Advisory Board (listed alphabetically)

Linda Gray, Actor, Environmentalist and Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda is an award winning actress, an accomplished director, a United Nations Ambassador and one of the world’s most recognized and admired stars. She is actively involved in world conservation and environmental issues and took part in the CBS environmental special, WHAT ABOUT ME … I’M ONLY THREE. A supporter of many worthwhile causes, Linda has most recently been using her celebrity status to help promote and crusade for truly clean and sustainable energy, particularly bio-fuels.

Ron Grey, Modern Alloys, President and CEO, Established in 1963, Modern Alloys is one of California’s oldest highway contractors.  Ron brings years of ‘hands-on’ highway infrastructure experience and was chosen as the contractor to upgrade and install California’s solar powered emergency call-boxes. Modern Alloys is an active member of the Association of General Contractor’s (AGC)

Gene (Hydrogene) Johnson, VP Business Development of H2 Motor Works, Gene is a well known California 'crusader' for all forms of sustainable energy.  In addition to his involvement with H2 Motor Works, he is also the Editorial Director of H2 Nation Magazine.  He also serves on the Board of Directors for the California Hydrogen Business Council (Former) and is a California Hydrogen Highway Education Panel Member, as well as Principal of Worlds Nest/Angels Nest, as well as serving on the Advisory Panel of the University of California Merced.

Kenneth A. Jonak, P.E., Ken Jonak retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation after 35 years of service.  At the time of his retirement, he had reached position of Engineer of Operations.  He served on the Freeway Operations committee of the Transportation Research Board, the Intelligent Transportation Society Midwest Board of Directors, and is a member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers and the Illinois Association of Highway Engineers.  Mr. Jonak holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois.

Peter Lavaute, President of Ecosense Solutions, LLC, Ecosense is a product development and consulting firm specializing in “alternative energy and construction systems.”  He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the 501c3 non-profit Institute of Ecolonomics.  The Institute was founded by Dennis and Gerry Weaver.  The mission of the Institute of Ecolonomics is to demonstrate that creating a mutually beneficial relationship between a strong economy and a healthy ecology is the only formula for a sustainable future. Peter studied Agricultural Economics at Cornell University College of Agriculture.  For fifteen years he operated a horse-breeding farm near Centralia, Missouri.  During that time he had a Therapeutic and Corrective Farrier (Horseshoeing) practice, both private and in conjunction with the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Center.  

Stephen T. Olson, Partner with the firm of Harness, Dickey & Pierce, where he has practiced in the area of intellectual property for 15 years.  His practice involves the representation of well-established and emerging technology companies in all facets of intellectual property.  Stephen is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Patent Law Association, Oakland County Patent Law Association, University of Michigan College of Engineering Alumni Association and is registered to practice: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan.

Richard L Petrucha, Custom Bookkeeping, President EA, ABA, Custom Bookkeeping prides itself upon a tradition of service, technical expertise, and innovative thinking to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.  Rick graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois.  Rick was elected the President of the Independent Accountants Association of Michigan in September 2005 for a 2-year term.  In addition to AAM he is affiliated with ACAT, NSA, and the NATP.

Dr. Mulchand S. Rathod, Registered Professional Engineer, Dr. Rathod is active in ASME at regional and national levels, in SME, and in ASEE-ETD and ETC organizations. He has numerous publications and inventions, and is listed in several Who's Who publications.  He has received Certificates of Appreciation from ASME every year since 1982, as well as Certificates of Recognition from NASA and IBM for Technological Innovation and is a recipient of numerous grants and contracts from industry and government.

Steve Tokarz, President & COO of BDT LightSource, a MI startup company focused on energy saving induction lighting products.  Steve spent the last 20 years working in project, product and business development previously  as Sr. Director, Product Dev/Eng for Masco Corp, a Fortune 200 company.  During that tenure he managed engineering departments, established and implemented quality management & operations systems, and created organizational structures for Innovation, Marketing, Product and Business Development.  He possesses a broad range of technical know-how as well as an intuitive perspective on the market and the business opportunities that can be attained in the market.  Steve earned a B.S.E in Engineering Physics/Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA in General Administration and Finance from Indiana University.

Last modified: 10/10/11