For Immediate Release August 1, 2002
Questair Technologies Inc Announces
Appointment of CEO and Executive Chairman
BURNABY, BC - QuestAir Technologies Inc. announced today that
Chairman and CEO Denis Connor is stepping back from day-to-day
management to become fulltime Executive Chairman of the Board.
Dr. Connor has led the company for five years as it progressed
its gas purification technology from engineering studies to
commercial application in fuel cells and other industrial markets.
Dr. Connor, 62, is succeeded as CEO by Jonathan Wilkinson,
37, who joined QuestAir in 1999, and has been President and
Chief Operating Officer since May of 2001.
David Berkowitz of Ventures West Capital Ltd. of Vancouver,
QuestAir's largest shareholder, said Dr. Connor has been instrumental
in building the company from 15 to 100 employees since he
joined QuestAir in 1998. "As CEO, Denis has driven significant
advances in a promising world-class technology, and successfully
raised multiple rounds of equity financing for the company.
He has built a strong management team, added supportive strategic
shareholders, and positioned the company for the future."
Dr. Connor said the management change is part of QuestAir's
orderly succession plan that also allows him to focus more
closely on technology strategy issues, external relations,
and on working with the board of directors. "Jonathan
has effectively managed the day-to-day operations of the company
and the development of key strategic alliances. His skills
in these areas will continue to be of critical importance
as we work towards the wide-scale commercialization of our
gas purification technology."
Commenting on his objectives for the coming year, Mr. Wilkinson
said, "My objectives are firstly to grow QuestAir's early-term
revenues though expanded sales of QuestAir's first generation
HyQuestor® hydrogen purification units. Secondly, we hope
to conclude a deal with another strategic partner to provide
us with paths to market in the stationary fuel cell and hydrogen
refueling fields."
Dr. Connor joined QuestAir Technologies Inc. as CEO in January
1998. During the late 1980's and prior to joining QuestAir,
he headed the Science Council of British Columbia for two
years and then consulted to technology start-ups, serving
as a technology advisor and on the boards of a number of such
companies. From 1969 to 1976 he worked at the Bell Laboratories
of AT&T and at the research labs of Nortel. He joined
MacDonald Dettwiler in 1976 and spent 12 years in various
positions from vice-president of engineering to executive
vice-president of business development. Dr. Connor is a founding
director of Fuel Cells Canada, an industry association. He
is a professional engineer and holds a Ph.D. in electrical
engineering from the University of British Columbia.
Since joining QuestAir as VP Business Development and later
as President and COO, Mr. Wilkinson has played a leading role
in QuestAir's strategic and operational initiatives, including
the formation of key partnerships with fuel cell and industrial
gas companies. Prior to joining QuestAir, Mr. Wilkinson was
a Manager in the Toronto office of Bain & Company, a leading
global strategy consulting firm. Jonathan's background includes
experience in the telecommunications, financial services,
transportation and forest products industries. A Rhodes Scholar,
Mr. Wilkinson graduated from the University of Saskatchewan
in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree; from Oxford University
in 1990 with an Master of Arts degree in politics, philosophy
and economics; and from McGill University in 1991 with an
Master of Arts degree in international relations. In 1996
he completed the Executive Development Program at the Richard
Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario.
About QuestAir Technologies, Inc.
QuestAir Technologies, Inc. has developed proprietary gas
purification technology that is being applied to several large
existing and emerging world markets, including industrial
hydrogen production and stationary and automotive fuel cells.
QuestAir's proprietary fast-cycle pressure swing adsorption
("PSA") technology allows the developers of fuel
cell systems to increase the efficiency of their products,
and offers a compact, cost effective gas purification solution
to QuestAir's industrial customers and developers of hydrogen
refueling infrastructure. QuestAir is a private company based
in Burnaby, British Columbia whose shareholders and strategic
partners include Ballard Power Systems and the BOC Group.
-30-
For further information please contact:
Media contact
Anna Wright
James Hoggan + Associates Inc.
Tel: 604-739-7500
Email: awright@hoggan.com
QuestAir contact
Andrew Hall
Manager of Planning and External Communications
QuestAir Technologies, Inc.
Tel. (604) 454-1134 ext. 338
Email: hall@questairinc.com
Website: www.questairinc.com
|
