Greentown Labs tabs Knobloch to lead climate tech incubator

Houston and Somerville, Massachusetts-based climate tech incubator Greentown Labs named Kevin Knobloch as its new chief executive officer (CEO) on Aug. 17, according to a press release. An industry veteran, Knobloch comes to Greentown from the independent advisory and consulting firm Knobloch Energy.

"I'm delighted to be asked by Greentown Labs' board of directors to be the next leader of this highly effective organization—and very excited to get to work," he said, according to the release. "I've long admired the critical role Greentown plays in supporting the growth and impact of early-stage climate and energy transition technology companies.”

Knobloch possesses over three decades of experience working on advancing clean energy and climate change solutions.

“The climate crisis demands that we accelerate our collective pace of deployment and I look forward to collaborating with our startups, staff and partners to support that acceleration,” he said.

His first official day at the helm of Greentown is Sept. 5.

Knobloch’s new position calls for him to work closely with Jason Hanna, the company’s co-founder and interim CEO, throughout the transition process.

"I'm honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to once again pass the leadership baton," Hanna said, the release reported. “Especially so given Kevin's incredible record of climate leadership. I'm excited for the future of this organization and the impact he can make as Greentown enters the second decade of its climate mission."

Greentown Labs Board Chair Dawn James said that Knobloch has “a proven and impressive track record.”

"On behalf of the entire board of directors, I am thrilled to welcome Kevin as our next CEO,” James said. “We are excited for what is to come under Kevin's leadership and look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly have on our team, our startup community and the ecosystem at large.”

Knobloch holds a master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, according to his LinkedIn profile.