New Leadership At WestStart; Michael Gage Becomes Regional Director At Land Preservation Organization; Boesel New Leading Executive

    PASADENA, Calif.--Oct. 16, 2001--After nine years of visionary leadership at the nation's largest advanced transportation technology consortium, Michael Gage has accepted a new position as Southwest Regional Director and Vice President with the Trust for Public Lands, a leading land preservation organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. WestStart-CALSTART's (WestStart) President John Boesel will assume leadership of the entire organization.
    During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer at WestStart, Gage developed the organization from its beginning as CALSTART and oversaw its expansion into WestStart. WestStart is an advanced transportation technologies consortium that focuses on developing new, clean technologies and solutions in transportation across the Western states. CALSTART is WestStart's California operating division. WestStart continues to do business in California as CALSTART.
    "Mike's leadership and vision created a premier advanced transportation technology consortium which is making a valuable contribution to this industry not only in the Western states but internationally," commented WestStart Chairman Gary Gleason. "He pushed us all to think of new, innovative ways to define clean transportation which are making a difference today." Gleason is the General Manager of the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District, the largest electric bus fleet operator in the country.
    Since joining CALSTART in 1993 as Vice President of Programs, Boesel has been responsible for managing and developing the consortium's advanced transportation technologies programs. In 1998, Boesel was promoted to executive vice president and oversaw the expansion of CALSTART's role in the western United States and its transformation into WestStart. Prior to joining CALSTART, he worked as a commercial banker and as a legislative aide, managing environmental and energy legislation for then-California Assemblyman (now Congressman) Sam Farr. Boesel has a Masters in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
    "John's contributions over the years and leadership as president have been invaluable to WestStart's success as an organization and its position as a leader in this industry," commented Gage. "John's breadth and depth of experience and knowledge of advanced transportation technologies ensures the ongoing success and future growth of the organization."
    "John has a tremendous understanding of the advanced transportation technology industry and is well positioned to take the organization to new heights. His experience in both the public and private sectors is what is needed," stated Gleason.
    WestStart is an advanced transportation technologies consortium working to develop clean transportation solutions and systems. Working with private partners worldwide, the combined organization, WestStart provides technology development and demonstration, market analysis, and fleet implementation services. Its expertise includes electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), mobility services and fuel-cell technologies.