Profiles

Dr Louis Arnoux, Managing Director: Louis is founder and Managing Director of the IndraNet Group of Companies. He holds a Masters of Engineering degree from ENSIA, Paris, France, and a PhD (Development) from Sorbonne University, Paris, France. Louis has 37 years experience in industrial development, R&D, technology development, transfer and marketing. He has worked in a change management capacity with some of the largest state owned and private sector organisations in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand as well as with small start-up ventures, focusing on technology transfers, marketing and accelerated market diffusion of new technologies. Louis has considerable market research and marketing experience in the domain of new technology. Achievements are wide ranging from process industries through energy infrastructures, transport and communications.

Louis’ key focus is in managing the complex processes that begin with novel ideas and lead to new industries producing disruptive technologies, products and services through processes of technology substitution. He has worked closely with European, Australian, New Zealand, and Asian private sector and government bodies in the energy, transport, water and waste management infrastructure industries, assisting in a number of restructuring, long range planning, and new industrial development processes. As part of this work he has been involved in the fostering, management and evaluation of numerous innovation processes.

During the 1980s, in the context of the then New Zealand Energy and Research Development Committee (NZERDC), Louis has been responsible for programming, planning, budgeting and evaluating several thousand research proposals and projects distributed over more than 200 private sector and university bodies and in developing international relations with a wide range of related overseas R&D and innovation bodies, private and public. During this period he was part of the Government – Industry Value Adding Partnership and task force that created the New Zealand CNG Industry in response to the second oil shock. From a set of lab results and a zero-base start industrially, the VAP achieved its objectives and commercially converted 10% on the New Zealand fleet over a five-year period and exported its technology and expertise globally. The VAP covered all aspects required by the accelerated creation of an entire new industry, including vehicles conversions, refuelling network, engineering and commercial training, insurance, regulations and standards, financing, market research, marketing and advertising to professional audiences and the general public.

In recent years, Louis has co-invented the IndraNet Technology and played a key part in the creation and promotion of IndraNet Technologies Ltd with a view to develop and commercialise the IndraNet broadband communication technology, allied technologies and applications in the communications, energy and transport sectors. In parallel, Louis has developed a strong business relationship and alliance with Moteur Development International s.a.

Louis’ objective, jointly with associate company MDI, is in contributing to the emergence of a global “Plan B” and the accelerated transition to the necessary, sustainable, non-hierarchical, distributed, communication, energy and transport infrastructures that the world now urgently requires to address cost effectively, competitively and in time the global issues of Peak Oil, fast declining net energy from fossil fuels and rapid Climate Change.

Guy Nègre, Director: Guy is Founder and Managing Director of Moteur Development International s.a. (MDI). He is the main inventor of the MDI Technology.

Guy is a 66 year old engineer who has over 100 engine patents to his name, including 3 key patents co-owned with the French oil company ELF and 2 jointly with Institut Français du Pétrole (French Petroleum Institute).

Guy has created over 100 engines including Formula 1 and light aircraft engines. He is now world known for his compressed air engine and the new thermodynamic cycle he invented.

From 1970 to 1975 Guy worked with the RENAULT car manufacturer. From 1976 to 1983, he then managed the SACMA Company that produced aircraft engines (financed by the French Government). He then moved on to produce Formula 2 engines. From 1987 to 1991, this led him to manage the MGN Company focused on the design of Formula 1 engines. This is when he acquired international notoriety.

His work on Formula 1 engines led him to the concept of compressed air engines. In 1991 he incorporated MDI with the aim of designing clean and efficient engines. The initial pioneering work led to the first trials in 1992 of cars running on compressed air. Since then he has produced a series of compressed air engine models to arrive at the present designs that are being readied for commercial release late 2007 and early 2008.

Guy is also the inventor and developer of the MDI distributed manufacturing process for all applications of the MDI Technology that enables reducing vehicle manufacturing costs by 75%.

John Mennega, Finance Director: John is an investment banker with extensive experience in finance and commercialisation of early stage and expanding businesses, many of whom he has significant shareholdings in. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate engineering degrees, a master degree in business administration, and a graduate diploma in finance & investment with the Securities Institute where he has also been a principal lecturer. Prior to his current assignments, John has headed funds management services of AMP Asset Management (with then funds of $80 billion) and corporate services with the Colonial Bank. He has consulted on business development to funds managers such as Platinum Asset Management, currently managing $23 billion, and to major Australian superannuation funds via IPAC Securities. He is currently Managing Director of boutique investment bank and corporate advisory firm Investment Capital, a firm focused on capital raising, management buyouts, corporate succession, and business expansion. He also holds directorships with a number of other companies. John’s primary focus presently is as Finance Director of IndraNet’s subsidiary commercialisation companies. John is based in Sydney.

