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Berkner Group

Berkner Group

Staffing and Recruiting

Larkspur, California 35,037 followers

Driving climate tech innovation with top talent.

About us

We build world-class executive and technical teams for companies catalyzing a decarbonized economy. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, our team of executive search consultants is actively recruiting top talent throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Website
http://www.berknergroup.com
Industry
Staffing and Recruiting
Company size
11-50 employees
Headquarters
Larkspur, California
Type
Privately Held
Founded
2013
Specialties
Executive Search, Technical Recruiting, Cleantech, Biotech, Energy, Materials, Semiconductors, SpaceTech, AgTech, Recruiting, Foodtech, Climate Tech, Green Chemistry, Renewable Energy, Energy Storage, Electric Vehicles, Energy Efficiency, Startup Technology, Strategic Hiring, and Executive Recruiting

Locations

  • Primary

    700 Larkspur Landing Circle

    Larkspur, California 94939, US

    Get directions

Employees at Berkner Group

Updates

  • We’re excited to join the UpSolv team in celebrating their new Chief Commercial Officer, Rahul Rasal, PhD, MBA! UpSolv is on a mission to make recycled plastic as cost-effective as virgin plastic. Their scalable technology platform delivers custom-purified products by removing contaminants and retaining additives on demand, helping industries meet the highest quality standards while navigating increasingly stringent regulations. Rahul brings over 15 years of leadership experience across global organizations such as NatureWorks, ExxonMobil, and 3M, where he consistently delivered revenue growth, launched new business segments, and negotiated complex high-value agreements – including a $20M+ commitment deal at ExxonMobil. He was honored three times with 3M’s prestigious Circle of Technical Excellence & Innovation award — an exclusive recognition reserved for individuals whose technical achievements set the benchmark for both innovation and measurable business impact. Most recently as Global VP of Commercial at NatureWorks, he led Sales, Marketing, and Product Management functions. He has a strong track record across recycling, low carbon solutions, specialty chemicals, and high-volume commercial operations. His cross-functional experience spans R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and sales, paired with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University and an MBA from Rice University. Rahul is poised to drive UpSolv’s commercial strategy, help scale its purified resin offerings, and strengthen its position in a rapidly evolving circular economy. Congratulations to Rahul and the UpSolv team! Looking for your next transformational leader? Connect with Berkner Group. #CircularEconomy #RecyclingLeadership #AdvancedRecycling #SustainabilityJobs #CleanTech #ExecutiveSearch #PlasticsInnovation #BerknerGroup #UpSolv

    • Rahul Rasal, CCO, UpSolv - Berkner Group
  • We’re excited to join the Lithios team in celebrating their new Principal Electrode Manufacturing Engineer, Christopher Plonski! Lithios is commercializing a new electrochemical platform to produce sustainable, low-cost lithium from vast untapped brine resources in the U.S. and beyond. Their patented Advanced Lithium Extraction (ALE) technology minimizes processing requirements—reducing costs, inputs, and environmental impact. To help scale this breakthrough technology, Lithios sought a seasoned manufacturing leader with deep expertise in electrode fabrication. Chris brings over 11 years of experience in lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing, with a strong track record in electrode processing, capital project management, and facility buildouts. His work at Nyobolt, A123 Systems, 24M Technologies, and Ionic Materials showcases his ability to optimize processes, reduce scrap, and scale from R&D to pilot production. At Lithios, Chris will play a key role in advancing electrode manufacturing processes and supporting the scale-up of their ALE platform. His hands-on expertise and leadership in dynamic, innovation-driven environments make him a strong addition to the team. Congratulations to Chris and the Lithios team! #ClimateTech #BatteryManufacturing #LithiumExtraction #CleanEnergy #ElectrodeEngineering #SustainableTech #BerknerGroup #EnergyTransition #DeepTechHiring

    • Chris Plonski, Principal Electrode Manufacturing Engineer, Lithios
  • It was a pleasure working with Jane Melia, Ph.D., Earth Foundry and MUUS Climate Partners to help Harvest find their excellent new CEO, Kenneth Munson. Congratulations to the entire team!

