External Advisory Board

The Institute Advisory Board advises the University of Maryland on the management of the Institute and consists of nine members: 1) the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Clean Energy Center; 2) the Director of the Institute; and seven members selected by the University of Maryland based on expertise in energy technology commercialization, the clean energy industry, venture capital financing, and energy research.

Adjunct Professor, Columbia University in the City of New York
Principal and Co-Founder, Vicaris Energy and Technology
Formerly General Manager - The Americas, Global CCS Institute
Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy, U.S. DOE (retired)
 

Dr. Victor K. Der completed a distinguished 37-year career of leadership, achievement, and promoting international cooperation in science, research and development at the United States Department of Energy. He retired as Assistant Secretary (acting) for Fossil Energy, with responsibilities for office operations and managing the oversight of Fossil Energy's Research and Development program, which includes one of the world’s foremost coal and carbon capture research efforts, as well as the vitally important U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Dr. Der also served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, where he helped provide strategic planning, direction, and guidance for FE’s daily activities, as well as its long-term goals and objectives.

During his DOE career, he developed and implemented several key programs within the Office of Fossil Energy. Prior to becoming the Principal Deputy, he was Deputy Assistant Secretary forClean Coal, where he was responsible for directing clean coal R&D. Included in these responsibilities were implementation of energy technology and policy initiatives relating to clean coal utilization and its role in climate change mitigation, carbon capture and storage, and fuel cells. His earlier positions at DOE also included management of programs in advanced nuclear energy, nuclear waste management, superconductivity, and magnetohydrodynamics.

As General Manager for the Americas at the Global Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Institute,he was responsible for the operations and membership in the Americas regional office which focused on programs for promoting CCS through policy advocacy, thought leadership forums and knowledge dissemination.

Vic is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia.

He also is a principal co-founder of Vicaris Energy and Technology, LLC, a venture capital entity focusing on new technology start-ups, and advising domestic and international clients instrategic low-carbon energy technology, projects and policy.

He holds a bachelor of science, a master of science, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland and is based in the greater metropolitan area of Washington, D.C.

 

Cell Development Manager, Saft America

Patrick McGrath is the Program Director for Climate Tech at The Schmidt Family Foundation.  Pat has spent his career in R&D for low-carbon energy technologies.  Most recently, Pat has served as an advisor to climate tech companies and investment funds across a range of sectors and development stages.  Pat was previously the Deputy Director for Technology at ARPA-E in the U.S. Department of Energy, where he led a diverse staff of technical and commercialization experts to develop and deploy next-generation energy technologies.  In his time at ARPA-E, Pat oversaw new program initiatives in long duration energy storage, advanced fission and fusion technologies, flexible carbon capture, advanced grid optimization, renewable generation, and low-GHG agriculture.  Prior to ARPA-E, Pat served as a technical advisor to DARPA on power and energy technologies for defense applications.  Pat completed a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and a BS in Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia.

Siemens Corporate Technology
755 College Rd E
Princeton, NJ 08540

 

CEO, Maryland Tech Council

Kelly Schulz is the CEO of the Maryland Tech Council, the largest technology and life science trade association in the state. As Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Labor, she witnessed firsthand Maryland’s global leadership in technology and life science innovation. She also served as a Maryland state delegate from 2011-2015.

Director, Maryland Energy Administration
 

Ian Ullman was selected by Governor Moore to head the Maryland Energy Administration in November 2025. His specialties include:  Environmental Law, Administrative Law, Energy Policy, Climate Policy, Legislation

Prior to his appointment as director, he served as the Senior Energy Advior for the Maryland Energy Administration, and as Chief of Staff for the Maryland General Assembly from 2008 - 2013.

 
 
 

 

Chair of the Maryland Clean Energy Center Board 
CEO - Gridwise Alliance

Dr. Wayland serves as the CEO of the GridWise Alliance. Through her business, kW Energy Strategies, she has been providing strategic consulting on grid modernization policy, coalition building and communications for major clean energy companies, national environmental organizations, local officials, and foundations. At the U.S. Department of Energy during the Obama Administration, she established a team for Secretary Moniz to conduct analyses and develop strategies for DOE’s work with states, local authorities, sand tribes. 

Vice-President of Corporate Strategy, Constellation

Wright is the Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Constellation. She is responsible for the development of the enterprise strategy at Constellation, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy and the leading competitive supplier of energy products and services to 2 million homes and businesses across the United States. In this role, Wright also advances new technologies, policies, and business model transformations through partnerships, grants and research and development. Prior to this role, Wright served as Director of Corporate Strategy; Chief of Staff to William A. Von Hoene, Jr., Exelon’s Chief Strategy Officer; and held roles in Government Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy at Exelon. 


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