Mung Chiang Elected as Chairman of the Board for FESI, Aiming to Propel Energy Innovation

Mung Chiang Takes Charge as FESI Chairman

In a pivotal development for energy innovation in the United States, the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI) has announced that Mung Chiang, the President of Purdue University, will serve as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors. This significant appointment is expected to bolster FESI's efforts in enhancing American energy security and promoting innovative energy solutions.

Elected to this role on April 16, 2026, Chiang has been an active member of FESI's board since May 2024. His extensive background, which spans academia, government, and industry leadership, positions him uniquely to guide FESI in its mission. As a congruently chartered nonprofit organization, FESI acts as a critical bridge linking the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with key stakeholders in industry, research, and funding.

Rick Stockburger, the Chief Executive Officer of FESI, shared his confidence in Chiang's leadership, stating, "At a time when the United States must accelerate innovation to remain globally competitive, Mung's insight and leadership will be invaluable." According to him, Chiang's role will be crucial in driving partnerships that connect cutting-edge technologies emerging from DOE research and national laboratories with essential capital and collaborative opportunities for scaling.

Chiang, who has a robust academic pedigree, holds Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees from Stanford University. His career highlights include serving as a faculty member at Princeton University, where he held the prestigious Arthur LeGrand Doty Professorship in Electrical Engineering and founded the Princeton EDGE Lab. Before assuming his presidency at Purdue University in 2022, he was the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering and played a significant role as executive vice president for strategic initiatives at the university.

As an accomplished innovator, Chiang is credited with 26 U.S. patents, the majority of which are in use for practical network applications. He has been acknowledged for his contributions to engineering, having been elected to several distinguished academies, including the National Academy of Engineering and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. In recognition of his achievements, he has also received notable accolades, including the prestigious IEEE Founders Medal and the Alan T. Waterman Award from the National Science Foundation.

Beyond academia, Chiang has taken on vital governmental roles. In 2020, he served as the science and technology adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State, where he initiated various tech diplomacy programs. His commitment to public service extends to serving on the board of directors for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, demonstrating his involvement in multiple sectors.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Chiang remarked, "As a unique nonprofit organization working with the U.S. Department of Energy, FESI has a significant role to play for America's energy security and innovation. I am honored to serve alongside a distinguished board and a dedicated management team at the Foundation."

FESI aims to enhance the pace and scale of American energy innovation by collaborating closely with the DOE, national laboratories, industries, and funding bodies. With Chiang at the helm, FESI is poised to make a significant impact in connecting vital technologies to the market, ensuring the U.S. remains at the forefront of energy advancements.

Dr. Darío Gil, Under Secretary for Science at the DOE, emphasized the value of Chiang's multifaceted experience, declaring, "Dr. Mung Chiang's experience across academia, industry, and government makes him a strong choice to serve as Chairman of FESI's Board. Together, we will continue strengthening the partnerships needed to move DOE-supported technologies from the lab to the marketplace."

As FESI gears up to accelerate America's energy innovation, the leadership of Mung Chiang promises to usher in a new era of cooperation and technological advancement.