The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii says Kenton Eldridge has been elected chairman of its board of trustees. 

The nonprofit organization said Thursday Eldridge succeeds Duncan MacNaughton, who chaired the board for three years. 

Eldridge is co-founder and partner of Aina Koa Pono, a Hawaii-based company geared to develop energy technology for alternatives to fossil fuels. He is also co-founder and managing director of Sennet Capital, a merchant bank. 

Eldridge has served as a conservancy trustee for 11 years.

The Nature Conservancy has helped protect 200,000 acres in Hawaii, including ten preserves that provide vital habitat for threatened native species.