The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Pic Walker, ACE’s Executive Director, has been appointed to the ACE board.  Pic replaces Robert Haas, who had agreed to serve on ACE’s board during its start-up phase until a full-time Executive Director was in place. The Board thanks Robert Haas for his service, and his commitment to sustainability and climate science education.  Pic Walker has led ACE as its Executive Director since late 2009. ACE plans to continue to add 3-5 new board members committed to climate science education over the course of the next year.

Jim Eisen

Jim has been involved in the development, construction, financing and operation of utility-scale renewable energy facilities for over 20 years. He is currently Vice President and General Counsel for Orion Energy Group LLC, a wind and solar energy company based in Oakland, California.  He previously served as Vice President and General Counsel for Kenetech Corporation and its wind energy subsidiary, Kenetech Windpower.  Jim was also Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Catellus Development Corporation, a commercial real estate developer based in San Francisco.

Jim was a member of the initial Board of Directors of the American Wind Wildlife Institute  (AWWI) from 2008 to 2010. AWWI is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between 20 of the nation’s top science-based conservation and environmental groups and wind energy companies.  Its purpose is to facilitate timely and responsible development of wind energy while protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat.

Before entering the wind energy business, Jim was a corporate lawyer at law firms in San Francisco and New York.  He received a law degree from New York University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from MIT.

Jim enjoys hiking, jogging, and foreign travel with his wife and three children.

Michael Haas, Chairman of the Board

Michael Haas is the Founder of Orion Energy Group LLC (Orion), Co-Founder of Renewable Development Company Ltd. (RDC), and the Founder of Alliance for Climate Education. Orion was formed in 1998 to help meet the growing worldwide demand for low cost, non-polluting renewable energy. Orion’s projects completed to date generate enough zero-carbon electricity to meet the annual electricity demand of approximately 650,000 average US homes. RDC was formed in 1997 near Chester, England to help achieve commitments set by the United Kingdom for new alternative energy generation. In the UK, RDC has completed projects that will generate enough zero-carbon electricity to meet the annual electricity demand of approximately 300,000 average UK homes. Prior to forming Orion and RDC, Mike held various positions with KENETECH Corporation and McDonnell Douglas Corporation. Mike received his Bachelors Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1987, and his Masters Degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Stanford University in 1990.

Mike is active in numerous community organizations, and has also served on several Boards of Directors. Mike was born in the midwest, and now lives in Northern California with his wife and three children. He spends his free time outdoors with his family.

Pic Walker, Executive Director

Pic has dedicated his career to preserving our environment. Drawing on a diverse background in education, business consulting, management and environmental science, Pic brings a mixture of experience to play in developing and leading ACE’s strategy and organizational development. He believes education is foundational to creating any positive change in the world.

Most recently, Pic worked at Blu Skye, a strategic consulting firm which develops sustainable business strategies for Fortune 500 clients. Prior to that, Pic worked at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation leading research and development efforts for the Environment team. During his tenure at Moore Foundation, he co-developed the Wild Salmon Ecosystem Initiative, a $200+ million effort to improve the long-term sustainability of wild Pacific Salmon. Pic started his career teaching environmental studies and English at the Canterbury School in Connecticut.

Pic is a a certified NOLS instructor and worked previously with several non-profit organizations, including Rainforest Action Network. He was born and raised in New England, and now raises his three kids - Zelle, Kacy, and Mac - in Northern California with his wife Heather. Pic holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.B.A in sustainable enterprise from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is a card carrying member of Red Sox Nation.