Board of Directors

Board of directors

The expertise we provide is sourced from within and beyond our office walls.

Michael Shoys

Former Senior Vice President and COO, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Chairman, Technology Investment Fund Board

Mr. Baffa is an executive at Most, Inc. and Kentucky Smelting Technology, two business units of Toyota Tsusho America. He is responsible for the overall business and operations of Toyota's secondary aluminum smelting facilities in Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky. Before this, Mr. Baffa spent 24 years with Modine and held several positions there throughout his tenure. From 1985 to 1994, Mr. Baffa was in Modine's corporate purchasing department. In 1988 he was named Director with responsibility for all of Modine's purchasing activities and in 1993 was tasked with global responsibility when Modine made a major acquisition in Germany to expand their presence in the European markets. From 1995–1998, Mr. Baffa was operations manager for Modine's Heavy Duty and Industrial Division, where he had responsibility for five major manufacturing facilities. In late 1998, as the fuel cell industry was attracting a great deal of attention throughout the industry, he was asked to study and evaluate Modine's potential prospects in this area. At Mr. Baffa's suggestion, Modine formed a Fuel Cell group in 2000 to focus on the emerging market opportunities presented by the fuel cell industry. Modine is recognized as the leader in providing innovative thermal management solutions to both the fuel cell and hydrogen infrastructure industries. Mr. Baffa has a BA degree in Microbiology from the University of Montana.

TIM Boldt

bio coming soon.

Masood Akhtar, Ph.D

President and Founder

Key Expertise: An energy entrepreneur with over 30 years of research, development, commercialization, marketing, technology transfer, investment, and management experience in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

FULL BIO

Masood Akhtar, Ph.D., is a powerhouse in the field of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability. With over 35 years of experience spanning research, development, commercialization, marketing, technology transfer, investment and management, Masood has left an indelible mark on the industry. As the President and Founder of CleanTech Partners (CTP), Masood has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at accelerating the adoption of energy-technologies by providing capital and other assistance critical for deployment.

One of Masood's notable achievements was securing a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Energy and Wisconsin, signaling a commitment to energy efficiency in the state's industrial sector. Masood also recruited the first 13 industry CEOs (9 from Wisconsin) who signed the DOE's Save Energy Now Leader's Pledge (now Better Building, Better Plants) to reduce energy intensity by 25% in 10 years (currently over 300 Leaders nationwide), secured near $200 million recovery money from DOE to deploy "shovel" ready industrial energy efficiency and sustainability projects, and was instrumental in getting Wisconsin Bipartisan Paper Caucus established where elected officials of both parties and various industry leaders serve to revitalize pulp and paper industry in Wisconsin (#1 in the country) - a Proactive approach than a Reactive Approach.

Masood's influence extends beyond business, as evidenced by his involvement in policy and advisory roles. On request of the U.S. Congress, Masood has also testified before a committee on energy related issues. Masood also served as the Chair of the Forest Research Advisory Committee that advises the USDA Agricultural Secretary on funding and policy issues. The U.S. Representative Mark Pocan also appointed Masood on his "Higher Education" Commitee. Masood has credibility and strong working relationships with the DOE, USDA , the White House, and elected officials. Masood was appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin on a committee to help write "Grow Wisconsin plan", and on another committee that advised the Midwest Governors on "creating jobs in the new energy economy". Masood proposed an organized an "Energy Efficiency and Sustainability" meeting at the Wisconsin Public Service Commission with various industry leaders from energy-intensive industries, presidents of trade associations, and various state secretaries with focus on industry needs and how various state agencies can work together to help them achieve their energy efficiency and sustainability goals. The Governor of Wisconsin also appointed Masood on Governor's Task Force on Student Debt, as one of his commissioners to help establish a public private Green Fund, and on the Governor's Council on Workforce Investment. His credibility and relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies and elected officials, have been instrumental in driving positive change in the energy sector.

Masood's relentless dedication to advancing energy efficiency and sustainability has earned him numerous awards and accolades, including recognition from government agencies and industry organizations such as the USDA Honor Award for Environmental Protection from the USDA Secretary in Washington, D.C for developing energy saving technologies; Federal Laboratory Consortium Award; U.S. Forest Service Chief's Awards for Excellence in Technology Transfer; and Wisconsin Small Business Innovation Award for Outstanding Achievements. Masood was also elected as a Fellow by the International Academy of Wood Science, UK.

With a Ph.D. in Botany and a background in post-doctoral research at the Ohio State University, and his extensive publication record and patented technologies attest to his expertise and innovation. Masood was one of the 50 Indian students (out of 60,000) who was awarded the Government of India Fellowship for Higher Studies Abroad.

Masood's responsibilities at CTP include managing all CTP activities, including contracts; providing strategic guidance; serving as a liaison between CTP and state and federal agencies; helping leverage resources with other state, federal, and private resources; helping arrange meetings with industry leaders; and serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors of CTP.