Matt leads the LA Cleantech Incubator (LACI) which is creating an inclusive green economy through unlocking innovation with startups and entrepreneurs, transforming markets with policymakers and corporate partners, and enhancing communities through workforce training and targeted pilots. As CEO of LACI, Matt also chairs the Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) whose members include the Mayor of LA, LA County, California Air Resources Board, major automakers, utilities, local government, labor. TEP was founded to accelerate zero emissions mobility and goods movement in the LA region by the time of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Prior to joining LACI, he was appointed as the first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Los Angeles by Mayor Eric Garcetti in August 2013. As L.A.’s first CSO, Petersen was the chief architect of the Sustainable City pLAn which is a roadmap for L.A. and helped create the Climate Mayors. Petersen previously led Global Green which was a pioneer in greening of affordable housing, schools, and cities as well as helping grow the solar sector. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Petersen put forth a vision and mobilized resources to green the rebuilding of New Orleans, including schools, the Lower 9th Ward, and more. Petersen is chair of the Climate Mayors board, and is a board member of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, Center for Environmental Health, and the Sir Edmund Hilary Institute for International Leadership. Petersen is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the LA Sustainability Leadership Council, and served as an adviser to the Clinton Global Initiative on energy and the environment while a CGI member for 10 years. He has a son, and is a retired AYSO coach.