Russell Fitts, J.P., Director, Corporate Governance: Russell has a multidisciplinary background. Russell graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in Farm Management and Property Valuation. He has spent a major part of his career farming in Mid-Canterbury, during which time he was thoroughly involved in many aspects of the rural community including a part time valuation practice and executive responsibilities within the Regional Federated Farmers. He has an in depth understanding and appreciation of the numerous “tools” required to develop social and business opportunities within rural and urban communities. He is an Associate Member of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and a Senior Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand. Russell became a foundation shareholder of IndraNet Technologies Limited and has been Chairman of the Company since its inception. Russell plays a key role in ensuring sound corporate governance and a strong corporate culture.

Michael (Mick) Kain, Director: Mick's main activity over the last 20 years has been as a professional investor. Through the due diligence process that led to the creation of IndraNet, Mick saw the potential of the technology. Since inception, Mick has played a key role in the corporate development of the venture and in securing the flow of funding required for its accelerated development.

Richard Hutchinson, Business Development Manager – Australia: Richard has been involved in the telecommunications industry in Australia for over 12 years having gained experience with technology deployment, sales and support across many levels. This experience has been a journey from the beginnings of the PC to facsimile and cordless telephony then through the introduction and growth of mobile digital and into the mysterious world of VoIP and current integration systems. From 2003, onwards Richard focused on the convergence of data/voice/video and energy, which he perceived as imminent and necessary both economically and environmentally. It became clear to him that existing technologies and legacy networks were inadequate to resolve or even to support solutions to emerging market demands and environmental constraints. This led to his involvement in the development of the IndraNet business. Richard is based near Melbourne.

Kristina Barker, Business Development Manager – New Zealand: Kristina holds a Bachelor of Business Studies degree with a postgraduate qualification in the field of Informatics. Kristina has 20 years of broad-based experience in the New Zealand public and private sectors, including service and system design, implementation and management. Kristina has particular strengths in service network development, relationship management, and commercial arrangement negotiation and management. She is currently managing technology transfer showcase development and research projects in Christchurch, New Zealand. Kristina is based in Christchurch.

Michael Walsh, Business Development Manager – Victoria: Michael has been involved within the IT and Telecommunications Industry for the past 19 years with involvement across Government and Corporate organisations. His career experience includes Business Development Management, Product Management, Operations Management and Chief Executive Officer at State and National levels for National and International businesses. Michael’s customer focus is strongly grounded in ethical values. Michael brings with him a mind that is lateral, flexible and open to change which is valuable when applying change management strategies across business, products and staff. Michael identifies with the need for humankind to better manage its ecological systems and reconnect with nature in order to face major climate and energy challenges. More specifically, he is motivated to stimulate and drive change that addresses the global Peak Oil issues and the need for alternatives to replace fossil fuels. Michael is actively involved in developing awareness of sustainable technologies to Government, Commercial and Domestic markets and receiving excellent results. Michael’s personal global objective is to see all domestic and commercial business using Green and Lean power solutions within 10 years, to see all land, sea and air transport that exists today moved to green and lean solutions with 20 years.

Matthew Ahearn, Website Development, Web-based Communications, and Publishing: prior to setting up Shoshin Design Ltd in 2000 Matthew has worked for leading design firms in Australia and New Zealand. Matthew has a wide range of experience in Integrated Communications, Branding & Communications, Multimedia Flash Animation, Print Advertising, Print and Graphic Design, Search Engine Optimisation, Web Design, Photography, Audio and Video Production. As principal of Shoshin Design Ltd, Matthew offers valued and specialist services empathetically customised to suit the culture and branding of the company.

Dr Cyril Nègre, MDI Director and R & D Department Manager, MDI: Cyril is a 36-year-old engineer (PhD Mechanical Engineering) who began his career in 1990 with the computing department of the Bugatti Automobili car design company in Campogaliano, Italy. He took part in the EB110 and EB112 Projects. In 1993 he joined MDI to manage MDI’s R & D Department. He is presently over viewing the final stages of the commercial release of the first series of MDI engines and cars.

Andrew McGregor, ITL Director, Scientific Advisor: Andrew holds a BSc (Hons) (Physics) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Andrew is one of the two co-inventors of IndraNet. His main background is in Maths, Astronomy, Physics, and Physics related Computer Science applied to networks. He has an intimate knowledge of industry and technology trends, the constraints and limits of wired technology, and the potential of wireless communication technology. Andrew has extensive Internet and communications engineering experience.