    View organization page for Harvest

    3,948 followers

    New leadership. Same mission. Bigger future. We’re thrilled to welcome Kenneth Munson as the new CEO of Harvest. Ken brings over two decades of experience at the grid edge—and a deep understanding of what it takes to scale climate tech solutions that work. Under his leadership, we’re gearing up to bring Harvest’s smart thermal battery system to even more homes, developers, and utilities across North America. That means faster electrification, lower energy bills, and a more resilient grid. Co-founder Dr. Jane Melia, Ph.D. Melia will continue to shape the company’s growth as Chief Revenue Officer, leading commercial strategy and market expansion. This is a pivotal moment—not just for Harvest, but for the future of clean home heating. Welcome, Ken. Let’s go! 🌐 www.harvest-thermal.com #heating #cleantech #homeenergy #climateleadership #energystorage #HVAC #thermalbattery #gridedge #harvestthermal

  • We’re pleased to announce the placement of Young-Duk Kim as Coreshell 's Executive Vice President of Manufacturing & Commercialization! Coreshell is on a mission to accelerate decarbonization through the lowest-cost, high-performance silicon anodes on Earth. By using 100% domestically sourced metallurgical silicon, their breakthrough technology reinforces silicon during charge/discharge while preventing degradation—paving the way for scalable, affordable EV battery solutions. To drive this next phase of manufacturing excellence, Coreshell sought a proven leader with deep expertise in lithium-ion battery scale-up, global operations, and innovation. We were thrilled to find that leader in Youngduk Kim. Youngduk brings over 15 years of battery manufacturing leadership, most recently as President of Ultium Cells TN (a GM–LG joint venture), where he oversaw the full-scale buildout and launch of a 45GWh EV battery facility. From hiring and training 300+ staff to establishing IT systems, quality processes, and production validation for major OEMs, his impact has been both technical and cultural. Previously, Youngduk held VP roles at LG Energy Solution in global operations, open innovation, and product design—leading technology development with top OEMs and battery startups alike. At Coreshell, Youngduk will apply his startup-savvy mindset and large-scale execution experience to accelerate the commercialization of their silicon anode technology and scale operations for global impact. Congratulations to Youngduk and the Coreshell team! Hiring your next leader? Let’s connect. #BatteryManufacturing #EVBatteries #ClimateTech #EnergyStorage #CleanTechHiring #BerknerGroup #SiliconAnodes #GreenEnergyLeadership

    • Youngduk Kim, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing & Commercialization, Coreshell
  • We’re pleased to announce that Staci Moulton has joined Aepnus Technology as their new VP of Business Development! Aepnus Technology is revolutionizing industrial decarbonization by transforming the way chemicals are made. Their ultra-efficient electrolysis platforms harness renewable electricity to produce critical materials with far less environmental impact. As they scale, Aepnus needed a strategic leader who could bridge deep technical insight with business development expertise to bring these innovations to market. Enter Staci Moulton. Staci brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of science, commercialization, and customer success. With a PhD in Chemical Engineering and an MBA, she has led go-to-market strategies, secured multimillion-dollar contracts, and scaled sales teams and processes from the ground up. Most recently, she grew bookings 5x at Forge Nano and built a business development function that closed deals worth over $16M. She thrives in fast-paced environments where agility, technical fluency, and strategic thinking are key. “Even in large organizations, when we need to move quickly, I’m the one who jumps in and makes it happen,” she shared. At Aepnus, Staci will drive growth through customer development, strategic partnerships, and commercialization of their groundbreaking electrolysis technology. Her proven ability to guide emerging tech from lab to revenue will be instrumental in scaling Aepnus’ impact. Congratulations to Staci and the Aepnus team — we're excited to see the progress ahead. #ExecutiveSearch #BusinessDevelopment #Cleantech #DeepTech #Sustainability #Decarbonization #ChemicalEngineering #LeadershipPlacement #BerknerGroup

    • Staci Moulton, VP of Business Development at Aepnus Technology
  • We’re excited to join the team at Hoofprint Biome in celebrating their new Principal Scientist, Fang-Yuan Chang, PhD. Hoofprint Biome is at the forefront of the symbiotic agriculture movement, developing microbiome-based solutions that eliminate methane emissions from cattle while enhancing animal health and yield. They needed a Principal Scientist with deep expertise in biotechnology and a passion for planetary health. We were thrilled to introduce them to Fang-Yuan Chang, who brings 20 years of relevant R&D and industry experience. With a proven track record of delivering $150M+ in revenue across 40+ projects, he’s not only a technical leader but also a mentor and strategic thinker. His prior roles at Ginkgo Bioworks, MIT, and The Rockefeller University reflect his ability to drive innovation at the intersection of biotechnology and sustainability. Moreover, Fang-Yuan shared that “As much as I love cows, I love planet Earth,” leading to his passion for this type of research. Fang-Yuan’s deep microbial expertise, cross-disciplinary leadership, and commitment to climate solutions make him uniquely suited to accelerate Hoofprint’s mission. We’re excited to see the impact he’ll make in building a methane-free future for agriculture. Are you a mission-driven company looking for visionary scientific leadership? Connect with Berkner Group.

