William has an MSc degree in ecology and limnology from Miami University (Ohio), an MBA degree from Northeastern University (Boston) and a PhD degree in experimental biology from the University of Auckland. William’s background is unique in that it combines high level experience in both the financial services industry and science.

During the last five years he has acted as a biotechnology industry specialist for Industry New Zealand, an independent consultant to the New Zealand biotechnology industry and a principal and partner in Bio-Strategy Associates Limited and Managing Director of Bio Strategies New Ventures. He is currently a Director of Capstone Partners (New Zealand) Limited and Deputy Director of the Trust Board of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

William has spent fifteen years in banking and finance where he managed the treasury function for one of America’s largest investment companies (Fidelity Investments) and where in New Zealand he was the managing director of ANZ McCaughan Securities NZ Limited (a bank-owned stock brokering company). William’s primary interest is in helping the country to develop its technological capabilities in science.

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Albert Jokubaitis BE, MBA
Director (Australia)

Albert Jokubaitis graduated from Melbourne University with an Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and completed an MBA from Melbourne.

Albert is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with proven ability in the formulation and execution of strategy. He has a track record of turning around unprofitable operations, through the enhancement of the human capital of the organisation, and has skills in financial management and continuous operational performance improvement. Albert has demonstrated the ability to innovate and manage the associated risks in technology innovation to achieve sustainable revenue and bottom line growth.

Albert worked with Ericsson AB Australia rising from Engineering Manager to Managing Director RIFA. Moving to the UK he became Director of Manufacturing Ericsson UK. In the early 1990’s he was Director Private Market Division Ericsson Australia and from 1992 he was President Business Mobile Networks BV, The Netherlands. The latter position involved membership of the Board of Management for Business Area operations in France and the US.

Albert returned to Australia as Group General Manager Industrial Products Group for Email from 1996 to 2002 including from 1998 Chief Executive Email Metering. From 2003, Albert formed Technology Commercialisation Services Pty Ltd as an Alliance Partner with Invetech/Vision Systems and is based in Melbourne.

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Chris Coombe BCom, CA, Dip. Tchg
Director (New Zealand)

Chris is a finance professional with unique business experience gained in a number of different sized companies, ranging from Corporate to Co-ops to Small Medium Enterprises. In addition to being an experienced accountant, Chris has a broad commercial background that covers general management, marketing and strategy development. Working as a consultant, Chris has an interest to assist businesses to successfully develop their ideas and technologies.

Most recently, Chris was the General Manager of a domestic produce marketer, Leader Brand Marketing. He has also held senior positions in ZESPRI International (Group Treasurer and Strategy & Financial Planning Manager) and with Air New Zealand (Manager IS & Strategy, Manager Marketing & Business Performance, and Manager Cargo Finance).

Chris commenced his accounting career in the audit and assurance division of Arthur Andersen after graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Commerce (accounting). He also studied at the Auckland College of Education, graduating with a Diploma in Teaching. Chris is a Chartered Accountant (CA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand, and a Certified Finance and Investment Professional with the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand Inc.

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Kim Walker BE, MBA
Director (Australia)

Kim holds an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from Melbourne University and an MBA from Melbourne Business School.

Kim spent the first five years of his professional career as a design and project engineer with ICI Engineering (now Orica). Since the completion of an MBA in 1988, Kim has successfully undertaken executive marketing/management consulting positions for a range of businesses including Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), EDS, Invetech and NCL (now Austrim). He has also established and run consulting/e-commerce businesses.

Over the last 5 years, Kim has been directly involved in the commercialisation of new technology, through his role as manager of the commercialisation consulting resources of Invetech, and more recently as a director of Technology Commercialisation Services based in Melbourne.

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