Ben Finkelor serves as Executive Director for EEI, where he’s worked since it was founded in 2006 as the Energy Efficiency Center. Ben also serves as a Senior Advisor on Climate Solutions to the Vice-Provost on Grand Challenges. Prior to joining UC Davis, he served in a variety of roles within the clean technology sector, including Director of Business Development for Sierra Energy, interim Executive Director for CleanStart (a Sacramento-based business incubator supporting local clean energy technology ventures and entrepreneurs), and as a cleantech analyst for the private equity arm of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). During 2022 and 2023, he spent 16 months on-loan to the CA Energy Commission, serving as Chief of Staff for Vice Chair Siva Gunda.

Ben earned an MBA from the UC Davis Graduate School of Management and an emphasis in corporate environmental management through the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara. He earned an undergraduate degree from UC San Diego, where he studied Communications and Environmental Science. When he’s not working, Ben enjoys time with family, hiking, backpacking, and playing and coaching ultimate frisbee.