Mission

The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition is a united group of industry, academic, and government leaders working collectively to strengthen Ohio's fuel cell industry and to accelerate the transformation of the industry to global leadership in fuel cell technology and applications.

View complete list of members.

Guiding Principles

The Coalition was established to ensure Ohio's presence both regionally and nationally in current fuel cell discussions and will work to:

• Build upon existing industry and academic strengths of research and development, advanced manufacturing, advanced materials technologies, components, and services to advance the integration of a coordinated, robust fuel cell infrastructure and supply chain.
• Promote public awareness about the positive role fuel cell technology can play as an efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible source of energy in a wide variety of applications.
• Expand networking and information sharing opportunities that lead to greater alliances and understanding of the economic opportunities available to Ohio organizations.
• Encourage federal funding that will leverage state resources in the development of fuel cell technology and the locating of commercial development, manufacturing assets, and job creation in Ohio.

Organization

OFCC is a 501(c)(6) organization incorporated in Cleveland, Ohio.  We are co-located in Cleveland with NorTech (the Northeast Ohio Technology Council), which provides administrative support to OFCC.  

OFCC is governed by a 21 member Board of directors.

Beginning October 15 2008, Pat Valente, who for many years has been a leading proponent of Ohio's fuel cell industry through his work on behalf of the Ohio Department of Development, will play a larger role in its future growth in the position of interim Executive Director. This appointment represents the OFCC Board of Directors' commitment to maximizing Ohio's industry leadership, fostering active participation in collaborative opportunities, and increasing awareness of Ohio's industry cluster through advocacy and marketing outreach.

Pat is currently vice president of Hicks Partners, where he provides business advisory and public policy consulting services to the firm's clients in the fields of advanced materials, energy, bioscience, information technology, instruments controls and electronics, power and propulsion, entrepreneurship and economic development.

For the last 16 years, Valente's career has included serving as Deputy Director and Assistant Deputy for the Ohio Department of Development's Technology and Economic Development Divisions. Valente most recently served as the top fuel cell advisor to Lt. Governor and Ohio Department of Development Director Lee Fisher. Valente is one of the key architects of the nationally recognized Third Frontier Program and has been the leading advocate for the development of Ohio's fuel cell industry. He also has played an instrumental role in the success of the Entrepreneurial Signature Program (ESP) to foster collaboration and change for regional economic and development entities.

Valente received his B.S. degree in Geography from Kent State University.

Ken Alfred, who had been Executive Director of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition since its formation in 2003. will be moving on to pursue other career opportunities after assisting with a transitional phase through November. Ken's dedication and skills in guiding the OFCC through its early stages are gratefully acknowledged by the Board. We look forward to the many opportunities these changes will bring.

Ben Keller supports the technology needs of OFCC through his role as Director of Information Technology at JumpStart.  Prior to JumpStart, Ben served for eight years as the Program Director for JumpStart's predecessor organization, Enterprise Development, Inc (EDI), where he managed fundraising and recognition events including The Weatherhead 100, and the NorTech Innovation Awards. Ben graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College with a BS in Mathematics and a BM in Music (Cello) and continues his work on the side as a chamber musician.