John Collis, IndraNet CTO: John has a multidisciplinary background: Mus B (Hons), M. Mus., Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Compaq Certified Systems Engineer (ASE). John has extensive experience in all aspects of the development and operation of the Internet (from a practical engineering and programming perspective), development and implementation of wireless networking, LAN and WAN systems, PC based point of sale systems, mail and groupware solutions and software and hardware product integration. John is an expert in Unix and Linux systems and was Professional Systems Services Engineer at Fujitsu (NZ) Ltd.

Dr Herman Wezenberg, Energy Applications Manager: Herman holds a B Eng (Hons) and PhD (Electrical and Electronics) from University of Canterbury and is a member of the Royal Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE, UK). He received his PhD on the use of neural networks for residential energy management and energy demand predictions. The same concept is applicable to commercial and industrial facilities. Herman has 20 years experience in a range of network industries, including the electrical, oil, and telecommunication industries. He has held previous management positions and assignments with NZ Telecom, European Engineering & Construction Services, Schlumberger Technical Services, and NZ Department of Energy. Herman is developing IndraNet’s Energy Management R&D programme.

Dr Derek Smithies. B Sc (Hons) in Physics, and PhD in Medical Physics, Senior Programmer and Engineer: Derek has in-depth knowledge and experience in advanced programming, operating systems, system software and related development work. He has demonstrated a unique ability to solve complex problems that others avoid. Derek’s area of specialisation concerns the development of VoIP, and multimedia IP solutions. Over the last five years he has acquired extensive knowledge of and experience with the challenges faced by VoIP and multimedia streaming in wireless IP networks.

Dr Jun Tang, Senior Hardware Engineer: Hardware Design and Firmware Programming: Jun holds a PhD (Electronic & Electrical) from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Dept of Radio Technology. She has considerable experience in design and construction of custom electronic equipment, such as microprocessors and DSP (digital signal processors) systems, and in software for computer and embedded application systems in particular in networks and telecommunications. Prior to moving to New Zealand, Jun has worked for eight years in the Chinese electronics and telecommunications industry.

Mike Eades (Oldham College of Technology, Electronic Servicing and Audio and Video Transmission; UK Royal Corps of Signals (HND) in Electronic Engineering; BSc, Data communications; HND in Telecommunications, UK; Data communications [Energis Ltd] – Cisco CCNA . MSCA+. SDH, PDH, ATM, ISDN, PCM,STM-1-16 multiplexing, Frame relay, TCP/ IP, Voice over IP, and IP select), Senior Deployment Network Engineer: Mike began the first part of his career in the radio communication equipment supply industry in the UK. He then joined the Ministry of Defence, Royal Signals, where he worked for 11 years in a variety of network deployment and radio transmission areas. He then joined Energis Ltd in the UK, the National Grid and the largest communication network in the UK. In 2003 he moved to New Zealand to take over the management of Integrated Communications Ltd, a family business. Having sold this business he is now joining the IndraNet Team to bring his experience to bear for the deployment of networks in New Zealand and abroad.

Wayne McLachlan, New Zealand Certificate in Engineering, with distinction – electronics and computer technology, Senior Hardware Engineer – Hardware Design and Integration: Wayne has over 10 years experience in the design of custom electronic equipment, in particular the engineering of embedded electronics equipment, and related software engineering. Prior to joining the IndraNet Team, Wayne has worked with a wide range of companies in the electronics and telecommunications industry in New Zealand and abroad, as an employee, a contractor or a consultant, including Beech Communications and Bluewater Systems Ltd, AuCom Electronics Ltd, Hamilton Jet Ltd, and PinesGroup, Miami, USA.

Michael Williams, Dip. in Radio Elec., NZCE stage 5 certificates in Microprocessor hardware and software, Senior Systems Management and Security Engineer: Michael has extensive experience in systems software, network security and systems integration. His specialisation areas include securing networks and wireless network security.

Phillip Foubister, B.Com, LLB (Hons), ACA, Business Manager and Accounts: Phillip is a chartered accountant with a broad financial background covering financial process, planning and strategy, and business development. Prior to joining IndraNet in February 2006, he spent 7 years working for AXA in the UK culminating as Head of Business Finance responsible for the AXA UK’s general insurance company’s strategy and planning process, executive and management reporting and financial support to the business. Early in his career he trained with Deloitte in audit, insolvency, and consultancy, leaving for a financial controller and company secretary role with a NZ Stock Exchange company.