Category: Lite

About Commissioner Nancy Skinner

Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2025, Commissioner Nancy Skinner serves on the California Energy Commission, where she holds the engineer/scientist seat. She leads the Commission’s work on clean transportation, port decarbonization, and industrial emissions reduction—advancing policies that promote sustainability, innovation, and environmental justice.

Commissioner Skinner brings decades of experience in climate and energy policy, including 14 years representing the East Bay in the California Legislature, both as a state senator and assemblymember. During her tenure, she was a driving force behind California’s efforts to expand clean energy, electrify buildings, accelerate zero-emission vehicle adoption, and ensure that environmental benefits reach underserved communities. Her legislative leadership helped cement California’s role as a national leader in climate action and clean transportation.

Before her time in the Legislature, Skinner served on the Berkeley City Council and held senior positions with organizations including The Climate Group and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, where she worked to advance local and international climate initiatives.

A lifelong advocate for environmental progress and equity, Commissioner Skinner holds a B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies and an M.A. in Education from the University of California, Berkeley.

About John Boesel

John Boesel is President and CEO of CALSTART, Inc., a national nonprofit working to accelerate the transition to clean and efficient transportation solutions. With over 29 years of experience in the clean transportation sector, John is a leading expert in the field. Under his leadership since 2001, CALSTART has grown from a California nonprofit into an international organization with over 250 member companies and counting, from startups to Fortune 100 firms. In the past three years, the organization has doubled in size to more than 200 full-time employees with offices across the United States and The Netherlands.

CALSTART plays a key role in shaping clean transportation policy, advocating for strong vehicle efficiency and emission standards in California and nationwide. In 2022, CALSTART managed incentive programs for the State of California, distributing approximately $750 million in funds. In 2021, CALSTART helped facilitate a global agreement where 15 nations committed to strong zero-emission commercial vehicle targets.

John also leads the CALSTART Investor Council, which connects venture capitalists, pension funds, and corporate investors to accelerate funding for clean transportation innovation. Previously, John worked in commercial banking, and as a legislative aide for former California Assemblyman Sam Farr. John holds a B.A. from UC Davis and an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.