Colorado Cleantech Announces New Officers

Online, January 26, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) has announced its 2012 board chair and vice chair appointments: Charles R. (Chas) Eggert as chairman, and Steve Hane as vice chairman.

Eggert assumes the chairmanship from Ron Bernal of NEA Capital. Bernal was the founding Chairman of the CCIA and led the CCIA to become one of most influential cleantech organizations in the region. Eggert and Hane, both CCIA founding board members, will fulfill traditional roles on the trade association board and bring unique cleantech and venture capital experience to the positions.

Eggert is President and CEO of OPX Biotechnologies, a company that uses proprietary Leading EDGE™ technology to produce bio-derived chemicals that are economical and sustainable. Prior to leading OPX Biotechnologies, Eggert was the president of Specialty Polymers Group, a $500 million revenue division of Akzo Nobel. He began his career with Monsanto Company where he progressed through a variety of leadership roles. Eggert also serves as a board director of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), and is a founding director and past vice chairman of CCIA.

"Serving as board chair is a great opportunity to actively support CCIA in our mission to lead the development of the cleantech industry as an important economic growth engine for Colorado," said Eggert. "I look forward to working with Chris Shapard, CCIA's executive director, vice chair Steve Hane, and our entire board to fulfill our mission."

Hane will serve as the Vice Chair for CCIA's board. Hane is currently president and CEO of Ampulse, a solar PV company that focuses on high-efficiency, low-cost crystalline-silicon thin-film solar photovoltaic technology. Hane has served in advisory capacities for several entrepreneurship efforts including the advisory board of the University of Colorado's Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, and is a founding board member of CCIA.

"It's great to bring the perspective of the venture capital-backed entrepreneur to the CCIA through this board leadership role," said Hane. "Not only do I hope to represent that community, but as a member, I benefit from the collaborative efforts of the board in furthering CCIA's goals and mission to position Colorado as a frontrunner in cleantech."

Both Eggert and Hane bring extensive executive and investment capital management experience to the cleantech industry.

"We're excited to have such esteemed business executives assuming leadership of our board and bringing such a wealth of industry, fundraising and venture capital knowledge," said Christine Shapard, Executive Director of CCIA. "The benefits will be great for CCIA as a whole and all our members."

About CCIA
The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association represents the interests of the state's cleantech industry. Its mission is to further establish Colorado as a world leader in clean technology by providing representation and advocacy, a unified voice, relevant programming and capacity development. For more information, visit http://www.coloradocleantech.com.

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