Ben Downing to Lead Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Ben Downing

BOSTON — The board of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) voted to appoint Ben Downing as its next CEO. Downing is currently chief growth officer at the Engine, a nonprofit incubator and accelerator built by MIT to support climate tech, biotech, and advanced infrastructure startups. He also previously served as a state senator representing the Berkshires and as Senate chair of the Joint Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee.

“Massachusetts is home to some of the world’s leading climate tech companies, and many of their successes can be attributed to Ben Downing’s visionary leadership in the Legislature and the support he has spearheaded for startups at the Engine,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “Our administration is deeply committed to growing our innovation economy. With strong support authorized under the Mass Leads Act, Ben will steer our climate tech industry and over 162,000 climate tech workers to its next chapter.”

Downing thanked Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, and Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper for the opportunity.

“My experience has taught me that Massachusetts can be the place where the solutions to climate change are invented, built, and deployed,” he added. “Doing so affordably requires activating all of the state’s resources. I’m excited to help MassCEC do just that with our partners in the Healey administration, the Legislature, the clean energy and climate tech sectors, and more. Let’s get to work.”

As chief growth officer at the Engine, Downing working hands-on with climate tech and biotech startups. In that capacity, he has supported, advised, and worked with some of the most promising and impactful teams from Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Form Energy, VEIR, Sublime Systems, Lydian Labs, Atlantic Quantum, Vaxess, Foundation Alloy, Cellino Bio, Robigo, and many more. He helped them secure hundreds of millions in federal awards, build significant connections, and make significant investments across Massachusetts.

Prior to this role, he was vice president of New Market Development for Nexamp, a clean energy company focused on community solar and lowering customer utility bills. He led strategic expansion working nationally with a specific focus in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

As Senate chair of the Joint Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee, Downing helped shape Massachusetts’ clean energy and climate tech policy, including authorizing the first offshore wind procurement, investments in the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, support for workforce development, and energy affordability initiatives to rein in costs.

“Ben brings a rare combination of policy experience, hands-on startup leadership, and deep relationships across the climate tech ecosystem,” Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley said. “At a time of growing global competition in climate tech, Ben is the right leader to help MassCEC strengthen our innovation pipeline, support companies as they scale, and ensure this industry continues to deliver economic growth across Massachusetts.”

Downing’s tenure will begin in April. He will take over for Jennifer Le Blond, who has served as interim CEO since November. Le Blond will return to her role leading the Emerging Climatetech team at MassCEC.