SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Nov. 4, 2009 (Marketwire) --
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/04/09 -- The Cleantech Open today released the line-up of keynote speakers and presenters for its Grand Expo & Awards Gala at the Masonic Center in San Francisco, on November 17. Dubbed the "Academy Awards of Clean Technology," the event marks the grand finale of the Cleantech Open's yearlong business competition. The event showcases the boldest in clean technology, the most nation's most ambitious entrepreneurs, and the brightest, most engaged investors, venture capitalists and prospective technology customers. In addition, a roster of thought leaders in clean technology, green policy, ecology, investment strategy and entrepreneurship will set the stage for the day's proceedings.
Speakers and presenters include:
Bill Weihl
As Green Energy Czar at Google, Weihl leads efforts in energy efficiency and renewable energy while managing Google's greenhouse gas footprint.
Dennis Hightower
Deputy Secretary of Commerce, and a seasoned business executive with a 40-year career in the public and private sectors, Hightower is responsible for ensuring that the Department of Commerce leads the way in government efficiency, effectiveness, and performance management.
Steve Westly
Prior to founding The Westly Group, Westly served as the controller and chief fiscal officer of the state of California. During his four-year term, he led an effort to commit more than $1 billion to clean technology investments. He also served as the California co-chair for the Obama for President Campaign in 2008.
Gil Friend
CEO and president at Natural Logic, Friend is a systems ecologist and business strategist with 35 years' experience in business, communications, and environmental innovation.
Lesa Mitchell
As vice president of innovation at Kauffman Foundation, Mitchell has been responsible for the Foundation's frontier work in understanding the policy levers that influence the advancement of innovation from universities into the commercial market.
The most prestigious and influential cleantech event of the year
Gala presenters will join hundreds of finalist and alumni companies, along with thousands of clean technology supporters and enthusiasts, for a day that will immerse them in networking, discovery and funding. The event opens with an exposition floor filled more than 120 cleantech companies, followed by a series of presentations and pitches from Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition finalists from around the world. The afternoon continues with the main awards ceremony, in which the 2009 National Cleantech Open Winner will be announced and presented with a $250,000 prize package. Afterward, the Expo floor will reopen for continued networking opportunities.
