BOSTON – The Board of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) voted to appoint Ben Downing as the next Chief Executive Officer. Downing is currently the Chief Growth Officer at The Engine, a nonprofit incubator and accelerator built by MIT to support climatetech, biotech, and advanced infrastructure startups. He also previously served as a State Senator representing the Berkshires and as Senate Chair of the Joint Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee.
“Massachusetts is home to some of the world’s leading climatetech companies, and many of their successes can be attributed to Ben Downing’s visionary leadership in the Legislature and the support he has spearheaded for startups at The Engine,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is deeply committed to growing our innovation economy. With strong support authorized under the Mass Leads Act, Ben will steer our climatetech industry and over 162,000 climatetech workers to its next chapter.”
“Today, Massachusetts’ climatetech and clean energy industry has deep roots in communities across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It’s unionized offshore wind workers on the South Coast, battery manufacturers in the Merrimack Valley, HVAC and solar installers throughout the state, and so much more. I know Ben will be looking out for those who will be building the solutions to climate change and lower energy bills in our communities.”
“I am thrilled to join MassCEC to lead this next, critical chapter and grateful to the Board, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and Secretary Tepper for the opportunity,” said Downing.