Clean Energy Pioneer to Lead State Office

By Sonia Isotov

Mark Glick has been appointed administrator of the State Energy Office of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) which manages millions of dollars in statewide energy programs.

Glick leaves a post managing DBEDT’s $9.5 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant and advising the Hawai`i Economic Development Task Force created by The Food and Energy Security Act. This post is the most recent in a long line of work in the energy field, especially in the areas of government regulations, and financing the work of small business.

“Mark’s pioneering work in clean energy policy and project management, environmental stewardship, finance and federal and state grant acquisition will be invaluable in building a clean energy economy for Hawaii,” said DBEDT Director Richard Lim.  “I’m confident that his commitment and drive will energize our efforts to create green initiatives and jobs for Hawai‘i.”

Prior to joining DBEDT, Glick headed operations and economic development for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, where he was the architect of changes to increase the productivity of the agency’s 17-year-old low-interest financing program.  Glick also led efforts to help Hawai`i businesses secure more federal and state contracts with the establishment of the Hawai`i Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Glick was at the forefront of establishing alternative fuel policies and programs as senior advisor to the Texas Land Commissioner from 1987 to 1991, when he played a decisive role in passage of landmark amendments to the Texas Clean Air Act and similar amendments to the federal Clean Air Act.  He also owned a small business focused on reducing air pollution in urban areas, and securing contracts and grants for clean fuel and emissions reductions projects from the US Department of Energy, the Gas Research Institute, Southern California Gas Company, Pacific Gas & Electric and the New York City Department of Transportation in Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and New York City.