Robert Presser, Director, Chairman of the Board
Fahim Samaha, P.Eng., Director
André Caillé - Advisor
David Gottfried - Advisor
Mr. Robert Presser is the Vice President of Acme Engineering Products Ltd., where he is responsible for the recruitment, training and support for Acme’s worldwide network of over 100 manufacturer’s representatives. Mr. Presser holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and a bachelor’s degree in business from l’École des Hautes Études Commerciales at the University of Montreal. Prior to returning to Acme in 1993, he was a management consultant working on corporate governance and merger and acquisition mandates for large Canadian corporations. In 2007 Robert was appointed to the Board of Directors of Defense Construction Canada and became Chairman of the Board in June, 2008. Defense Construction Canada is a crown corporation that provides project management and administration services for all infrastructure projects required by Canada’s Department of National Defense. Mr. Presser is an experienced project manager, covering mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering disciplines for Acme’s contracts with international engineering firms like SNC Lavalin and Bechtel, and has presented papers and seminars on Acme’s process technologies at technical conferences in Europe and North America.
Fahim Samaha, P.Eng., Director
Mr. Samaha is the Chairman and CEO of the SOFFIMAT SA, which is a Paris-based private corporation active in energy conversion and power generation in Europe for the past 20 years. Mr. Samaha is an electrical engineer trained at AUB and Berkeley, and co-founded Soffimat in 1988. Soffimat has participated as either contractor, operator, owner or promoter in power projects representing over 1.4 gigawatts of installed capacity of different energy technologies, including gas turbines, gas and diesel engines, microturbines and thermal energy recovery systems. Since 1998, Mr. Samaha has been actively developing Soffimat’s strategic focus on renewable energy and innovative concepts to save energy and increase fuel efficiency. He has personally championed the development of over one hundred megawatts of biogas and biomass power plants as well as environmental friendly public transport vehicles, including an electric car called Bi-Scot, the first electric vehicle certified roadworthy in France. Mr. Samaha has also concluded the acquisition of over two dozen businesses and has built an extensive business network across Europe in the energy field.
André Caillé - Advisor
Mr. Caillé was Chairman of the World Energy Council for three years from September 2004 to November 2007. He held the position of Chairman of the Board of Hydro-Quebec from April to September 2005. Prior to this appointment, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the corporation for a period of nine years starting in October 1996. Moreover, for more than fourteen years he has occupied several other strategic management positions within Gaz Metropolitain, such as President and Chief Executive Officer between 1987 and 1996. He was also appointed Quebec's Deputy Minister of the Environment from 1978 to 1981.
In May 1998, Mr. Caillé was inducted into the Order of Merit of the Association des Diplomés de l'Université de Montréal, in recognition of his efforts in enhancing the university's influence and promoting social development. In July 2000, the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) awarded him an honorary doctorate to underscore his role in the development of Quebec society. In November 2000, the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal conferred its Medal of Merit for his support of scientific research, health and education.
In November 2001, the Institut d'administration publique du Quebec awarded Mr. Caillé the Pierre-De Celles Prize in recognition of his excellence as a manager. In April 2002, the Academy of Great Montrealers welcomed Mr. Caillé, citing his exceptional contribution to the prestige and reputation of Greater Montreal. In May 2002, the University of Montreal awarded him an honorary doctorate to underscore his career in the energy and environment fields, in the public as well as in the private sector. In May 2004, the Royal Military College of Canada awarded him an honorary doctorate in engineering.
In June 2004, he was decorated a Knight of the French Legion of Honor by the President of France, receiving the medal in March 2005. This prestigious distinction was awarded in recognition of his commitment to developing and strengthening ties, especially economic ties, between France and Quebec.
In May 1998, Mr. Caillé was inducted into the Order of Merit of the Association des Diplomés de l'Université de Montréal, in recognition of his efforts in enhancing the university's influence and promoting social development. In July 2000, the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) awarded him an honorary doctorate to underscore his role in the development of Quebec society. In November 2000, the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal conferred its Medal of Merit for his support of scientific research, health and education.
In November 2001, the Institut d'administration publique du Quebec awarded Mr. Caillé the Pierre-De Celles Prize in recognition of his excellence as a manager. In April 2002, the Academy of Great Montrealers welcomed Mr. Caillé, citing his exceptional contribution to the prestige and reputation of Greater Montreal. In May 2002, the University of Montreal awarded him an honorary doctorate to underscore his career in the energy and environment fields, in the public as well as in the private sector. In May 2004, the Royal Military College of Canada awarded him an honorary doctorate in engineering.
In June 2004, he was decorated a Knight of the French Legion of Honor by the President of France, receiving the medal in March 2005. This prestigious distinction was awarded in recognition of his commitment to developing and strengthening ties, especially economic ties, between France and Quebec.
David Gottfried - Advisor
David Gottfried has been an investment fund manager, real estate developer, construction manager, and author, and is now a green strategic consultant and globally renowned keynote speaker on green building issues. Mr. Gottfried was the founding Chairman of ASTM's Green Building Committee, and cofounded USGBC in 1993, becoming its first President. As an early pioneer of green buildings, he launched the consulting firm WorldBuild in 1994, and went on to found the World Green Building Council in 1998, which guides the establishment of national green building councils in about 50 countries. Gottfried is the CEO of Regenerative Ventures and the author of 'Greed to Green'.
Mr. Gottfried received his degree in Engineering and Resource Management from Stanford University, and serves as a regular lecturer for Stanford's Civil Engineering Department. He has received the Environmental Enterprise Award from the Acterra Business Environmental Network, and the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Francisco Institute of Architecture.
Mr. Gottfried’s company, Regenerative Ventures, actively partners with entrepreneurs and seasoned corporate management teams, assisting them to establish and achieve their goals in the sustainable building arena. The firm brings a depth of experience, strategic knowledge, technical skills, global brand and access, and ongoing support to its portfolio companies. (www.regenv.com)
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Mr. Gottfried received his degree in Engineering and Resource Management from Stanford University, and serves as a regular lecturer for Stanford's Civil Engineering Department. He has received the Environmental Enterprise Award from the Acterra Business Environmental Network, and the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Francisco Institute of Architecture.
Mr. Gottfried’s company, Regenerative Ventures, actively partners with entrepreneurs and seasoned corporate management teams, assisting them to establish and achieve their goals in the sustainable building arena. The firm brings a depth of experience, strategic knowledge, technical skills, global brand and access, and ongoing support to its portfolio companies. (www.regenv.com)
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