Management
William Pledger, Chief Engineer, co-founded H2 PowerTech in 1996 and has remained with the company as Chief Engineer. Mr. Pledger has more than 20 years' experience in the design, construction and testing of membrane-based modules, transformer gas analyzers, fuel processors and fuel cell systems. Prior to joining H2 PowerTech, Mr. Pledger worked at Bend Research, Inc. from 1985 until 1994 where he was responsible for designing and constructing prototype membrane-based systems and pilot plants for use in food and pharmaceutical processing. Mr. Pledger holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Oregon State University, is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, as well as a registered Professional Engineer in Oregon.
Michael T. Hicks, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer (CTO), holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University. In 1998, Dr. Hicks joined 3M’s Specialty Materials Manufacturing Division and worked on fluoropolymer R&D. In 2000, he joined 3M’s Fuel Cell Components Program where he worked on electrode development for PEM fuel cells and lead the development of 3M’s next generation MEAs. From 2003 to 2007, Dr. Hicks was the Principal Investigator on a US Department of Energy Project entitled “MEA and Stack Durability for PEM Fuel Cells.” Under this project, Dr. Hicks lead a multi-facet team consisting of 3M, Case Western Reserve University, University of Miami, and Plug Power. In April of 2007, Dr. Hicks joined IdaTech, (now H2 PowerTech) as a Fuel Cell Engineer responsible for durability of fuel cell stacks and systems, development of new stack technology, and sourcing stack BOP. He was previously the Engineering Manager, and Director of Technology Development & Integration at H2 PowerTech.
Dr. Hicks has authored three fuel cell related papers and one fuel cell book chapter. He has also given numerous invited and plenary talks at the annual DOE Hydrogen Program Review, Gordon Conference on Fuel Cells, NRC-CNRC Annual Fuel Cell Testing Workshop, Fuel Cell Durability Conference, Advances in Materials for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Conference, and The Electrochemical Society Conferences. In addition to his work at H2 PowerTech, Dr. Hicks is the past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association, and is currently Treasurer for the Board of Directors for the Fuel Cell Seminar and Exposition.
Dr. Hicks has authored three fuel cell related papers and one fuel cell book chapter. He has also given numerous invited and plenary talks at the annual DOE Hydrogen Program Review, Gordon Conference on Fuel Cells, NRC-CNRC Annual Fuel Cell Testing Workshop, Fuel Cell Durability Conference, Advances in Materials for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Conference, and The Electrochemical Society Conferences. In addition to his work at H2 PowerTech, Dr. Hicks is the past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association, and is currently Treasurer for the Board of Directors for the Fuel Cell Seminar and Exposition.
