisor at Cleveland State University’s Energy Policy Center, a role he also performs on behalf of the Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence, a regional initiative advancing hydrogen-based, zero-emissions infrastructure in hard-to-abate sectors. His research portfolio encompasses hydrogen production and utilization, microgrid deployment, industrial decarbonization strategies, Ohio hydrocarbon resource development, and sustainable transportation systems. Current and recent projects include analytical and policy support for the Federal Highway Administration, JobsOhio, Cuyahoga County, and the City of Cleveland, as well as collaboration with Battelle on the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) program. Henning holds a BA in Economics, a Master of Public Administration with a focus on public financial management, and an MS in Statistics, all from Cleveland State University.
Mark Mason, Ph.D.
University of Toledo
Professor of Chemistry; Founding director of the School of Green Chemistry and Engineering (SGCE)
Participant in Workforce Development Panel
(Bio forthcoming)
MATT ULRICH
RedHawk Energy Systems
Part-Owner and Technical Sales Assistant
Presentation: RedHawk Energy’s Fuel Cell Journey – From Theory to Mass Deployment
Matt Ulrich is currently a technical sales associate and part owner of RedHawk Energy Systems, LLC. RedHawk Energy Systems, LLC is an ISO 9001-2015 certified manufacturer and value-added subsidiary of the Arthur N. Ulrich Company based in Pataskala, OH. Since the early 1980’s, RedHawk Energy has helped commercial and industrial customers tackle their critical prime and back-up power challenges with innovative solutions (solar & wind, fuel cells, stirling engines, thermoelectric generators, ultracapacitors and much more) ranging from a few watts to several kilowatts. Matt has over 17 years of experience in the critical power space and enjoys helping his customers adopt new technology.
Michael (Mike) Ahearn
Plug Power
Vice President, Hydrogen Services
Presentation Title Forthcoming
Mike attended SUNY Maritime College and graduated with a BS degree in Engineering in 1995. He joined General Electric soon after graduation via the Field Engineering Program in Schenectady, NY.
His field engineering tenure spanned over 6 years, working multiple global assignments in the power generation segment. In 2001, he moved into GE management, starting as a Service Manager, then moving into quality as a Six Sigma Blackbelt, and back into operations as a Service Director, followed by a Regional Operations Leader. Mike was promoted to the executive band in 2014 as the Region General Manager for GE Power, running a $1.5M parts, repairs, and services team. In 2017, he was a key stakeholder in standing up Fieldcore – A GE Company as a start-up, then transitioning into the North America General Manager role running the field service team across thermal and renewable power generation.
Mike left General Electric in 2019 and transitioned to KS Energy Services, a PE-owned company under Artera, as the Chief Operating Officer. KS Energy Service, a gas and electric transmission and distribution service provider based in the Midwest, partnered with many utilities to maintain and construct underground grid infrastructure. In early 2022, Mike was appointed President and COO of KS Energy, which entailed running the $275M organization. In mid-2022, KS Energy Service was merged internally under its parent company with a sister organization, which opened the door to exploring new opportunities outside the company.
In 2022, Mike joined Plug Power and has been supporting the service organization in several
aspects, from fuel cell applications, high & low power stationary systems, and more recently, hydrogen system services throughout Plug’s infrastructure and electrolyzer network.
TYLER M. DUVELIUS
Swing State Strategies
Vice President of Government & Corporate Affairs
Participant in Government Affairs Advocacy Panel
Tyler M. Duvelius is Vice President of Government & Corporate Affairs at Swing State Strategies. Prior to joining Swing State, Tyler worked as the Director of External Affairs for the Conservative Energy Network and as the Ohio State Director of the Christian Coalition. In these positions, Tyler worked to educate conservative policymakers and grassroots activists at the local, state, and federal levels on various policy issues.
Tyler has been published or quoted in every major Ohio news publication as well as in a number of national publications. He has also appeared on several television, radio, and podcast news programs throughout the country. Tyler has managed and worked on numerous Ohio political campaigns and carries experience in community and economic development.
Tyler has previously served on the board of the Young Republican National Federation as Midwestern Regional Vice-Chairman and has served on the Ohio Young Republican board as Treasurer.
Tyler is a graduate of The Ohio State University and lives in Franklin County, Ohio with his wife and daughter.
William Lehner
Independence Hydrogen
Chief Strategy Officer
Presentation title forthcoming
Bill Lehner is the CSO of Independence Hydrogen (IH), a privately held company that is a leader in building the American hydrogen economy. Prior to founding IH, Bill was a career officer in the United States Navy. He deployed on five combat tours as an EA-6B “Prowler” Naval Flight Officer and counter-IED advisor before becoming a national security expert at the Pentagon and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
WILLIAM A. (BILL) WHITTENBERGER, BSME, MBA, PE
Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Coalition
Executive Director
Presentation: Our Coalition is Strong!
In 2018 Bill retired as Site and Technology Director of Johnson Matthey PTI in Ravenna, OH. In the years since, he has done a variety of consulting through Brite Energy Innovators and others, mostly advising entrepreneurs and technology startups.
Johnson Matthey acquired the assets of Catacel Corp. in September 2014. Bill founded Catacel in 2001 with two partners, intending to develop and commercialize catalyst materials and systems using metal foil substrates. The Catacel business achieved success by providing heat exchange and catalyst solutions to numerous fuel cell system integrators and several Fortune-100 specialty customers. During those years, Bill had a significant involvement with the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition, including a two year term as Chairman.
For 15 years before Catacel, Bill developed foil based catalyst technology for numerous emission control applications at Camet Co. and Engelhard Corp. He holds 64 US Patents in the field of foil supported catalysts.
Bill earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University, and his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Ohio.
Wladimir Sarmiento-Darkin
Linde
Clean Hydrogen Director
Presentation title forthcoming
(Bio forthcoming)
