Division Leaders

Alexandra Adler | Northeast Division

Alexandra is a skilled project manager, organizer and connector with a comprehensive understanding of the clean technology sector. Her enthusiasm for addressing the world’s energy and environmental challenges, for coordinating teams, and for connecting people to key resources and contacts to help them succeed led her to the Cleantech Open. Alexandra’s professional experience includes project management, communications and relationship management at both public and nonprofit organizations related to clean technology, energy and sustainability. In past roles she has overseen a wide range of projects including international trade missions, industry research and reports, new media communications and campaign organizing. Alexandra graduated with a degree in Sociology and Certificate in Environmental Policy from Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She enjoys practicing yoga, reading, eating Thai food, and watching TV sitcoms.

Richard Franklin | Central Division

Dick is Regional Director/Co-Founder for the Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open that is an integral part of the largest cleantech competition in the world.
CEO and Founder of Envirobrand helping mid size companies embark on “Triple Bottom Line” strategies and igniting social innovation for profitable gain.
Dick brings 35 years of CEO, COO, CSO, SVP level experience with corporations such as Reebok, Coors, Head Sports, Seven-Up, TCI, Nestle etc. His expertise is in strategic, organizational and process change transforms economic, environmental and social challenges into sustainable business models for the future. In 2008, the South Metro Chamber awarded Richard the “Volunteer Leader of the Year” award. In 2010, he was nominated for the “Governor’s Award for Cleantech Leadership.”

Joshua Greene | Southeast Division

Josh is a Partner and Deputy Chair of the Energy and Environment Practice at the Law firm of Patton Boggs LLP in Washington, D.C. His practice focuses on energy and sustainability policy and business planning, with a particular concentration on renewable and alternative energy development, biofuels, energy efficiency (including appliance and building standards, as well as energy-efficiency finance), and water technology. He maintains an extensive network of relationships both within and outside of our nation’s Capitol with a variety of corporate and non-governmental organizations in and around the country that look to him to assist in resolving complex policy and regulatory matters. Outside of his law firm activities Josh serves on a number of Boards including Maryland Clean Energy Center, the Chesapeake Crescent Initiative, the Renewable Energy Initiative, and the Maryland African-American Museum Corporation. He also serves as Chairman of the Anne Arundel County School Board Nomination Commission and Vice-Chair of the Charter Revision Commission of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Josh lives in Maryland with his wife, Monya Phillip, and their three children Jacob, Sophia, and Jonathan.

Justin Kaster | Midwest Division

Justin is a business innovation strategist, corporate development professional, and management advisor. Over the course of his career, he has worked with hundreds of companies and executed on over $2 billion of transactions.
Justin co-founded the Midwest division of Cleantech Open, which includes Midwest North and Midwest Central regions.
In 2011, Justin was named to Twin Cities Business magazine list of “200 Minnesotans You Should Know.” The list is a compilation of Industry Titans, Rising Stars, Agents of Change, Creative Geniuses and Local Sports Leaders and Celebrities. He is also an active member with community and industry organizations, including serving on the advisory board for two Department of Energy programs and DistribuTECH, a national cleantech conference.
Prior to Cleantech Open, Justin worked in a strategic and advisory capacity for companies larger and small, including recent roles at Cherry Tree & Associates in Minneapolis and Citigroup’s Mergers & Acquisitions group based out of New York City.

Erik Steeb | Western Division

Erik is co-founder and managing director of Segue Consulting, providing interim operations, marketing, finance and executive office leadership for early to mid-stage companies in cleantech and high-tech. Erik also serves on the executive committee of the First Look West DOE University Clean Energy Challenge and is the Western Division Head for the Cleantech Open, leading the organization’s Western US business. Through these organizations, Erik works with more than 100 early stage companies each year, honing their business strategies, connecting them business partners, customers and mentors and helping them secure venture funding.Prior to his move to cleantech, Mr. Steeb held senior management roles in high-tech marketing, sales and business development, most recently with Intel Corporation. At Intel, Erik led the company’s Europe, Middle East & Africa marketing organization, co-founded Intel’s alliances and business development organization and lead a worldwide sales division delivering over $6B in annual revenue to the company.
Erik holds a BS in Electrical Engineering with highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.