
Building on Strong Foundation
The collaborative synergy within Clean World Ventures functions as an invaluable brain trust.
At Clean World Ventures, we take pride in our accomplished team of professionals with a proven track record of success. Our team comprises seasoned executives, experienced engineers, scientists, and industry specialists with in-depth knowledge and expertise in the clean water and green energy sectors. They are passionate about driving sustainable solutions and ensuring the successful implementation of our innovative technologies to provide exceptional service to our partners and customers.
CWV Team

Roy DiBenerdini
Founder & CEO
30+ years management experience in both public and private companies. Served as CEO in Cleantech, SaaS, Martech, and eCommerce industries. Executive leadership roles at American Airlines, GEC-Marconi, AOL, iiON, the Green Room Fund, and College Hill Ventures. VC with Granted 3 US Patents. BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas, Harvard University HBS Certificate.

Anthony J. Sansone
COO
Diversified background in R&D, operations, manufacturing, program management, professional services, change leadership dynamics. Raytheon Company, Tatum, Randstad, Cabot & McKenzie, etc. BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from University of Massachusetts, Lowell and Executive Education -- Harvard Business School.

Nancy Parrillo
Managing Director Project Finance & Administration
Seasoned financial executive with a broad spectrum of experience in accounting, financial reporting, treasury, cash management, budgeting and planning, audit, and inventory control. SeatonHill Partners, Providence Water Supply Board, Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority, Tatum LLC. BA Economics from Wheaton College, MBA Finance from Bryant University.

John Stimpson
Managing Director Operations and Interim CFO
Finance executive with over 25 years of diverse international financial markets experience across equities, commodities and treasury functions. Sales and management roles at Greenwich Metals, Standard Chartered, Citigroup, and Morgan Stanley. Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Richmond.

Lauren Sammes, PhD
Chief Science Officer
Leading expert in chemistry of materials, electrochemistry, solid state materials, hydrogen, electrolysis and fuel cells, green energy and green chemistry with 7 US patents, 250+ journal publications. LERC, University of Connecticut, Colorado School of Mines, Acumentrics, ICI. University of Manchester, Chemistry (First Class Honours, BSc), Imperial College, London, PhD Electrochemistry, University of Waikato (New Zealand), MBA (Exec) Dist. Fellow Institute of Materials, Chartered Engineer.

Timo Kuester, PhD
Head of Engineering
Progress focused critical thinker with 10+ years of international R&D experience, utilizing nanotechnology cutting edge sensor technology & chemical engineering unit operations for environmental pollution mitigation projects. Timo is well versed in data analysis and modeling, CFD and DEM simulations as well as process and part design. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Rhode Island and a B.S. in Bioprocess Engineering from the Technical University Braunschweig, Germany.

Julio S. Romero
Senior Mechanical Engineer
A mechanical engineer with experience developing fluid machines for medical devices, vaccine drug manufacturing, and biomedical technology. Julio has 7 years of experience taking concepts to production and relishes engineering novel ideas that push the boundaries of green technology.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Ruth Smith
Manager Safety and Procurement
Ruth has over 22 years of Industry experience working in Chemistry, Quality Control and Safety with companies such as, RI Analytical Laboratories, Mitkem Laboratories and most recently as an Analytical Chemist at FujiFilm Electronic Materials. Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Thiel College.

Tevin Floris
Software Engineer
A software engineer with years of experience, specializing in developing and implementing software solutions for complex systems. Graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a double degree in Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

Max Hirdler
Chemistry Laboratory Manager
A chemist with experience in energetics with organometallic, plasticized explosive compounds and the formulation of novel energetic compounds. Oversaw multi-facility equipment installation and instrument quality control/maintenance at Amgen. Received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Rhode Island.

Aidan DiBenerdini
Project Manager Sapphire
Aidan has been in Product Support for CWV over the past three years, participating in research and IP projects. He will be in the graduating class of 2027 at Trinity College, Hartford CT, with a major in Political Science and a focus in International Relations and furthering post-graduate studies in Commodities and Energy.

Wes Hirdler
Lab Technician
A biochemist with experience in iron transport systems, volatile biological compounds and clinical and general laboratory techniques. Recently graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry.

Dylan Silver
Engineering Support
A student at New E England Institute of Technology (NEIT) studying mechanical engineering with a strong hands-on background in technical work, problem-solving, and detail-focused environments. Brings experience from graphic design, inventory, and structured workflow roles that built skills in accuracy, organization, and learning new systems quickly. Reliable, adaptable, and excited to keep growing in engineering and technical spaces.
CWV Board

Roy DiBenerdini
Chairman
30+ years management experience in both public and private companies. Served as CEO in Cleantech, SaaS, Martech, and eCommerce industries. Executive leadership roles at American Airlines, GEC-Marconi, AOL, iiON, the Green Room Fund, and College Hill Ventures. VC with Granted 3 US Patents. BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas, Harvard University HBS Certificate.

Mike Steinmetz
Board Member
National Grid, NSA, Northrop Grumman, US Space Command, US Navy National Defense University, Masters' degree in National Resource Management. BA from the Peabody Conservatory of the John Hopkins University.

Brian Blevis
Board Member
Manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, financial services, telecommunications, water and oil and gas in the US and overseas. Accenture, Red Desert Reclamation, etc. BSIM, Management, Computers and Electrical Engineering, Purdue University.

Arnand Rao
Board Member
Senior leadership roles in financial & credit crises & cycles, Growth, M&A & LBO.Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Tycoon Ventures, former SVP at Audax Private Debt, GE Capital and Vanderbilt Capital Advisors. BS & MS University of Mumbai and MBA University of Hartford.
Advisors

Bruce Greenhaus
IP Counsel
30+ yrs. IP, Vice President, Patent Counsel for Qualcomm, Inc., and Vice President, Chief Patent Counsel for Entropic Communications, Inc., Adjunct professor of law with Thomas Jefferson School of Law. JD degree from Hosftra School of Law, BS degree in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York, Stony Brook.

ULF Sundberg
Product Development and Venture Funding
30+yrs experience of product development and program management in leadership positions. Experience in Angel and Venture Capital Investments. BS in Electrical Engineering from Sweden.

Christopher Melvin
Municipal Finance
Managing Director at Ramirez & Co, MD and Head of Finance, UBS FSI. Former Attorney at Nixon Peabody and Managing Direct at Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns, Paine Webber. JD from Villanova University School of Law and LLM in Taxation from Georgetown University.

Thomas Doyle
IoT, Automotive, and Transportation
A High-Tech Executive, Advisor, & Investor with over 35 years’ experience leading teams in developing, launching, and scaling innovative new products. Over 35 issued patents in devices and SaaS solutions in medical, IoT, wireless, automotive, & transportation industries. A global business leader spanning the Americas, Europe, & Asia. Leadership style focused on team empowerment, productivity, & mentoring. Tom holds a BS from Michigan State University & a black belt in martial arts.

