ABOUT US
The Crenshaw Institute for Applied Science and Technology (CIAST) is a not-for-profit implementation-focused platform rooted in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and engaged internationally. We work at the intersection of technology, policy, capital, and community to move proven Food-Energy-Water solutions into practice.
CIAST engages when efforts stall due to complexity—aligning partners, capital, and operating conditions to execute infrastructure that others cannot bring to market. Our work is execution-driven, focused on delivering commercially viable, national security-relevant systems at scale. This approach has earned trust through state partnerships, recognition through federal programs, and multi-year initiatives that demonstrate consistent delivery and readiness for scale.
RECOGNITION & STRATEGIC IMPACT
Trusted by state partners. Recognized by federal programs.
CIAST’s work is carried forward through public trust built over time. State agencies engage CIAST when initiatives require coordination across policy, infrastructure, and operating environments—where alignment, sequencing, and follow-through are essential to progress. These partnerships reflect confidence in CIAST’s ability to manage complexity, navigate regulatory and funding conditions, and support efforts that must perform beyond planning stages.
At the federal level, CIAST’s approach has been acknowledged through competitive program selection by agencies including the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. These recognitions affirm CIAST’s capacity to support inclusive innovation, prepare initiatives for capitalization, and advance projects with implications for regional resilience and national priorities across food, energy, and water systems.
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Turns ambitious concepts into operating models that can be tested, refined, and carried forward.
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Builds lasting institutional capacity by connecting technical initiatives to people, processes, and decision tools that remain useful after initial funding.
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Produces credible examples that make future adoption, investment, and cross-sector collaboration easier.
Together, these engagements demonstrate that CIAST is trusted to steward public resources and align diverse stakeholders in ways that are accountable, repeatable, and designed for scale—creating the conditions under which support can translate into execution.
OUR TEAM
Charles Satish Smith
Managing Director of Systems Integration
Smith steers strategy, partnerships, and execution for flagship efforts that align universities, industry, and communities to validate solutions in real-world... read more
Dr. Peter Oehlers
Managing Director of Risk & Accounting
With more than three decades of financial leadership across corporate and university settings—including liquidity management, fundraising strategy... read more
Lauren Withers
Managing Director of
Special Projects
At CIAST, Lauren strengthens program readiness and execution by optimizing internal knowledge systems, producing partnership and capital-formation materials... read more
Bob Pelc
Managing Director of Technology & Program Development
With more than two decades of experience designing and leading complex programs, Bob focuses on enabling Food-Energy-Water initiatives to deliver measurable, ... read more
Tyrone R. Taylor
Managing Director of
Growth & Execution
With more than 15 years of senior operational leadership, Tyrone brings deep experience in infrastructure development, operations, and project execution... read more
John M. Vogel
Managing Director
of Governance
John’s perspective spans both terrestrial and space domains, aligning directly with CIAST’s Food-Energy-Water Nexus ambitions—from resilient regional...read more
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