The Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC) has approved a new two-year strategic plan to accelerate the region’s cleantech economy and formed a 22-member advisory council to advise and implement it.

The advisory council comprises a mix of industry professionals and experts from cleantech companies and support organizations who offer both expertise and networks to move the cluster forward, according to RTCC Chairman Ed White, who also is chairman and CEO of Field2Base, Inc.

“The new program of work focuses our activities more narrowly on those things that are most important to our members – raising awareness locally and globally of the region’s impressive cleantech cluster and catalyzing business and job growth,” White said. “At the end of the day, everything we do is about job growth, job creation and expanding the critical mass of clean technology companies and assets we have in this region.”

Strategic Plan Goals

The 2014-2016 strategic plan outlines 16 action steps under three broad goals:

1. Lead a global marketing program that provides key business intelligence, builds the region’s brand as a global cleantech destination and positions cluster companies as thought and market leaders.

2. Promote cleantech business growth and enhance the region’s cleantech ecosystem through programs that attract talent and grants, introduce potential business partners and generate economic development projects.

3. Engage and convene cluster companies and partners in ways that promote innovation, support business development and demonstrate the world-leading innovations being developed by cluster members.

New initiatives over the next two years will focus on telling the region’s story globally to position the region as a world leader in cleantech talent, innovation, investment and impact; securing the talent pipeline by supporting talent and development programs; and demonstrating regional innovations and thought leadership in local projects and developments, White said.

Advisory Council

RTCC Advisory Council members are:

• Tim Baldwin, senior vice president, McKim & Creed

• Jeff Barghout, energy and mobility consultant

• Stephen Barrington, director of business services, Capital Area Workforce Development Board

• Farel Becker, business manager, substation automation, Siemens

• John Bluth, senior vice president, corporate communications, PowerSecure International

• Jenn Bosser, assistant executive director, Wake County Economic Development

• David Doctor, director, engagement and administration, Duke University Energy Initiative

• Alyssa Farrell, product marketing manager, SAS

• Michael Haley, project manager, Wake County Economic Development

• Bobbi Harris, consultant, Smart Water, Smart City

• Steve Kalland, executive director, N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center

• John Marriott, vice president, OSIsoft LLC

• Jim Nichols, business development leader, science and technology, O’Brien/Atkins Associates PA

• Stacey Perrow, corporate communications, Piedmont Natural Gas

• Ken Pierrehumbert, global alliance manager, Schneider Electric

• Gary Rackliffe, vice president, smart grids North America, ABB Inc.

• Vikram Rao, director, Research Triangle Energy Consortium

• Locke Raper, executive director marketing, BBG

• Nick Santore, director of electrical engineering, O’Brien/Atkins Associates PA

• Jaz Tunnell, senior manager, government relations, Piedmont Natural Gas

• Matt Zafuto, executive vice president, corporate strategy and business development, Sensus

The Advisory Council will drive that work plan, said council chair Matt Zafuto, executive vice president of corporate strategy and business development for Sensus, who also serves as vice chairman of the RTCC board.

“It’s exciting to see the work and collaboration that is occurring among our companies,” Zafuto said. “The innovation that comes from this work will impact not just North Carolina and the region, but the entire world.”

The RTCC is an initiative of business, government, academic and nonprofit leaders working to accelerate the region’s cleantech economy through collaboration and partnerships that promote innovation and sector growth.

The Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) formed and manages the RTCC with funding from industry board members ABB Inc., Cisco Systems, Duke Energy, Field2Base Inc., Itron Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas, Power Analytics Corp., PowerSecure International, RTI International, SAS, Schneider Electric, Sensus and Siemens and its members.