Introducing the 2025 Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Symposium Presenters
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
JACK BROUWER, PH.D.
University of California, Irvine
Professor, Chancellor’s Fellow: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine
Director: Clean Energy Institute
Presentation: Electrification is important; then we must add hydrogen
(abstract here)
Prof. Brouwer is an energy system dynamics expert with research interests in renewable energy systems; dynamic simulation and control; energy system thermodynamics, design, and integration; electrochemical conversion devices and systems such as fuel cells, electrolyzers and batteries; hydrogen production, storage and conversion systems; hydrogen transmission, distribution, and dispensing; and electrochemical reactions with concurrent heat, mass and momentum transfer. Prof. Brouwer obtained his M.S. and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UCI and his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Post-Doc in Chemical Engineering at MIT.
BRIAN HICKS
Hicks Partners, LLC
President and CEO
Participant in Government Affairs Advocacy Panel
Brian Hicks is President & CEO of Hicks Partners, LLC, a multidisciplinary business consulting firm providing government affairs, public relations, economic development and grant writing services. Since forming the company in 2003, Hicks has developed and executed strategies to help hundreds of clients – large and small – achieve their public policy goals.
Hicks also founded and served as Managing Director of MidAmerican Global Ventures, LLC, a global business consulting firm that promotes foreign investment in the United States from 2013-2020.
Prior to becoming a successful business owner, Brian Hicks had a long career as a public affairs official in a variety of key roles in federal and state government and on local, state and national political campaigns.
Considered to be among “Ohio’s most powerful unelected officials” (according to the Associated Press, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Columbus Dispatch), Hicks was involved in virtually every aspect of managing the State of Ohio while serving as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ohio. Hicks also served as Deputy Secretary of State of Ohio and as Senior Legislative Adviser for a U.S. Member of Congress.
Hicks served on The Ohio State University Board of Trustees from 2004-2013 and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Marburn Academy until 2021. He also served as Chairman of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors until 2025.
Hicks is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he was elected president of the Undergraduate Student Government, representing more than 50,000 students.
CONNOR DOLAN
Fuel Cell Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA)
Vice President of External Affairs
Participant in Government Affairs Advocacy Panel
Mr. Dolan has worked for FCHEA since 2010 building relationships and connections across the public and private sector to support the growth and development of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. Mr. Dolan has successfully advocated for establishment of clean hydrogen infrastructure programs, development of hydrogen and fuel cell tax policies, and expansion of hydrogen and fuel cell research and development funding within the Department of Energy.
Mr. Dolan has significant experience in trade association management and subject matter expertise in the fuel cell and hydrogen industry and related policy developments. Prior to FCHEA, Mr. Dolan worked for the U.S. Fuel Cell Council and Methanol Institute.
Mr. Dolan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Christopher Newport University and an MPA and Nonprofit Management Certificate from Virginia Commonwealth University.
MATT ULRICH
RedHawk Energy Systems
Part-Owner and Technical Sales Assistant
Presentation: RedHawk Energy’s Fuel Cell Journey – From Theory to Mass Deployment
Matt Ulrich is currently a technical sales associate and part owner of RedHawk Energy Systems, LLC. RedHawk Energy Systems, LLC is an ISO 9001-2015 certified manufacturer and value-added subsidiary of the Arthur N. Ulrich Company based in Pataskala, OH. Since the early 1980’s, RedHawk Energy has helped commercial and industrial customers tackle their critical prime and back-up power challenges with innovative solutions (solar & wind, fuel cells, stirling engines, thermoelectric generators, ultracapacitors and much more) ranging from a few watts to several kilowatts. Matt has over 17 years of experience in the critical power space and enjoys helping his customers adopt new technology.
WILLIAM A. (BILL) WHITTENBERGER, BSME, MBA, PE
Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Coalition
Executive Director
Presentation: Our Coalition is Strong!
In 2018 Bill retired as Site and Technology Director of Johnson Matthey PTI in Ravenna, OH. In the years since, he has done a variety of consulting through Brite Energy Innovators and others, mostly advising entrepreneurs and technology startups.
Johnson Matthey acquired the assets of Catacel Corp. in September 2014. Bill founded Catacel in 2001 with two partners, intending to develop and commercialize catalyst materials and systems using metal foil substrates. The Catacel business achieved success by providing heat exchange and catalyst solutions to numerous fuel cell system integrators and several Fortune-100 specialty customers. During those years, Bill had a significant involvement with the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition, including a two year term as Chairman.
For 15 years before Catacel, Bill developed foil based catalyst technology for numerous emission control applications at Camet Co. and Engelhard Corp. He holds 64 US Patents in the field of foil supported catalysts.
Bill earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University, and his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Ohio.