Peter W. Davidson is a highly accomplished leader with extensive experience in clean energy finance, government service, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. Notably, he served as the Executive Director of the Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy from May 2013 to June 2015. In this pivotal role, Mr. Davidson managed a substantial portfolio exceeding $30 billion, dedicated to clean energy and advanced vehicle loans and loan guarantees. This made the LPO the largest project finance organization within the U.S. government during his tenure.
As Executive Director, Peter Davidson was instrumental in driving the LPO’s mission to accelerate the adoption of innovative clean energy projects and bolster domestic advanced vehicle manufacturing. By strategically providing debt capital, the LPO, under Davidson’s leadership, supported a diverse range of projects spanning renewable energy, advanced fossil energy, and nuclear energy. These initiatives fostered significant economic development across the United States, advanced an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, and contributed to critical greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
Prior to his impactful role at the Department of Energy, Peter Davidson served as Senior Advisor for Energy and Economic Development at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He also held the position of Executive Director of New York State’s economic development agency, the Empire State Development Corporation. These roles showcase his deep commitment to public service and economic advancement.
Before transitioning to government, Peter Davidson established himself as a successful entrepreneur. He founded and managed six companies, demonstrating his business acumen across various sectors, including Spanish language media, niche market broadcasting, publishing, marketing, and digital preferred services. Earlier in his career, he honed his financial expertise as an executive within the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Adding to his multifaceted career, Peter Davidson has been the Chairman of the JM Kaplan Fund since 2001, a New York City-based philanthropic organization. Under his chairmanship, the fund has strategically focused its grant making on crucial areas such as reducing New York City’s carbon footprint, supporting immigrant integration within the U.S., and promoting archeological conservation on a global scale.
Peter Davidson’s educational foundation includes a BA from Stanford University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School, providing him with a strong academic grounding to complement his extensive practical experience. His career trajectory exemplifies a dedicated commitment to fostering clean energy initiatives, driving economic growth, and contributing to meaningful philanthropic endeavors.
