Cal EPIC Board selects Dan Grossman as new Chair

Sacramento, CA — The California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative (Cal EPIC) announced its board has selected Dan Grossman as the organization’s new board chair. Chair Grossman has been in the automotive innovation for over 20 years, with a focus on autonomy, shared-use systems, and electric mobility. He will replace Arlen Orchard, former SMUD General Manager and CEO and the initial board chair of the California Mobility Center (now Cal EPIC). 

“Dan has helped companies grow from the smallest of startups and innovative ideas into industry leaders, which is the trajectory that Cal EPIC wants to follow,” said Orville Thomas, CEO of Cal EPIC. “We want to thank Arlen for all he did to get us to this point. As we move into our next era, we want to be a destination for companies looking to accelerate their research, development, and clean tech manufacturing in California.”

“Having worked with more than 75 start-ups in the electric, autonomous and shared mobility sectors, I appreciate the opportunity and partnership Cal EPIC provides,” said Dan Grossman, new board chair of Cal EPIC. “The resources, physical location and community that’s been established is world class and can help accelerate growth for organizations of all sizes.”

Prior to his role at Cal EPIC, Chair Grossman played a pivotal role in scaling Zipcar from startup to IPO and to the eventual acquisition by Avis Budget Group. Under his leadership, Zipcar expanded into more than 300 cities and 500 university campuses across North America. Dan also helped General Motors launch its mobility division, Maven. He oversaw the development of new mobility technologies and formed strategic partnerships with groups such as Cruise and Lyft. Mr. Grossman later served as Global Vice President of Microtransit at Ford Motor Company, where he also held the role of CEO for Chariot Transit and led Ford’s non-emergency medical transportation initiative, GoRide. 

Cal EPIC is preparing to open its new 33,000 square foot Innovation Hub to the public on August 26, 2026. The facility will be an accelerator for clean energy and transportation technology that helps California meet its ambitious zero-carbon climate goals. Chair Grossman will serve a two-year term.

About Cal EPIC

Cal EPIC — the California Energy, Power & Innovation Collaborative — is a nonprofit accelerating the research, development, and commercial manufacturing of clean energy and transportation technologies that advance California’s zero-carbon future. Through our 33,000-square-foot Innovation Hub, we equip founders, manufacturers, and the workforce of tomorrow with the physical infrastructure, testing capabilities, and collaborative community they need to move from idea to market — faster, and at scale.