The MEIA Team

Ben Margolis serves as the Director of the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA), where he leads Maryland’s clean energy technology commercialization and investments. He oversees statewide programs supporting entrepreneurs from early-stage ideation and company formation through prototyping, manufacturing, and investment readiness.

Ben Margolis serves as the Director of the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA), where he leads Maryland’s clean energy technology commercialization and investments. He oversees statewide programs supporting entrepreneurs from early-stage ideation and company formation through prototyping, manufacturing, and investment readiness. 

Ben has 20 years of experience in clean energy, technology commercialization, venture development, and investment. Prior to returning to MEIA as Director, he served as a Business Fellow at Breakthrough Energy, supporting commercialization efforts for emerging power and industrial technologies. He previously co-founded MEIA and served as its Commercialization Manager, designing programs to help move technologies from the lab to market. 

His earlier experience includes managing a first-of-a-kind advanced energy investment portfolio at Clean Feet Investors, leading business development at renewable energy company Sol Systems, and founding a strategic advisory practice focused on commercialization and technology transition. Ben holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland. 

Mike Ducker serves as the Ecosystem Manager at the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA), where he helps to design and manage programs and leads efforts to connect climate tech startups with, investors, suppliers, and other organizations that can support their growth and commercialization. 

Mike brings more than 20 years of experie

Mike Ducker serves as the Ecosystem Manager at the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA), where he helps to design and manage programs and leads efforts to connect climate tech startups with, investors, suppliers, and other organizations that can support their growth and commercialization. 

Mike brings more than 20 years of experience building entrepreneurial ecosystems and has published learnings on how to grow an entrepreneurial ecosystem.   Mike has coached more than 1,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners in more than 30 countries. The programs he has supported has led to over $50 Million private capital for the startups.  

Mike holds an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, with a focus on entrepreneurship and economics, and a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in economics from Central Michigan University. Mike is an endurance athlete and global traveler finishing a half-iron man triathlon, a bike trip from Pittsburg to Washington DC, several marathons, has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro and white water rafted in the White Nile.  

Emily Sheppard serves as the Program Coordinator at the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA), where she supports the day-to-day operations and delivery of MEIA’s programs for climate tech and clean energy startups. 

Her responsibilities include participant recruitment and engagement, event logistics, scheduling, communications, st

Emily Sheppard serves as the Program Coordinator at the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA), where she supports the day-to-day operations and delivery of MEIA’s programs for climate tech and clean energy startups. 

Her responsibilities include participant recruitment and engagement, event logistics, scheduling, communications, stakeholder coordination, participant tracking, and program administration. She works closely with entrepreneurs, mentors, partners, and other stakeholders to create a strong and supportive experience for MEIA participants. 

Emily holds a Master of Professional Studies in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology from George Mason University. She is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and building the connections, resources, and programs that help climate technology companies grow in Maryland.