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The Michigan Alliance for Greater Mobility Advancement (MAGMA) convened a dynamic Advisory Council meeting on December 12, 2025, centered on the future of hydrogen in the Midwest. This virtual session brought together leaders from academia, industry, and workforce development.

Michele Economou Ureste, Executive Director of the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), opened the meeting by emphasizing the importance of mapping the hydrogen ecosystem and addressing emerging workforce needs across Michigan and Ohio. Roxana Bekamohammadi, a leading hydrogen policy advocate and the Founder and Executive Director of the U.S. Hydrogen Alliance (USHA), moderated the event and introduced the expert speakers.

Haley Porter, Associate Project Manager and Research Analyst at WIN, began with an overview of a collaborative research effort between WIN and the University of Toledo, using social network analysis to map hydrogen-related organizations. The study identified 739 organizations and highlighted key network hubs such as the U.S. Department of Energy, Mach H2, and the State of Michigan, offering insights to guide curriculum development for the future hydrogen workforce. Porter continued by sharing findings from employer surveys, which revealed significant skills gaps in the hydrogen workforce. The analysis underscored the need for new training programs, particularly for technicians, safety managers, and process engineers, and highlighted strong employer interest in collaborating with educational institutions. Click here to view the WIN slide deck.

Dr. Todd Allen, Professor at the University of Michigan and Co-Director of the University of Michigan’s hydrogen initiative (MI Hydrogen), presented the MI Hydrogen Initiative, outlining the university’s integrated approach to hydrogen research, education, and policy. He discussed Michigan’s hydrogen roadmap, the DOE’s Hydrogen Hub program, and innovative educational experiences, including student competitions and hands-on hydrogen vehicle projects. Dr. Allen also introduced the emerging field of geologic hydrogen, identifying Michigan as a potentially significant player in future exploration and development. Click here to view Dr. Allen's slide deck. 

Matt Thorington, Engineering Manager of Electrolyzer Stacks in the Power Solutions Division at Robert Bosch LLC, provided an industry perspective by showcasing Bosch’s hydrogen technologies, including electrolyzer stacks, fuel cell systems, and hydrogen combustion engines. He shared examples of real-world applications in Michigan, Canada, and Germany, and introduced Bosch’s cryo pump technology designed to improve hydrogen refueling efficiency. Thorington also spoke to market barriers such as cost, reliability challenges, and offtake concerns, and addressed the need for a balanced approach between centralized and decentralized hydrogen production. Click here to view Thorington's slide deck. 

During an active Q&A session, speakers addressed questions on hydrogen safety, transportation, workforce development, and the influence of federal policy uncertainty on hydrogen hub progress. Panelists emphasized the ongoing importance of innovation, state-level leadership, and cross-sector partnerships.

The meeting concluded with a strong call to action: despite federal slowdowns, Michigan and Ohio are well-positioned to lead in hydrogen innovation and workforce development, provided collaborative momentum continues across industry, academia, and government.

MAGMA Advisory Council Meetings are held quarterly. Topics rotate per meeting and are initiated by the MAGMA Governing Board. Most meetings are recorded, and presentations are posted on the MiAutomobility.org website. For additional information about MAGMA, please email info@winintelligence.org.