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| Board of Directors | ||
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Our Board of Directors are a group of people who meet certain Criteria for membership and are elected to the Board every two years. We currently have 5 members of the Board of Directors, 3 of them are “independent”. Our Board of Directors hold the ultimate authority of the company, except to the extent shareholders are granted certain powers under the company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws. The Board: |
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Our management team has extensive experience building businesses in both domestic and international business settings. We are entrepreneurial and growth oriented. We have proven ability to manage high-growth in a rapidly changing business environment, with the application of cutting edge technology and the delivery of high-quality products at low cost. |
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| Mr. Y. Daniel Gezahegne Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Ardent Energy Group, Inc. is led by its founder and chairman Mr. Yemane Daniel Gezahegne. Mr. Gezahegne brings to the company a large degree of experience, talent and resources. Mr. Gezahegne has an extensive experience in the field of finance and risk management. He has exceptional skills in marketing and sales operations as well as developing strong distribution channels. He brings strong leadership skills and business knowhow. He has assembled a highly experienced team with an in-depth knowledge of their respective fields that will be critical to the success of AEG. Prior to that he founded and a Financial Services Sales management and Advisory firm with emphasis in employee benefits and retirement planning. Mr. Gezahegne has established himself as an expert in Tax Advantaged Retirement Planning for individuals and corporations. He was responsible for harvesting $62,000,000 assets under management. He was the founder and president of Neobrite Industries, Inc. a commercial sign manufacturing company which he built and later sold to a larger company. Prior to that he founded and operated COR companies, a Ratite breeding enterprise which he later sold. Mr. Gezahegne was a past member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, the International Employee Benefits Society, the National Tax Sheltered Annuity Association. He has served on the California Poultry Federation Board and three non-profit organizations as president. Mr. Gezahegne did his undergraduate studies in economics, specializing in Financial Planning. Coupled with his extensive experience in management, Mr. Gezahegne is ideally prepared to lead AEG. | ||
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| Jim Hicks | ||
| Mr. Hicks has served several companies as V.P. of Finance, giving him a broad background and experience in creating financial stability in differing environments. He has worked with a variety of clients in the freight transportation industry. Jim brings experience with heavy focus in finance. Prior to Ardent Energy Group, he was Vice President of Finance and controller with Tiger Lines LLC. Mr. Hicks was responsible for all financial planning, reporting and accounting. He worked closely with lending institutions in securing financing and financial management. Prior to that he had work with Alegre Trucking Inc., in similar positions. Prior to that he was a Tax Analyst with the Tandem Computers in Cupertino, California. Jim has worked for Adolph Coors Company, as a senior Tax Accountant and a controller with CIF Management Corporation. Mr. Hicks holds B.S. in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Taxation from the University of Denver, Colorado. He holds a Certified Public Accountant Certificate from the same university. | ||
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| Mr. Fassil Gabremariam | ||
| Mr. Gabramariam is the founder/President of US Africa Free Enterprise Education Foundation. He provides extensive expertise in Finance and Management, a distinct advantage for AEG as we introduce our products. Mr. Gabremariam , was V.P. of financial planning & treasurer of Intermedia Communications where he directed the corporation’s capital raising, financial planning and accounting. Prior to that, he was V.P of Finance , with the GTE corporation for 25 years both in domestic and international assignments. He is currently an active partner of WET Systems, Inc., and Cybrix Group, companies that are involved in leading edge and highly sophisticated technologies in their respective markets. He serves on the board of directors of Netwolves corporation, and Board Member of the Federal Reserve, Jacksonville Branch. He is a member of the Board of Trustee of the University of Tampa, The Council in Foreign Relations and the Society of International Business Fellows. Mr. Gabremariam holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University and an MBA from University of Chicago. | ||
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| Mr. Brent W. Andrews | ||
| Mr. Andrews is V.P of InterState Oil Company, whose function is the wholesale distribution of petroleum products and various alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel and ten fuel stations. With his leadership, InterState Oils business has changed dramatically to stay in tune with the industry. He was instrumental for expanding their territory from Bakersfield to the Oregon border and all of Northern Nevada. Mr. Andrews introduced the distribution of alternative fuels such as biodiesel, ethanol from their strategically located bulk fuels and rail terminal in Sacramento. InterState Oil Company has grown to be one of the largest wholesale petroleum distributers in Northern California and Nevada. He serves on the Pacific Oil Conference Executive Board of Directors, and the Yolo County Farm Bureau Advisory Council. Mr. Andrews works closely with State Departments both in providing alternative fuels and in helping develop clean air policies. Mr. Andrews holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. | ||
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| Mr. Kebede Daniel Gashaw |
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| Mr. Gashaw, is an International business developer with The Morning Star Company and brings over 20 years of experience working in Agricultural related operations. He was instrumental in establishing two tomato harvesting and processing companies. Mr. Gashaw, has been involved in the formation of joint ventures with an Italian firm in a nursery business and with a Turkish company in the harvesting and processing of tomato. This is important for AEG due to our focus on farming and processing, Mr Gashaw will provide invaluable insight and direction. Prior to that, he was an Agricultural Economist with the State of California, Department of Food & Agriculture. He founded and operated Axum Commodities, Inc. a commodities trading advisory firm. He has also served as a Marketing Director and commodities trader and hedger, with the Wolfson Land & Cattle Company. He is highly skilled in creating strategic partnerships in multi-national settings. Mr. Gashaw hold an MBA in Agribusiness, and an M.S.c in Agricultural Science. |
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