William Kao, Founder, President

Dr. William Kao received his BSEE, MSEE and PhD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He has worked in the Semiconductor and Electronic Design Automation industries for 30 years holding senior and executive (Director, VP) engineering management positions at Texas Instruments, Xerox Corporation, and Cadence Design Systems.

Dr. Kao has authored more than 40 technical papers and holds several software and IC patents. He was an Adjunct Professor at UCLA Electrical Engineering Department where he taught courses in computer aided circuit design. Dr. Kao is a Senior Member of IEEE, and was one of the founding members of IEEE-CAS Silicon Valley Chapter , where he was Chapter Chair in 2006.

Dr. Kao currently teaches Renewable Energy and Clean Technology courses at UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension, and at the Silicon Valley Technical Institute in San Jose.

He is also on the Technical Advisory Board for Sigma Quest on the topics of Energy and Environment, and Quality Control, and is a consultant for several Clean Tech companies.

Dr. Kao is currently President and Founder of CARES (Chinese American Renewable Energy Society) , now The Clean Technology Group of the Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE) USA-SF, where he is also a Board Member.

Joe Tai, Vice President, Attorney-at-Law

Dr. Tai is a board member of the Chinese America Renewable Energy Society (CARES) and Chinese Institute of Engineers San Francisco Chapter (CIE-SF). Dr. Tai received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Golden Gate University School of Law, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of California, Davis, and a M.S. and B.S. from Fu-Jen University in Taiwan. His Ph.D. research is focus on Carbon Dioxide Utilization and Green Technology. He has given several presentations on the topic of Green technology and patents.

Dr. Tai is an attorney in an intellectual property law firm. Dr. Tai focuses his practice on patent procurement/strategies, client counseling on infringement and validity matters, technology evaluations, and international patent matters. His practice areas including green/clean technology, renewable energy, material, chemical, bio-technology, medical devices, semiconductor, MEMS, supercritical fluid, and catalysis.

Cliff Tsay, Founder

Cliff Tsay is currently involved in solar energy industry as a consultant and contractor. His work ranges from solar PV project management, business development, marketing strategy and manufacturing consultation. He also participated in innovative technology development for advanced solar photovoltaic system. Cliff is an active volunteer member of Grid Alternatives, a non-profit solar energy system integrator for low-income families. He is a co-founder of CARES.

Mr. Tsay has 20+ years of technical and manufacturing experience in semiconductor industry with emphasis on IC packaging, assembly manufacturing, engineering management, quality system and supplier management. His semiconductor career includes various engineering and management positions at National Semiconductor, Altera and Exar. Cliff holds BS degree in material engineering and science from TsingHua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan; MS degrees in material engineering from RPI/NY and welding engineering from OSU/Ohio; EMBA from Golden Gate University, San Francisco.

Gillian Tam, Founding Member

Gillian Tam is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Most recently, her “other life” includes serving on the board of Chinese American Renewable Energy Society. With enthusiasm, her imagination soared with thoughts for this newly organization to create deliverables, invite participants to take part of the fledgling renewable energy and clean technologies toward a sustainable quality of life.

Prior to her 12-year-experiences in sales operation and human resources management in semiconductor and in-flight entertainment industries in Silicon Valley, she led her import and export business dealing consumer goods with China in late 80's to mid 90's. Recognizing Chinese language as one of the most important communication tools in new era, she initiated and organized the Mandarin and culture learning program with Beijing Language and Culture University in 1995 for foreign students to study in Beijing. She held the Vice Chair position of Discovery Bay International School-Parent Teacher Association in 1990 to serve for the school and local community, and is a professional member of Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Kai Ma, Founding Member

Dr. Ma is a founding member of CARES (Chinese American Renewable Energy Society), now the Clean Technology Group of the Chinese Institute of Engineers San Francisco Chapter (CIE/USA-SF).

Dr. Ma holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering, both from Stanford University, and a B.S. from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. She currently works in a company that designs and manufactures proprietary photovoltaic systems.

Linda Yu, Founding Member

Linda Yu is District Manager at Pacific Advisors, with 30 years of experience in the financial service industry. Linda focuses on a holistic approach of comprehensive financial planning, specializing in business financial strategy. To give back to the community, Linda volunteers her time delivering educational seminars for a variety of Asian societies. She is actively involved with women in business, children with special needs, and professional financial societies. In her free time, Linda enjoys tea, chatting, gardening, scuba diving, photography, hunting and swimming.

Pei Kao, Founding Member

Ms. Pei Kao received her BS in Law from Fu-Jen Catholic University in Taiwan. After she moved to United States, she obtained a BS in Computer Science from University of Iowa and an MS in Engeering Management from Santa Clara University. She has worked in the business IT field for over 20 years holding system and management positions at several major companies such as HP, AMD and NCR.

Pei is a CPIM (Certified Production and Inventory Management). In addition, she obtained several financial licenses: Real Estate, Life and Health Insurance, Series 7 and Series 66. Currently she is working in her fields of interest in real estate and financial investment.

Pei likes to devote her time to volunteer works. She is a founding member of CARES (Chinese American Renewable Energy Society), now the Clean Technology Group of the Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE/USA-SF). She was the president of Fu-Jen University Alumni Association (FJUAA) in Northern California in 2009. She is the Chair of the Board of FJUAA this year.

Wai Ho, Founding Member

Wai Ho received his BS in Electrical Engineering from University of Hong Kong, and MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from University of California Berkeley. He has served in engineering and management roles in the electronic design automation industry, with responsibilities in product development, software engineering, and project management. Wai has authored several technical papers on electronic design automation, communications and digital signal processing. He is a member of Project Management Institute and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).