Board of Directors
Ben Ebenhack - Board Chair
Occupation: Associate Professor, Petroleum Engineering,
Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio
Education: M.S. and B.S. Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming (1984), Marietta College (1976)
Ben is the founder and Chairman of the Board of AHEAD Energy. Ben is an expert in oil and gas well log analysis, having evaluated domestic and international drilling projects for Unocal Corporation during his 12-year tenure with this company. He has taught at the University of Wyoming and Cal Poly - Pomona. He served on the Editorial Board for the UN's Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems: A Guide to Sustainable Developmental, authored a textbook on energy, and participates often in energy conferences, talks, debates, and radio talk shows. Ben's research focuses on energy transitions, especially in developing countries.
Education: M.S. and B.S. Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming (1984), Marietta College (1976)
Ben is the founder and Chairman of the Board of AHEAD Energy. Ben is an expert in oil and gas well log analysis, having evaluated domestic and international drilling projects for Unocal Corporation during his 12-year tenure with this company. He has taught at the University of Wyoming and Cal Poly - Pomona. He served on the Editorial Board for the UN's Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems: A Guide to Sustainable Developmental, authored a textbook on energy, and participates often in energy conferences, talks, debates, and radio talk shows. Ben's research focuses on energy transitions, especially in developing countries.
Karen Fields - Board Vice Chair
Occupation: Sociologist
Education: Ph.D. Sociology, Brandeis University—Sociology of Development, Sociology of Religion, Classical Sociological Theory (1977); M.A. Sociology, Brandeis University (1973); License ès Lettres (Sociology), Sorbonne (1968), Paris, France; B.A. Social Studies, Cum Laude, Radcliffe College (1967)
As the founding director of the University of Rochester's Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies (1986-1992), Karen was instrumental in creating AHEAD Energy. Karen is a distinguished academician, having taught at Brandeis University, Boston University, and in France and Tanzania. She has been the recipient of eight fellowships and published a number of works including a UN report on women in development and Revival and Rebellion in Colonial Central Africa.
Education: Ph.D. Sociology, Brandeis University—Sociology of Development, Sociology of Religion, Classical Sociological Theory (1977); M.A. Sociology, Brandeis University (1973); License ès Lettres (Sociology), Sorbonne (1968), Paris, France; B.A. Social Studies, Cum Laude, Radcliffe College (1967)
As the founding director of the University of Rochester's Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies (1986-1992), Karen was instrumental in creating AHEAD Energy. Karen is a distinguished academician, having taught at Brandeis University, Boston University, and in France and Tanzania. She has been the recipient of eight fellowships and published a number of works including a UN report on women in development and Revival and Rebellion in Colonial Central Africa.
David Johnston - Secretary
Occupation: Engineering Economics Consulting; Vice President of Operations, Daniel Johnston & Company, Inc., Hancock, NH
Education: BSEE University of Rochester; US Navy Submarine Service
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.
Education: BSEE University of Rochester; US Navy Submarine Service
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.
Ben Ausburn - Treasurer
Occupation: Petroleum Engineer, President/COO (retired); J. R. Butler Company, Houston, TX
Education: MS Geology Engineering University of Oklahoma (1961); B.S. Geology Engineering with Distinction, University of Oklahoma (1960)
A founding member of the AHEAD Energy , Brian brings a wealth of petroleum and business related experience. He spent 56 years working in the oil and gas industry, including work for Shell Oil Company and Amerada Petroleum Corporation. He was president of a substantial oil and gas consulting firm for many years. An expert in integrated reservoir descriptions and economic evaluation of petroleum properties, he has served a worldwide clientele. Brian has authored several publications on seismic and petroleum related topics and continues to be a member of over ten professional organizations.
Education: MS Geology Engineering University of Oklahoma (1961); B.S. Geology Engineering with Distinction, University of Oklahoma (1960)
A founding member of the AHEAD Energy , Brian brings a wealth of petroleum and business related experience. He spent 56 years working in the oil and gas industry, including work for Shell Oil Company and Amerada Petroleum Corporation. He was president of a substantial oil and gas consulting firm for many years. An expert in integrated reservoir descriptions and economic evaluation of petroleum properties, he has served a worldwide clientele. Brian has authored several publications on seismic and petroleum related topics and continues to be a member of over ten professional organizations.
