Greenpower USA Foundation

Greenpower USA is a premier Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program that provides students in grades 4 through 12 a hands-on, project-based learning experience that engages students academically and builds critical employability skills. Greenpower USA provides its customers: a customizable, standards-aligned curriculum; car kits and parts; access to premiere race events; and training and technical support. With a curriculum that builds each year’s objectives upon accumulated skills and knowledge, Greenpower USA graduates high school seniors into post-secondary education, and the workforce with levels of advanced manufacturing and engineering project management experience rarely found in the K-12 educational landscape.

After a successful pilot program in 2011, the Greenpower USA Foundation (“Greenpower USA”) was incorporated in October 2014 as a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization located in Huntsville, Alabama. Greenpower USA operates pursuant to a license agreement with Greenpower Education Trust. The licensee agreement establishes Greenpower USA as the exclusive licensee of the Greenpower Education Trust program in the United States.

The Greenpower Electric Car Challenge was founded in 1999 in the United Kingdom (“UK”) by the Greenpower Education Trust6 with the goal of enhancing the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through a highly engaging and inspirational design-build-race competition. With an emphasis on sustainable, multi-disciplinary, and cross-curricular applied-learning, the Greenpower Challenge has categories covering the entire range of education.

Greenpower Education Trust supplies teams with a car building kit which can be used to build an electric race car in school, college, or elsewhere and then raced at Greenpower organized events. Alternatively, participating teams may design and build their own car from scratch, working within Greenpower Education Trust’s technical and sporting regulations. Greenpower Education Trust works with over 700 teams throughout the UK and holds more than 35 regional races, including an international final every year. More than 10,000 students, from elementary age through university, compete annually in Greenpower Education Trust events.

Greenpower Education Trust has opened its doors to allow licensees to establish Greenpower programs all over the world. Currently, Greenpower Education Trust has active licensees in China, India, Malaysia, Poland, Singapore, and the United States.

Drew Sparks - Executive Director

Drew Sparks has been involved in the Greenpower USA program since its inception in 2014. He has served as a team sponsor, race director, program coordinator and Greenpower USA President. Through his time in the program, he has worked with teams across the country implementing the Greenpower program.

Elizabeth Fleming - President

Elizabeth Fleming is the Director of Public Development for Huntsville City Schools. Her experiences in public finance and the non-profit world have prepared her to serve in this capacity benefiting students, teachers, and schools across Huntsville.

Elizabeth served as the Executive Director of The Schools Foundation (TSF) from August of 2012 to May 2021. She utilized her past experiences to build partnerships and long-term commitments to support the local school systems in Madison County. The Schools Foundation is committed to being a driving force for excellence in education supporting the Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County school districts.

Elizabeth began her professional career in 2003 at the YWCA of Central Alabama as their manager of public policy and grants. Elizabeth managed and wrote over $1 million worth of city, county, state, and federal grants. Prior to working at TSF, Elizabeth was an associate at Public FA (PFA) from 2007-2012. PFA assists local governments, other public entities, and non-profits with financial planning, capital management, and debt structuring functions.

Elizabeth graduated from Sewanee, The University of the South, in 2003. She is a graduate of Alabama Leadership Initiative sponsored by Leadership Alabama, the National Women’s Law Center’s first Progressive Leadership and Advocacy Network, Leadership Greater Huntsville Class 27, and Focus Class 27.

Elizabeth is an active member of her community and is currently serving on Chamber Foundation and Downtown Rotary Club boards. She previously served on the boards of Alabama Possible, Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, The Arts Council, The Downtown Forty-Seven, Community Foundation of Huntsville Madison County, Catalyst, Chamber of Commerce Huntsville Madison County, and the Monte Sano Elementary PTA Board.

Elizabeth is married to Patrick Fleming and they have a nine-year-old son, Foster, and a five-year-old daughter, Sarah Laughlin. She likes to stay busy and engaged particularly in her children’s activities.

Chip Giles - vice president

Give customers a reason to do business with you. Chip Giles has been associated with Greenpower racing for four years. He led the way in bringing Greenpower to Georgia as principal of Long Cane Middle School. There are currently over 50 car teams working in Georgia. He served in the Army National Guard for thirty years and has been in education for twenty-four years. He is married to a math teacher and loves offshore and coastal fishing. He currently serves as the Transportation Director for Troup County Schools in LaGrange, Georgia.

Dr. Hank McCladdie - Treasurer

Henry McCladdie is the Director of Student Services at DeKalb Agricultural Technology and Environment, responsible for implementing Green-Power USA into CTAE pathways . Henry has been a graduate teaching assistant, K-12 teacher, adjunct professor, and school administrator. Henry has also served on Wade Walker YMCA Advisory Board, where he was instrumental in developing and raising funds for the WHY IT MATTERS Annual Giving Campaign. Henry holds a B.A. from Morehouse College, M.A. from Auburn University, and Ed.D from Clark Atlanta University. Henry is based out of Atlanta, GA.

Javier Garcia - secretary

Javier Garcia currently serves as an afterschool program site coordinator with the Santa Rosa Independent School District. For over 25 years, he has overseen a multitude of university outreach programs, projects, and grants for underserved students. Javier worked as the director for 8 years for the Rio Grande Valley Regional Science and Engineering Fair and currently sits on its advisory board. He is the president of the STEMS Alumni Association, an educational outreach non-profit that fosters K-16 student development in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Science (STEM). Growing up humble in Brownsville, Texas, Javier is inspired to ignite youths' educational potential by providing guidance and confidence with hope of having them gain successful careers and become respectful stewards in their community. With support of many volunteers and staff, Javier organized the first Green Power USA races in Texas, one in Brownsville and 2 in Houston. He is honored to serve on the Green Power USA Foundation Board of Directors and will offer his experience to expand GPUSA throughout the country. Javier enjoys running, kayaking, hiking, birding, and constructing home improvement projects.