The AHEAD Team
Taken 9/13/16 at the Annual Board Meeting. From left to right: Clark Hochgraf, Manfred Niethammer, David Johnston, Ellie Rusling, M. James Grieve
BOARD MEMBERS
Eleanor Rusling - Interim Executive Director & Secretary
Ellie Rusling is principal consultant with Merrill Rusling, LLC - focused on technology-to-market initiatives. She is CEO of MicroEra Power, a cleantech start-up focused on ultra-efficient distributed generation technology. She has worked in several start-up companies and serves on the Highland Hospital Foundation Board, Horizons at the Warner School Advisory Board, and the Medical Research Review Committee of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. She has also done work with corporate communications for international clients.
Ellie holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Development from Smith College, and a Master's degree in Education Administration from the University of Rochester.
M. James Grieve, Chairman
M. James Grieve moved into his leadership position with AHEAD Energy in June 2012 after serving on its technology committee for 2 years. He is a chief scientist at Delphi Automotive Systems in Henrietta, New York. He is the author of numerous publications on engine management systems and emission controls, fuel cell systems, hybrid vehicle systems and alternative fuels. Previous to Delphi, he worked for General Motors in Oshawa, Canada and Milford, MI. He is the recipient of numerous professional awards for technology innovation. He is a licensed professional Engineer (Ontario), graduate of the IESE Business School of Barcelona Spain and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
M. James Grieve moved into his leadership position with AHEAD Energy in June 2012 after serving on its technology committee for 2 years. He is a chief scientist at Delphi Automotive Systems in Henrietta, New York. He is the author of numerous publications on engine management systems and emission controls, fuel cell systems, hybrid vehicle systems and alternative fuels. Previous to Delphi, he worked for General Motors in Oshawa, Canada and Milford, MI. He is the recipient of numerous professional awards for technology innovation. He is a licensed professional Engineer (Ontario), graduate of the IESE Business School of Barcelona Spain and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Manfred Niethammer, Vice Chairman
Manfred Niethammer is an Independent Consultant for European automotive and funding projects. He has held several positions with Delphi Corporation, the most recent being as the Director of Business Affairs and European Union Funding Programs in France. He has held a number of other professional positions with companies in the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Manfred has a master degree in Mechanical Engineering, from the Mechanical Engineering Academy, Esslingen, Germany and a diploma from the Technical College of Stuttgart.
David Johnston
David Johnston is an engineering and economics consultant and author helping companies with technology strategies, ramp-up and turn-around project implementation, and training. David works with his brother at Daniel Johnston & Company, Inc., an independent consultancy to the international petroleum industry. David has participated in negotiating oil and gas contracts and production sharing agreements in several countries. He has presented numerous seminars on oil and gas finance and regulatory policy, including regular invited seminars at the Africa Petroleum Producers Association. David holds several patents. He travels widely as he is in high demand as a speaker and seminar leader. He holds a BSEE from the University of Rochester.
Clark Hochgraf
Professor Clark Hochgraf is a professor of Electrical Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He teaches and does research in the area of smart grid technologies and integration of renewable energies.
He has considerable industrial experience in the area of power systems, power electronics, microturbines and fuel cells at Westinghouse, Ford/Visteon and General Motors.