    • Fang-Yuan Chang, Principal Scientist, Hoofprint Biome
  • Welcome to the final installment of our compensation strategy series! Determining competitive compensation ranges can be a challenge for startups. You need to balance attracting top talent with managing your budget. In this last clip, Chris and Amanda share their proven strategies. They cover: • What to prioritize—and what to avoid—when gathering compensation data • The pros and cons of several salary data tools Looking for guidance on compensation as you build your team? Reach out to us at https://berknergroup.com or connect with Chris Berkner. #startups #compensation #salary #benchmarking #talent #hiring #climatetech #deeptech #salarydata #data

  • We are thrilled to announce that AbdurRehman Rashid has joined Lithios as Senior Project Manager! Lithios is pioneering ultra-selective low-cost lithium extraction with their Advanced Lithium Extraction (ALE) technology. By commercializing this breakthrough electrochemical process, Lithios aims to produce a stable, sustainable lithium supply from previously untapped resources, thereby unlocking new supply chains for lithium and supporting the production of electric vehicles and energy storage. AbdurRehman brings a wealth of experience in engineering and technical project management, particularly in designing, building, and commissioning custom membrane filtration solutions for industrial wastewater treatment. His proven ability to lead teams, manage complex projects ranging from $100K to $2M, and maintain excellent customer relations makes him an invaluable addition to the Lithios team. AbdurRehman shared, “Startups are where I thrive - fast-paced, high-impact, and constantly evolving. I’m energized by the challenge of diving headfirst into something new, even in unfamiliar territory. Each experience brings valuable lessons, but it’s the constant evolution and momentum of building something from the ground up that keeps me inspired.” His hands-on experience with project engineering and industrial equipment, coupled with his leadership capabilities, positions him well to drive the planning, execution, and technical oversight of Lithios' field-based pilot projects. We are confident that AbdurRehman's expertise and dedication will significantly contribute to Lithios' mission of unlocking a new, low-cost lithium supply chain. Are you seeking exceptional talent to drive your company's success? Connect with Berkner Group today. #LithiumExtraction #SustainableEnergy #ProjectManagement #CareerGrowth #BerknerGroup

    • AbdurRehman Rashid, Lithios
  • We’re excited to announce that Brian Parker has joined InventWood as Vice President of Product! InventWood is transforming the future of construction with SUPERWOOD—a biomaterial stronger than steel which can reduce costs, shorten build times, and store carbon. To lead their product vision and commercialization strategy, InventWood needed an experienced, market-savvy product leader. Enter Brian Parker. A seasoned product management executive, Brian brings over 15 years of experience in the wood products industry. At AHF Products, he enabled the company to increase product categories 7x, new product sales contribution 3x, total addressable market 6x, and revenue threefold. Brian’s global perspective—gained through leadership roles across North America, Asia, and Europe—equips him to navigate the complexity of bringing sustainable building technologies to market that can be scaled. His motivation? “Taking products to market is exciting, but what’s really exciting is turning a world-changing technology into products that customers love, with IP that creates a long-lasting edge over the competition, and doing so in a way that is good for America and the environment.” At InventWood, Brian will lead the charge in developing and commercializing the first SUPERWOOD products — from beautiful, durable natural finishes, to lightweight structural components — helping scale a carbon-storing alternative to steel. Congratulations to Brian and the InventWood team. We’re excited to watch this next chapter unfold. Looking to grow your climate tech team? Connect with Berkner Group. #ProductLeadership #ClimateTech #AdvancedMaterials #BuildingInnovation #SustainableConstruction #InventWood #ExecutiveSearch #GreenTech #SUPERWOOD #BerknerGroup #ClimateHiring #SustainabilityLeadership

    • Brian Parker, InventWood
  • Negotiating compensation can be a delicate dance. You want to attract top talent while ensuring a fair deal for your company. In this clip, we share our approach to navigating compensation negotiations effectively. We go over: •    Understanding candidate expectations and motivations. •    Communicating effectively and building rapport with candidates. •    Closing the deal and securing top talent for your team. Need help navigating the complexities of compensation negotiation? Our expert team will work with you to develop a negotiation strategy that attracts top talent while protecting your company's interests. Visit https://berknergroup.com to learn more. Next week: Learn how to determine competitive compensation ranges for your startup. #startups #compensation #negotiation #talent #hiring #climatetech #deeptech #communication #strategy

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