The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council is continuing its series of feature stories highlighting the mentors behind the Energy Mentor Network program offering industry specific expertise.

The Energy Mentor Network‘s goal is to foster the growth of Tennessee advanced energy technologies and startups by connecting entrepreneurs with mentors. This gives Tennessee yet another advantage in grabbing its more than fair share of the $1.3 trillion global advanced energy market.

The Energy Mentor Network is run by the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council in partnership with Launch Tennessee.

In broad strokes, the Energy Mentor Network pairs mentors with promising new companies and entrepreneurs through a structured program involving panel presentations and mentoring sessions.

The purpose of the program is to develop quality startups. After completing the program, startups will have an investable pitch deck, a rock solid business model and a plan to establish more traction. These tools will position Tennessee’s entrepreneurs to raise capital, request other funds like SBIR grants, and scale their company.

This week TAEBC is recognizing Bob Hilton. Hilton is the president of Robert Hilton Energy. He recently retired from Alstom and GE after 20 years. Hilton has extensive expertise in power generation and environmental compliance specifically government affairs, policy and technology. His experience includes many years of global general management as well as selling capital goods and services to the power industry and other major industries such as iron, steel and chemicals.

His primary interests have always been creating and building new businesses for the companies he worked for, providing strategic direction and growth opportunities, technical sales and product development.

Do you want to be a mentor like Bob Hilton? TAEBC is still accepting applications for mentors in the program. If you are interested, please visit the “For Mentors” section of the Energy Mentor Network portion of TAEBC’s website.