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 Chief Scientist for Advanced EMS and Fuel Cell Systems at Delphi Corporation in Henrietta, New York.   He is the author of numerous publications on near-zero emission engine management system and control technology, alternative fuels and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell systems.  Previous to his tenure at Delphi, he worked for General Motors in Oshawa, Canada and several alternative fuel programs.  He is the recipient of numerous professional awards for technology innovation.  He is a graduate of the IESE Business School of Barcelona Spain and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 

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. 

Engineering Economics Consulting; Vice President of Operations, Daniel Johnston & Company, Inc., Hancock, NH

David 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.

Teacher of Spanish at Rush-Henrietta Senior High School, Henrietta, NY. Ellie has worked in several start-up companies and served on the boards of community organizations. She has also done work with corporate communications for international clients.

Ellie holds a Master's degree in Education Administration from the University of Rochester and a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Development from Smith College.

Economist, Educator, President Emeritus, Marietta College 

Sherrill is a founding member of the AHEAD Energy Corporation. He has had academic appointments at Princeton University, Kalamazoo College, American University of Beirut, the University of Richmond, and Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, People's Republic of China. He is co-editor and contributor to Continuity and Change in the World Oil Industry and contributing author of Struggle and Promise: The Future of Liberal Arts Colleges. He has been a fellow at the Middle East Studies Association and a member of the United Nations Association - USA. He has been a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and continues to serve on boards for a number of national nonprofits. He holds an LLD (honorary) from Marietta College, a PhD from Princeton University and an A.B. from Oberlin College. 

Marketing consultant, retired  Xerox Corporation Senior Marketing Manager in the Office OEM Group

Russ describes himself as a multi-skilled “possibility thinker.” He currently serves on several not-for-profits boards including the Rochester American Marketing Association. He offers a unique combination of engineering, product management, marketing and entrepreneurial skills.  He understands the importance of customer needs related to product/service definition, design, commercialization, and the supply chain. He has extensive program, project, and team leadership experience with particular skill in leading less-than-precisely defined initiatives, crossing organizational boundaries, and international borders. His consultative approach focuses on the customer value proposition.  He hold a B.S. in Industrial Technology and MBA from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Since joining AHEAD Energy, he has been researching energy's role in development and is attempting to use principles from nucleation theory to understand current consumption patterns from a more fundamental viewpoint. This work informs which types of energy-related activities a nation should pursue to most effectively meet energy needs while improving quality of life. Through the AHEAD-SAGES partnership, he is managing various student-driven energy research projects at the University of Southern Maine. He is also co-authoring a book on global energy transitions planning with Ben Ebenhack. Dr. Martínez earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering studying nucleation science through the University of Rochester and NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center.

 Mr. Venancio was invited to join Eduardo Mondlane  University's Chemical Engineering Department as an Instructor where he has taught more than 500 students.  In 1998, Mr. Venancio became a consultant to Mozambique's national oil and gas company, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH). He has been in charge of several studies on natural gas utilization in Mozambique. He has expertise in assessments of energy policies, planning of energy systems (liquid fuels supply, rural electrification, and natural gas utilization) and feasibility studies for energy projects. In 1992, Mr. Venancio completed his Chemical Engineering studies with distinction at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM). In 2008, he completed a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester.

 Mr. Chidamoio assumed a full-time position in 2001 as Lecturer of Chemical Engineering at UEM and a part-time teaching position at the High Institute of Science Technology of Mozambique. Mr. Chidamoio has conducted field research to garner data on energy consumption in Mozambique and on agricultural production systems with a focus on biofuels.  He earned his "Licenciatura" in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) in 2001.  In 2008, he earned a Masters of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester and has had advanced training in South Africa and Sweden.