OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM
We understand tech companies are only as good as the people behind them.
The only way to create breakthrough technology is with great employees who genuinely enjoy
their jobs and share the same goals and passion.
At Ekona, we are creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment where your input counts. Our employees have diverse
backgrounds, we take pride in our work and we truly want to grow an impactful and positive company.
Please meet the highly experienced and innovative people behind
this ground-breaking technology:
Chris Reid,
CEO
CEO
Chris Reid,
Qualifications:
Technology and business leader with 25 years of experience developing energy and hardware technology ventures.
Education:
M.A.Sc., University of Victoria, IESVIc; B.Sc., University of Manitoba, Mechanical Engineering
Focus:
Innovation, technology development and business models, venture development
Interests:
Skiing, golfing, biking, writing and music
Gary Schubak,
VP Business Development & Government Relations
Qualifications:
Professional mechanical engineer with over 25 years of experience developing and commercializing clean energy, hydrogen and fuel cell technology, with experience in market development, customer engagement and sales.
Education:
M.A.Sc., University of Victoria, B.A.Sc., University of British Columbia, Mechanical Engineering
Focus:
Program management, marketing, sales
Interests:
Golfing, playing drums and piano
VP Business Development & Government Relations
Gary Schubak,
Ken Kratschmar,
Program Manager
Program Manager
Ken Kratschmar,
Qualifications:
Professional engineer with 25 years of experience in mechanical and process engineering, product development and management.
Education:
M.A.Sc., University of Victoria, IESVIc; B.Sc., University of Manitoba, Mechanical Engineering
Focus:
Innovation, technology development
Interests:
Tennis, beach volleyvall, soccer (Go Whitecaps!), and dog walking
David Leboe,
Product Development
Product Development
David Leboe,
Qualifications:
Professional Engineer with more than 20 years of technical and management experience in clean energy platforms, including renewable power systems and smart grid technology.
Education:
B.Eng., University of Victoria
Focus:
Innovation, technology development
Interests:
Cycling, adventure, music and problem solving
Jackie Hesketh
CFO
CFO
Jackie Hesketh,
Donald Kendrick
CTO
CTO
Donald Kendrick,
Qualifications:
25 years of experience in the power generation, renewable energy and product development & commercialization fields.
Education:
BaSc. Mechanical Engineering UBC, MS/PhD Mechanical Engineering Caltech, PostDocs: 1. CalTech (high-speed gas dynamics) and 2. Ecole Centrale Paris (rocket propulsion)
Focus:
Combustion, high-speed fluid dynamics, rockets, propulsion, renewable energy
Interests:
Woodworking, classic cars, hiking, hockey
Heather Allen,
Director of Many Things
Qualifications:
20 years' experience in operations and administration from a variety of industries.
Education:
Degree in Media Studies-Public Relations (Hons), and in Business Management
Focus:
Operations, administration, finance and more
Interests:
Cycling, trailblazing, podcasts and puzzles
Director of Many Things
Heather Allen,
Nathan Barrett,
Systems Engineer
Qualifications:
Systems Engineer with 10 years of experience in developing emerging technology in the transportation and renewable energy industries.
Education:
B.A.Sc., University of British Columbia, Engineering Physics
Focus:
System design, technology and product development
Interests:
Skiing, running, cycling, hiking and getting lost (and found) outside
Systems Engineer
Nathan Barrett,
Harold Burgess,
Accounting
Accounting Controller
Harold Burgess,
Qualifications:
A progressive finance executive with over 18 years in technology, hospitality, mining, legal, manufacturing and distribution industries.
Education:
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA CMA), BA Simon Fraser University.
Focus:
Finance and operations
Interests:
Golf, squash, basketball, tennis and music
Tim Coleman,
Lead Engineer - Reactor
Qualifications:
Professional Engineer with 18 years of experience in product design/technology development, most of which has been in the alternative energy sector. Designed cryogenic liquid natural gas/hydrogen fuel pumps, electronic marine throttle controls and water rides in amusement parks.
