Kurt Sorschak: Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
Mr. Sorschak co-founded Xebec Adsorption Inc., and developed it from a local compressed air and gas dryer manufacturer into an internationally active gas purification company. He played an important role in establishing strong relationships with different universities and laboratories in Canada and the United States of America, for the development of innovative adsorption based gas purification. In 2011 he joined the Board of Directors of the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance (CNGVA). In 2008, he became the sole director of Xebec China, which serves the Chinese and Asian/Pacific market with gas purification and filtration equipment. From 2004 to 2007, he was the General Manager of the Canadian division of Domnick Hunter's air dryer manufacturing facility, at that time the largest adsorption dryer plant in North America. In 2005, he became the General Manager for the Xebec division of Parker-Hannifin Corporation, a U.S. based multinational, after Parker-Hannifin Corporation bought Domnick Hunter Ltd. In June 2007, he bought the Xebec division from Parker-Hannifin through a management buy-out transaction with two other partners. Mr. Sorschak also worked in different managerial capacities in Europe. He obtained an Associate Degree from the American University in Paris, France, in 1982, and a Masters of Law Degree from the University of Munich, Germany, in 1988.
William Beckett: Director
William Beckett is the Vice President of Canadian Operations of Dart Helicopter Services. He has extensive operations and executive management experience in the Industrial and Aerospace sectors. He started his career with Canadian General Electric, and continued his professional development with other industry leaders including Pratt & Whitney Canada. During this time he developed strong management and technical skills, including an expertise in Lean Manufacturing. He is a Professional Engineer (Mechanical) and a member of the Order of Engineers of Quebec.
Jean Bédard: Director
Mr. Bédard is the managing director and founding partner of BDR Capital, a venture capital firm based in Montreal. Mr. Bédard has extensive experience in venture capital and operations. Prior to founding BDR, he was Investment Director at Solidarity Fund QFL, where he was responsible for the entire high-tech portfolio. Prior to his tenure at Solidarity Fund QFL, Mr. Bédard was president of a nanotechnology start-up company as well as a consultant in the VC industry. As such, he participated in numerous M&A transactions, financing activities and exits. He started his financial career at Desjardins Venture Capital and was Vice President, Investments Telecommunication. He has served and serves on the boards of several IT companies. Mr. Bédard holds a bachelor degree in engineering and brings over 21 years of high-tech experience.
Patrick Palerme: Director
Mr. Palerme is currently Managing Director North America of Global Change Leaders. He is Chairman of the board of directors of the Fondation du Centre Jeunesse de Montréal, and a member of the board of directors of the Fondation Québec Jeunes. Mr. Palerme was the President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Capital Canada (commercial financing solutions) from 2005 to 2010. Previously, Mr. Palerme was Chief Operating Officer of GE Capital Solutions Canada (from 2001 to 2004) and Chief Financial Officer of GE Commercial Equipment Financing Canada (from 1993 to 2001).
John Shakeshaft: Director
Mr. Shakeshaft is chairman of Ludgate Environmental, an AIM listed investment company specializing in the cleantech sector, also of Valiance Special Opportunities Fund of Funds and Co-Investment Fund and investment committee chair and advisory director of Corestone, AG, a Zug based fiduciary investment manager owned by Robeco. He is also a non-executive director and chair of the audit committee of Tele2 AB, a telecom company listed on the Stockholm Bourse, of Carnegie, AB, an investment bank listed on the Stockholm Bourse, of TEB, NV, a trade finance bank owned by BNP Paribas and the Colakoglu Group in Amsterdam and of TT Electronics plc, an electronic sensors manufacturing company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Mr. Shakeshaft has over 20 years corporate finance experience in the City of London and held senior positions at Lazard, Barings and Morgan Stanley. He is also an external member of the audit committee of Cambridge University, a trustee of the Institute of Historical Research, London University and chairman of The Bush Theatre. He was educated at Cambridge, Princeton and London Universities.