Holdmann to serve as director of ACEP

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: 907-474-7902
07/21/09

Alaska Center for Energy and Power organizational director Gwen Holdmann has been named the center’s director.

"Holdmann has done a wonderful job of developing this dynamic research group and it was clear that she was the right person to continue its work into the future. We are excited to formalize her role as director," said University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Brian Rogers.

The center is housed in the UAF Institute of Northern Engineering and serves as a key point of contact for applied energy research throughout the state. Its mission is to tailor research and analysis to meet specific client needs by developing interdisciplinary teams of researchers from around the state to address each problem. Holdmann has served as the center’s organizational director since January of 2008.

Dan White, director of the Institute of Northern Engineering, said Holdmann’s experience, expertise and leadership style makes her an ideal fit to continue leading ACEP.

"Gwen’s practical experience with energy in the private sector, combined with her natural talent at forming partnerships and motivating people, is a perfect match for creating a research center that can meet the applied energy research needs of Alaska," White said.

Holdmann came to the university from Chena Hot Springs Resort, where she served as vice president of new development. During her tenure, she led a team that devised the first low-temperature geothermal power plant in the country.

Holdmann’s work developing energy systems started at ABS Alaskan in Fairbanks, where she served as their renewable energy design engineer.

For more information on the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, visit www.uaf.edu/acep.

CONTACT: Julie Estey, ACEP public information officer, at 907-590-0879 or julie.estey@uaf.edu.

JE/7-21-09/013-10