Adam Costanza
Occupation: President, Institute of Forest BioTechnology, Raleigh, NC
Education: Master of Environmental Management; Nicholas School of the Environment (2001), Duke University, Durham, NY; B.A., Cum Laude, Highest Distinction; B.A. University of Rochester (1999), Rochester, NY
While an undergraduate at the University or Rochester, Adam served as a project manager for AHEAD Energy's work with the Seneca Nation of Indians (1996 -98). His Honors Thesis was "Energy options for sustainable development in Mozambique." His master's thesis focused on carbon sequestration. Prior to taking the position of President at Institute of Forest Biotechnology in 2006 Adam worked for International Paper Company (2001 to 2006) as Manager, Sustainability Program, EHS Customer & Regulatory Affairs & Climate Change. Adam joined the AHEAD Board of Directors in 2005.
Education: Master of Environmental Management; Nicholas School of the Environment (2001), Duke University, Durham, NY; B.A., Cum Laude, Highest Distinction; B.A. University of Rochester (1999), Rochester, NY
While an undergraduate at the University or Rochester, Adam served as a project manager for AHEAD Energy's work with the Seneca Nation of Indians (1996 -98). His Honors Thesis was "Energy options for sustainable development in Mozambique." His master's thesis focused on carbon sequestration. Prior to taking the position of President at Institute of Forest Biotechnology in 2006 Adam worked for International Paper Company (2001 to 2006) as Manager, Sustainability Program, EHS Customer & Regulatory Affairs & Climate Change. Adam joined the AHEAD Board of Directors in 2005.
Russell McDonald
Occupation: Marketing consultant, retired Xerox Corporation Senior Marketing Manager in the Office OEM Group
Education: B.S. in Industrial Technology and MBA from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut.
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.
Education: B.S. in Industrial Technology and MBA from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut.
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.
Bob Bechtold
Occupation: President of Harbec Plastics, Ontario, NY
Bob is founder and president of Harbec Plastics in Ontario, New York. Harbec is a progressive injection molding company that provides a full service of model making, precision mold making, and complex precision plastic injection molding. During the past 8 years Mr. Bechtold has developed and managed a cogeneration project, which currently produces all the electric power, heat, and air-conditioning required by his company. Harbec Plastics is one of the first companies in the world to successfully implement a completely micro-turbine powered cogeneration plant and has recently installed a 250 kW wind turbine and operates a business fleet of five alternative fuel vehicles. Bob serves on the Board of Directors of Clean Air/Cool Planet and the Regional Advisory Board of HSBC. In Bob's words, "Despite conventional wisdom, being greener does not mean being more expensive."
Bob is founder and president of Harbec Plastics in Ontario, New York. Harbec is a progressive injection molding company that provides a full service of model making, precision mold making, and complex precision plastic injection molding. During the past 8 years Mr. Bechtold has developed and managed a cogeneration project, which currently produces all the electric power, heat, and air-conditioning required by his company. Harbec Plastics is one of the first companies in the world to successfully implement a completely micro-turbine powered cogeneration plant and has recently installed a 250 kW wind turbine and operates a business fleet of five alternative fuel vehicles. Bob serves on the Board of Directors of Clean Air/Cool Planet and the Regional Advisory Board of HSBC. In Bob's words, "Despite conventional wisdom, being greener does not mean being more expensive."
Andrew Grimm
Occupation: Adjunct Professor, Marietta College
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University, (1968), MS Astonautical Engineering, University of Illinois (1976)
After a 20 year career in the US Air Force, retiring in 1990 as a Lieutenant Colonel, Andy has turned his attention to teaching with special interest in renewable energy. He has taught at West Virginia University, the University of Arizona, and performed research at NASA’s Manned Spaceflight Center. He is a member of the American Solar Energy Society, Green Energy Ohio, and West Virginia University (Parkersburg) Solar Energy Training Advisory Committee. He has been certified by North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners in the areas of photovoltaic systems installation, and solar thermal systems installation.
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University, (1968), MS Astonautical Engineering, University of Illinois (1976)
After a 20 year career in the US Air Force, retiring in 1990 as a Lieutenant Colonel, Andy has turned his attention to teaching with special interest in renewable energy. He has taught at West Virginia University, the University of Arizona, and performed research at NASA’s Manned Spaceflight Center. He is a member of the American Solar Energy Society, Green Energy Ohio, and West Virginia University (Parkersburg) Solar Energy Training Advisory Committee. He has been certified by North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners in the areas of photovoltaic systems installation, and solar thermal systems installation.
Sherrill Cleland - Board Member Emeritus
Occupation: Economist, Educator, President Emeritus, Marietta College
Education: LLD (honorary) Marietta College; PhD Princeton University; A.B. Oberlin 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.
Education: LLD (honorary) Marietta College; PhD Princeton University; A.B. Oberlin 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.
