Technology Consultant
Albert (Bert) Nelson has worked since the 1990s in the energy and technology sectors in senior positions spanning product development and testing, product management, project financing, marketing and business development and executive management. An experienced entrepreneur, he helped start and finance several technology companies. He is currently a consultant to the Applied Power Systems group of Applied Materials, Inc. helping develop and commercialize equipment for the electric grid. Mr. Nelson served as the CEO of Applied Superconductor, Inc. and its predecessor companies Zenergy Power and SC Power Systems until January 2014. Mr. Nelson is an investor and director in several businesses including Sargent Electric, GELI (Growing Energy Laboratories, Inc.), Sequentric Energy Systems, Holocom Networks, Histogen and Smart Wires. Past startups and investments included TEGG Corporation (sold to ABM Industries), Cheng Power Systems, Cheng Fluid Systems and Direct Drive Systems (sold to PMC Technologies). From 2006 to 2011, Mr. Nelson served on the advisory board of the Wolfson Magnetics Centre at Cardiff University, and he has served on the advisory board of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University since 2011. Mr. Nelson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in Naval Architecture, completed the submarine and naval nuclear power curriculums, qualified as Chief Engineer on the S6G submarine nuclear reactor plant, and graduated with distinction from the Naval War College JPME I program.