CleanStart Expands Board
This month, CleanStart enhanced our board by adding 3 new members: Kiara Reed, Dan Keollen, and Brian Hoblit. We are excited about the new possibilities their experience brings to our mission to grow the clean tech community and to support the acceleration of clean tech startups.
Kiara Reed is a digital media professional and community advocate based in Sacramento. In her current role with Comstock’s Magazine, a local award-winning business publication, Reed oversees marketing efforts, digital management and community engagement. In addition to serving on the CleanStart board, Kiara is also an executive board member of the Oak Park-based nonprofit, Green Tech Education and Employment. She volunteers her time with other Oak Park community organizations, including the Oak Park Neighborhood Association and Oak Park Promise Neighborhood.
Dan Koellen is a veteran of more than 25 years of the high technology and semiconductor industries. Dan has mentored and invested in several Sacramento area startup companies including two companies that have gone public. He is a board member of several Sacramento nonprofits focused on a variety of areas, including technology, economic development community support, and world class botanical gardens. In support of his commitment to excellence in STEM, Dan also volunteers his time to the University of Wisconsin as the development chair for the Astronomy Department Board of Visitors and as an adviser to the Applied Math, Engineering and Physics program.
Brian Hoblit is a Business Development Officer for U.S. Bank’s commercial lending division and is passionate about helping companies in Sacramento and the broader Central Valley region grow through debt financing and other financial services. Brian’s educational background includes advanced degrees in environmental engineering and business. He has held a variety of positions in banking, finance, clean technology and water resources.
“For my entire adult life, I’ve been passionate that sustainable business and economic growth are not mutually exclusive but mutually beneficial. The CleanStart Board can have an impact in helping the Sacramento region become one of the hubs for sustainable businesses which will result in great jobs and helping the region become a national leader in an important and growing sector of our economy. I’m very excited to be part of the Board and looking forward to the journey.”
-Brian Hoblit
“I am pleased to join CleanStart Sacramento to further support the development of clean technologies within our region and connect communities of color with recourse to participate and create environmentally forward initiatives.”
-Kiara Reed
“I joined CleanStart board because Clean Tech still matters and is an important part of the Sacramento region’s economy. ”
-Dan Koellen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thomas is the Executive Director of CleanStart. Thomas has a strong background in supporting small businesses, leadership, financial management and is proficient in working with nonprofits. He has a BS in Finance and a BA in Economics from California State University, Chico. Thomas has a passion for sustainability and a commitment to supporting non-profits in the region.
CleanStart Sponsors
Weintraub | Tobin, EY, BlueTech Valley, GT Law
Moss AdamsPowerSoft.biz, Revrnt, Momentum
College of Engineering & Computer Science at Sacramento State
