Benjamin Finkelor, Executive Director for UC Davis’ Energy and Efficiency Institute (EEI), will serve “on loan” to the California Energy Commission as a Special Advisor to Vice Chair Siva Gunda. The appointment starts February 1st and will extend for 14 months. Ben has been Executive Director of the EEI since its inception in 2016 (then the Energy and Efficiency Center). His leadership has helped the campus’ energy programs grow and advance over the past 15 years.
“Ben has played a tremendous role in developing and strengthening UC Davis’ energy research, education and engagement,” said Kelly Kissock, Faculty Director of the Energy and Efficiency Institute. “We have been fortunate to have him on our team and will miss him during his assignment. At the same time, we know that his work at the Commission will help us all further achieve our common goal of building a more sustainable, accessible, and resilient energy system and we are excited for him.”
While on loan to the Commission, Finkelor will continue to teach the Sustainable Energy Industry Immersion Course at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management in Winter quarters 2022 and 2023.
“I am honored to have this opportunity to support the California Energy Commission and Vice Chair Gunda and his team, especially as the State takes on the challenge of decarbonizing our energy in an equitable way, while maintaining safety and reliability,” Finkelor said. “It is a privilege to be able to contribute at such a critical time, and I’ll be delighted to bring my experiences back to UC Davis when I return.”
During Ben’s absence, Alan Meier will serve as Acting Executive Director. Alan is a Research Scientist at EEI, an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Environmental Science & Policy, and a Senior Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “I am pleased to take on this role for the Institute and look forward to continuing to engage with students, faculty, and partners to advance our work,” said Meier. When on campus, he will occupy Ben’s former office at 1605 Tilia Street.
