CALSTART Adds Three Directors to Growing Staff

Newly appointed individuals lead the Communications Department, Global Drive to Zero Program^TM, and Light-Duty Vehicle Programs.

PASADENA, Calif. – CALSTART is pleased to announce the hiring of three directors, helping to grow the organization as it pursues its mission to build a prosperous, efficient, and clean high-tech transportation industry. Dirk Evenson comes aboard as Senior Director, Communications; Stephanie Kodish as Senior Director, Global Drive to Zero; and Jason Zimbler as Light-Duty Vehicle Director.

Dirk Evenson leads the company’s strategic marketing and communications efforts to help the organization meet its ambitious goals and to support its various programs and initiatives. He has a long history of working with government agencies, the public sector, and industry to accelerate innovation and progress towards achieving clean and sustainable transportation. Prior to joining CALSTART, Evenson developed and led the New Mobility World + IAA Conference, Europe’s leading future transportation platform; built and led the strategic communications function for the German Association of the Automotive Industry, VDA; and was Partner and Managing Director of Scholz & Friends, where he oversaw transportation, technology and public sector accounts.

His advocacy and volunteer work includes co-founding the mobility working group of Berlin’s Green Party, serving as an advisor on the automotive industry to the Heinrich Böll Foundation and as partner and evaluator of multiple transportation startup ecosystems. Evenson holds a master’s equivalent from Freie Universität Berlin in political science.

Stephanie Kodish leads the Global Commercial Vehicle Drive to Zero program, enabling and accelerating the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles on a global scale. Kodish draws on two decades of experience as an environmental and social justice leader, spearheading collaboratives and campaigns. Before joining CALSTART, Kodish served as Senior Director and Counsel for Clean Air and Climate at the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), where she oversaw programs and strategic initiatives to curb air pollution and mitigate climate change. Prior to that, Kodish represented communities overburdened by pollution as counsel for the Environmental Integrity Project. Her international experience includes working with a global environmental investment research advisory group and the World Resources Institute.

Kodish holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from The Ohio State University, as well as a master’s degree in environmental law and a Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School. She is currently licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.

In his new role, Jason Zimbler will advance policy initiatives that support zero-emission vehicle requirements, and coordinate and implement large federal and state vehicle electrification and charging infrastructure programs. Prior to joining CALSTART, Zimbler oversaw electric vehicle (EV) initiatives at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), including market development programs, technology demonstrations and utility interactions related to the electrification of transport, as well as EV outreach and education programs. He performed policy and market research on sector initiatives, including improving the business case for EV charging station infrastructure, as well as for smart mobility programs. Prior to working at NYSERDA, Jason was a Director at HBO.

Zimbler earned a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Clean Energy Policy at Columbia School of International and Public Affairs; a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College; and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.

“We are thrilled that these three remarkable individuals have decided to join CALSTART to help change transportation for good. We look forward to seeing their talents shine through each department they serve,” says John Boesel, President, and CEO.

About CALSTART 

A nonprofit consortium with offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California and central Europe and partners world-wide, CALSTART works with 300+ member company and agency innovators to build a prosperous, efficient, and clean high-tech transportation industry. We overcome barriers to modernization and the adoption of clean vehicles. CALSTART is changing transportation for good.