Innovation Works, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southwestern PA, has hired a new director of energy programs to help boost efforts in this rapidly growing field. Tim Fogarty has an extensive background in energy and energy investments.

"Innovation Works is an opportunity for me to get re-engaged in seed investing in energy technology companies," says Fogarty. "I seek out emerging energy companies and, through the Innovation Works process, provide them with capital and help them grow their business. I am very excited to continue to bring alternative energy and new energy technology to the forefront."

Before joining the Innovation Works team, Fogarty was a managing director of MHI Energy Partners, a venture capital firm focused on energy technology seed-stage investing in North America. While at MHI, Fogarty was involved in deal flow generation and investment decision making, and he held management positions at portfolio companies during their nascent stage.

In 2004, Fogarty founded and was co-CEO of Phoenix Coal Corporation, a coal technology and mining company based in Madisonville, KY. Phoenix completed an IPO in July 2008, raising more than $100 million and garnering a market capitalization of more than $260 million.

Fogarty also served as vice president of finance for INI Power Systems, a fuel cell company in Morrisville, North Carolina developing portable power solutions for military and commercial applications. Previously, he was the Power Technologies Equity Research Analyst at Thomas Weisel Partners, LLC in New York City. As the senior analyst covering the sector, he was responsible for the launch of the firm's Power Technology coverage, publishing over 40 reports, including an industry White Paper for institutional investors in the sector. Fogarty built financial models, performed market research and assessed private equity and banking opportunities.

Fogarty is a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served as an Infantry Platoon Commander and later supervised training for a battalion of over 1,000 Marines. He was awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for superior performance of his duties. He received an A.B. from Harvard University.