James A. Croce is chief executive officer of Detroit-based NextEnergy Center, a non-profit corporation dedicated to implementing an economic development strategy for Michigan to accelerate research, development and manufacturing of alternative energy technologies.

Croce manages business strategy, leadership initiatives and government relations for NextEnergy Center. He has more than 20 years of experience in energy and engineering and helps NextEnergy find new methods that positively contribute to the nation’s economic competitiveness, energy security and the environment. Croce joined the organization in 2003.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has appointed him to the Strategic Economic Investment and Commercialization Board and also Michigan’s Renewable Fuels Commission.

Croce is co-founder and a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Sustainable Energy Coalition, and he serves on the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest, a non-profit corporation providing business support services to emerging technology companies.

Croce has a bachelor of science degree in electrical and computer engineering with honors from Wayne State University in Detroit. He lives in Grosse Pointe Farms.

James Croce's Speech