"The appointment of Dirk Andreas is another milestone for Enerkem's tremendous recent growth, as the company continues to focus on developing, building and implementing its current commercial-scale waste-to-ethanol projects in the U.S. and Canada, as well as preparing for expansion with its new developments," said Vincent Chornet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enerkem. "Dirk's extensive energy sector business development skills - coupled with Patrice's proven leadership and success over the past year - will contribute to crystallizing Enerkem's market leadership in the advanced biofuels market."
Dirk was most recently the Managing Director and the Midwest Regional Vice President of Business Development for Iberdrola Renewables Inc., which is the largest owner-operator of wind-powered generation in the world. With solid experience in the energy sector, including the development, construction, operations and maintenance of wind, coal and natural gas-fired power plants, Dirk also has a strong track record in mergers and acquisitions and "greenfield" developments.
Patrice joined Enerkem as Chief Financial Officer in February 2010. He is an experienced finance executive whose leadership will continue to drive Enerkem's growth momentum. Patrice is based in Montreal, Quebec (Canada), while Dirk will be based in Chicago, Illinois (U.S.).
About Enerkem
Enerkem is a leading waste-to-biofuels company. Its proprietary clean technology converts waste, such as unrecyclable household garbage, demolition debris and residues from used utility poles, into clean transportation fuels and advanced chemicals. Founded in 2000, the company currently operates two plants in Canada: a pilot facility in Sherbrooke, QC and a commercial demonstration plant in Westbury, QC. In August 2010, Enerkem started construction of its waste-to-biofuels plant in Edmonton, AB, Canada, which was awarded CAD$23 million in funding from the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton. The company is simultaneously developing a similar project in Mississippi, U.S.A., for which it was awarded US$50 million in funding by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). www.enerkemweb.wpengine.com
Marie-Hélène Labrie
Vice-President, Government Affairs and Communications
Enerkem Inc.
514.875.0284 x 231
mlabrie@enerkem.com