Edward Rios brings a combination of technical and financial expertise that gives him a unique perspective on how an innovative energy technology can be successfully deployed on a commercial scale, a perspective that meshes well with the Office of Technology Transitions’ (OTT’s) mission. He currently serves as OTT’s hydrogen and nuclear sector lead where he engages with internal and external stakeholders making them aware of OTT’s program’s and resources. He also focuses on OTT’s STEM outreach efforts by maintaining and promoting OTT’s University Toolkit, a resource available to any U.S. college or university that wants to strengthen their relationship with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Finally, he is working to engage the philanthropic/foundation community to find areas where DOE could partner with them to further invest in DOE’s cleantech portfolio.
Edward has over 20 years of professional experience with expertise in production engineering, process engineering, and innovative energy technology finance. His career began as a production/process engineer in chemicals and manufacturing facilities located throughout his home state of Florida. His career continued to evolve when he arrived in Washington, D.C. where he served as a technical consultant in DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy followed by assignments with DOE’s Office of Information and Business Management Systems, the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, and DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, WV. Edward joined LPO in 2010 as a senior investment analyst where he led the analysis of loan guarantee applications received under the Nuclear, Fossil, Renewable and Efficient Energy, Tribal Energy, and Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing programs. He also was a key member of LPO’s outreach and business development activities.
Edward is a graduate of the University of Florida where he completed his B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering and Industrial & Systems Engineering respectively.