Derek Riley – President
Derek is currently the Chairman and CEO of the corporation, and lead investor in the company. He has had an extensive career in the high tech industry, beginning with IBM in a sales capacity, and several roles with Computerland as a Store Manager, District Manager, Large Account Manager and Divisional VP. Upon the sale of the company, he became an entrepreneur by becoming a Partner in a Franchise company which was ranked as one of Canada’s fastest growing companies by Profit Magazine, and was subsequently sold to Firstservice corporation. Other current investments and Board representation include a Food Processing company and a Virtual Private Club organization.
He is a results oriented leader who excels in an entrepreneurial environment, and has achieved significant results in managing and expanding fast growing companies in different industries. He is a skilled communicator and strong team player, and has solid background in business development, marketing and operations management.
Mr. Riley is a graduate of Queen’s University (B. Comm) and the University of Manitoba (MBA).
Thomas A. Ferencevic – VP Environmental Technology.
Tom Ferencevic is a founding partner of YIELD Renewable Energy Producers Inc., and an agronomist for Forterra Environmental Corp. Tom’s work has focused on applied research and project development in both the agriculture/horticulture and bio-energy sectors. Prior to launching Sweet Earth Bio-Energy (biomass R&D business) Tom worked for government (OMAFRA), non-government (OGVG) and private agri-businesses (Cargill). He has developed and managed research initiatives in the areas of renewable energy, environment, pest management and agronomy. Tom’s expertise and experience come from working in an inter-disciplinary environment in areas such as product development and sales, research project development and implementation, funding application, improving market access and sector competitiveness as well as independent consulting services.
Tom graduated from Trent University with a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science.
Bob Calvert – VP Consulting Services
Bob Calvert is a Professional Engineer who has specialized in developing complex systems in the manufacturing and financial sectors.
After a short stint with Accenture in their manufacturing division, Bob joined CCL Industries where he automated their manufacturing systems at a number of different locations. As a Manager of Manufacturing Automation, Bob was in charge of automating the manufacturing lines and tank mixing for three liquid filling operations, an aerosol plant and a dry material operation. This involved managing the development of simulation systems for better equipment procurement and managing the implementations of PLC systems to automate manufacturing lines.
Bob also managed the installation of a state of the art in line gas blending systems. In 1987, Bob founded a computer consulting company to develop systems for the manufacturing and financial sectors. This company quickly grew to 4 separate business units employing over 100 people. Bob sold the businesses in 2001 and has concentrated on investing in the energy and alternative energy sectors since then.
Brent Haeber – VP Engineering & Operations
Brent Haeber is a founding partner of YIELD and founder of GTC International.
Brent founded GTC International in 1992 to provide specialized engineering and technical support for all facets of gas turbine and reciprocating engine power generation and cogeneration applications. Brent has over 30 years experience in the electrical, controls and related fields. He is a sought after international expert for EPCs and engineering firms on projects ranging from 3 to 600 MW electrical. Highlight projects involving Brent’s technical leadership include administration of preventative maintenance and control system retrofits for the City of New York’s eight gas turbine power plants; start-up and commissioning of a 110 MW combined cycle power plant in south-western Ontario and an industry leading development and construction of a 4 MW district energy plant for a 6-star Caribbean resort complex.
Brent has developed and implemented complex SCADA control retrofit installations that have achieved 100% reliability and uptime. Brent obtained his formal training from British Columbia Institute of Technology and holds journeyman status in the electrical field, inter-provincial trades qualifications and a provincial certificate of competency. Brent is a member in good standing with several leading industry associations including OEL, ISA, IEEE, NFPA, EGSA and IDGTE.
Tobias Finsterwalder – VP Biogas Systems
Tobias is co-founder and Executive Manager of Finsterwalder Umwelttechnick GmbH (FITEC).
As Executive Manager and lead engineer for FITEC, Tobias has been responsible for the design, development and operation of several German and Austrian biogas plants, including BioPower Bernau, Kaiserwinkel and Bioenergie Schlitters.Tobias is also a partner in the IEEA Project BIG East: Biogas for Eastern Europe. Tobias was the principle engineer in the development of the patented FITEC organic waste pre-processing systems, including co-developer of the patented pre-processing pump for removal of non-organic contaminants from organic waste in cooperation with Putzmeister AG. Tobias was a scientific project leader in the partnership High Tech Offensive Byern project BioTop, leading the development of software simulation systems for the assessment of the biological condition of biogas plants.
Prior to founding FITEC, Tobias was an engineer and site supervisor for Dywidag Umweltschutztechnik Ltd working on biogas plants in Singen and Peine, Germany. Tobias has authored several technical papers, including “Computer Simulated Biogas Plants for Planning and Costing” (ISBN 3-935781-02-4) and Preparation of Effluent from the Biogas Fermentation Process” (ISBN 3-935781-04-0).
Rolfe Philip – VP Business Development
Rolfe Philip is the co-founder of NRGen Inc. and a founding partner of YIELD LP. Rolfe is currently located in Seattle, Washington and is heading up YIELD’s business development initiatives as well as taking an active role in strategy development for YIELD’s Ontario based efforts.
Rolfe previously worked as GM/VP for Ericsson Inc., a world leader in wireless telephony and data infrastructure. During his 15 years at Ericsson, Rolfe worked in various business development and management capacities. Most recently Rolfe was responsible for sales and business development for key Ericsson infrastructure accounts, including Rogers, Cingular and TMobile. Prior to Ericsson, Rolfe founded several software distribution ventures.
Rolfe holds an Honours Business Administration (HBA) degree from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from York University.