Education:
B.ASc Mechanical Engineering
Focus:
Technology and product development
Interests:
Mountain biking, racing cars, snowboarding and good food
Lead Engineer - Reactor
Tim Coleman,
Brian Brittain,
Facilities & Test Infrastructure Specialist
Qualifications:
24 years R&D experience in a variety of industries, led multiple pilot plant projects from design through to operation, project management.
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry and Co-op Education Science.
Focus:
Facility management
Interests:
Mountain biking, snowboarding, soccer Dad
Facilities & Test Infrastructure Specialist
Brian Brittain,
Brendan Cade,
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Brendan Cade,
Qualifications:
P.Eng, B.Sc Mechanical Engineering
Education:
University of Manitoba
Focus:
Thermofluids and mechanical design
Interests:
Running, cycling, typical Vancouver things
Wayne Lauschke,
Procurement
Qualifications:
20 years of Logistics & Supply Chain in the engineering industry.
Education:
Various Canadian Supply Chain and Logistics courses
Focus:
Purchasing and receiving
Interests:
Family, reading (factual stuff), biking, gardening
Procurement
Wayne Lauschke,
Dana Mraz,
Process Engineer
Qualifications:
Experience in the sulphuric acid industry.
Education:
B.A.Sc., University of British Columbia, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Focus:
Process modelling, technology development
Interests:
Ultimate frisbee, hiking, snowboarding, reading
Process Engineer
Dana Mraz,
Mike Elsinga,
Program Manager, Field Deployments
Program Manager, Field Deployments
Mike Elsinga,
Qualifications:
Professional Engineer, B.C. and Alberta with 33 years experience in Heavy Industry with background in Process Control and Instrumentation.
Education:
B.Sc. UBC, Dipl Tech, BCIT
Focus:
Field scale deployment of demonstration plant
Interests:
Mountain biking, music production, Time Attack racing, cooking
Milo Del Bigio
Mechanical Design Engineer
Qualifications:
Experience in low volume manufacturing
Education:
B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba
Focus:
Mechanical design and GD&T
Interests:
Rock climbing, cycling, fixing mechanical watches
Mechanical Design Engineer
Milo Del Bigio,
Charles Li,
Technology, Analysis
Qualifications:
Engineering analyst with automotive industry experience of over 18 years in the areas of computer modelling for engineering problems including heat transfer, fluid dynamics and mechanics.
Education:
PhD degrees in engineering, a B.S degree in computational mathematics from Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.
Focus:
Technology, analysis, computer simulation
Interests:
Gardening, reading
Charles Li,
Technology, Analysis
Technology, Analysis
Charles Li,
Qualifications:
Engineering analyst with automotive industry experience of over 18 years in the areas of computer modelling for engineering problems including heat transfer, fluid dynamics and mechanics.
Education:
PhD degrees in engineering, a B.S degree in computational mathematics from Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.
Focus:
Technology, analysis, computer simulation
Interests:
Gardening, reading
Lisa Malin,
Program Manager
Qualifications:
Project management professional with a track record of creating innovation ecosystems within the industrial chemical sector.
Education:
B.A.Sc. in Engineering Physics, PhD in Material Engineering, PMP, DAP
Focus:
Facilitating teams to develop impactful technologies.
Interests:
Skiing, biking, hiking, sports that get you out there.
Program Manager
Lisa Malin,
Shawn Esquivel,
Process Engineer In Training
Qualifications:
Fresh out of the university and is eager to learn.
Education:
B.A.Sc., University of British Columbia, Chemical Engineering
Focus:
Process modelling, technology development
Interests:
Basketball, biking, reading, hiking
Process Engineer In Training
Shawn Esquivel,
Neha Patoley,
Accounting
Qualifications:
12 years of experience working in ITES, manufacturing and service industry in the field of financial reporting, audits, accounting, taxation
Education:
Chartered Accountant (India)
Focus:
Financial reporting and accounting
Interests:
Hiking, travelling and cooking
Accounting
Neha Patoley,
