LIZABETH ARDISANA

CEO, ASG Renaissance

Chosen because: Former Ford engineer Ardisana, 59, is owner of ASG Renaissance, a Dearborn, Mich.-based company providing marketing, communications, government relations and technical services. Ardisana has been involved in alternate-fuel vehicles and EVs for 18 years. ASG's roster of clients has included Ford, Navistar and several battery companies -- and it is currently heavily involved with Think electric cars.

Quote: "I say to myself that while it ebbs and flows, it doesn't always go back to the same level. Public interest is significantly higher, the technology is significantly better, and the products are significantly farther along."