CALSTART Names New CEO With Pasadena Ties Amid Leadership Transition

CALSTART, a nonprofit clean transportation organization with offices in Pasadena, announced Tuesday, Oct. 14, that Michael Berube will become its next chief executive officer, effective Nov. 13. He succeeds John Boesel, who is retiring after a 30-year tenure with the organization, including 24 years as CEO.

The announcement was made in a press release issued jointly from Washington, D.C. and Pasadena. CALSTART, which manages more than $1 billion in vehicle incentive and technical assistance programs for the State of California, maintains offices in California, New York, Michigan, Colorado, Florida and Europe.

Berube, an MIT-trained transportation and civil engineer, previously held senior roles at Fiat Chrysler and Daimler-Chrysler, where he led product strategy and brought low-emissions technologies to market. He later served for a decade at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he helped establish the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and the Federal Consortium on Advanced Batteries.

According to the press release, Berube will focus on “driving initiatives aimed at solidifying the role of new affordable and clean transportation options for consumers and businesses through close industry partnerships.”

“It is a privilege to join CALSTART at such a profoundly pivotal moment in our industry,” Berube said in the statement. “Transportation is vital to the economy and to consumers’ everyday lives. It is at an inflection point and needs bold leadership to help secure the promise of lower-cost and low-emissions options that meet the needs of all Americans.”

Cynthia Williams, chair of CALSTART’s board of directors, said Berube’s blend of public and private sector experience made him an ideal candidate to lead the organization through a period of transformation in the clean transportation sector.

“Michael’s leadership is rooted in his blend of policy, technical, and sustainability expertise and propelled by his passion for energy efficiency,” Williams said.

Boesel, who has led CALSTART since 2001, said he was confident Berube would “do a great job in taking the organization to the next level and accelerating the growth of the U.S. clean transportation industry.”

CALSTART describes itself as a mission-driven industry organization focused on transportation decarbonization and clean air for all. It works with more than 210 member companies and leads a global effort to expand the zero-emission commercial vehicle market.