MICHAEL C. VOLKER
Personal
Profile
March,
2007
SUMMARY
Michael Volker, BASc('72), MASc('73) University of Waterloo, P.Eng., is a high-technology entrepreneur and investor
involved in the development of technology-based businesses. He is Director of
Simon Fraser University's Industry
Liaison Office (since Dec'96) and President and Founder of WUTIF Capital (VCC) Inc - the Western
Universities Technology Innovation Fund. In 1966, as a student entrepreneur,
he was awarded the National Junior Achievement President-of-the-Year
award. He received the University of
Waterloo Alumni Achievement Medal in September, 1995. He served a
maximum term as a Governor of the University
of Waterloo from
1987-1993. His business career started in 1973 when he founded Volker-Craig
Ltd., a computer terminals company that was acquired in 1981. Since then
he has been active in various early stage businesses as a founder, investor,
director, and officer. Mike was the first Chairman of Shad International in 1980. He
frequently writes and speaks on management and technology issues and is
active as a member of various charitable and educational boards. In 1988, he
moved to British Columbia
to serve as the first full-time Executive Director (1988-1991), and later as
Chairman (2001-2003), of the BC Advanced Systems Institute, an
organization dedicated to technology development and technology transfer.
From 1991-1996 he was Chairman & CEO of RDM
Corporation (TSX:RC), formerly Mindflight Corporation), a publicly-listed
company he founded in 1987. From 1996 to 2001, he was Chairman of the Vancouver Enterprise Forum and continues
to manage the Vancouver Technology
Angel Network. Mike is very active on the B.C. high tech scene,
serving on non-profit boards of Telus New Ventures BC and the Canadian Listed Companies Association
and public company boards of Plutonic Power Corporation (TSXV:PCC),
Visiphor Corporation (TSXV:VIS) and GraphOn Corporation (OTC:GOJO) as well as various
private company boards.
GOALS
·
To create innovative mechanisms for funding and
establishing new technology ventures, especially early-stage university
spin-offs and start-ups.
·
To help entrepreneurs create and build
successful technology companies through mentorship, directorship and by
advancing good corporate governance practices.
·
To promote and further the development of the
technology industry in Canada
and in British Columbia.
EDUCATION
BASc (Elect Eng-1972), MASc
(Systems Design-1973), University
of Waterloo.
Studied (enrolled as PhD student) in the Faculty of Business, Kansas University (1974). (Left Kansas to
be CEO of Volker-Craig Ltd in Ontario.)
EXPERTISE
Business: Over 30 years experience with technology ventures,
starting with Volker-Craig Ltd which was founded in 1973 and merged with a
public entity in 1981. Since then involved with many technology enterprises
as an investor, mentor or director. Expertise in financing, marketing,
technology licensing and intellectual property matters. Frequent writer and contributor to business
journals and publications.
Education: Taught courses in entrepreneurship, engineering
economics, design, and management at the University
of Waterloo, Kansas
University, University
of Toronto, Simon
Fraser University
and the Higher Colleges
of Technology (HCT) in Abu Dhabi. Presently
teaching Business to Engineering Students and Intellectual Property
Management to MBA students at Simon Fraser University and HCT in Abu Dhabi where he holds
the position of Entrepreneur-in-Residence with the Centre for Research and
Technology (CERT). Also presents courses on corporate governance and
capital formation on a regular basis to high technology managers. Prepared
“free” website on Business Basics for Engineers.
DIRECTORSHIPS
(Past and Present)
Public Companies:
Plutonic Power Corporation (TSXV:PCC), Vancouver, BC.
Co-founder of company. (1999 to present). Director & Audit Committee.
Visiphor Corporation (TSXV:VIS), Burnaby, BC.
(2003 to present). Director, Audit & Compensation Committees.
GraphOn Corporation (OTC:GOJO), Santa Cruz, CA,
(2001 to present). Director & Audit Committee, First Chairman and angel
investor in 1982.
Silicon Slopes Capital Corp (unlisted), Vancouver,
(1999-present). Director.
RDM Corporation (TSX:RC) formerly Mindflight
Corporation. Director (1987-1996).
Uniwat Capital Corp (acquired by Waterfront Capital), Director
(1987-1994).
Non-profit Boards:
New Ventures BC Business competition, Director and co-founder
(2000 to present).
Canadian Listed Companies Association, Director and co-founder
(1997 to present).
Vancouver Enterprise
Forum, Chairman & Director (1996-2004).
BC Advanced Systems Institute, Chairman and Trustee (1996-2003).
BC Biotech Alliance,
Director (1999-2000).
Shad Valley,
Chairman & Director (1980-1990), First Chairman (1980-86). Also launched
Shad at the University of B.C. in 1986 and at Acadia University
in 1988.
University of Waterloo Governor. Also Chairman of Alumni Fund
Campaign (1987-1993), UW’s first Alumni fundraiser.
Canadian Advanced Technology Association, Director and cofounder
(1975-1985).
Sir Stanford Fleming Foundation, Director, (1980).
Canadian Industrial Innovation Centre, Director (1984-86).
Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA, Director (1982-86).
CKWR Community FM Radio in Kitchener Waterloo (ca.1970), Director
& Co-founder while a student.
Advisory Boards:
B.C. Securities Commission, New Economy & Adoption of
Technologies Committee
(2002).
TSX Venture Exchange, Corporate Finance & Policy Committees
(1992-1999).
BCIT Technology Centre, Chairman, Advisory Board (1990-1996).
EXECUTIVE POSITIONS
1973 – 1981: Volker-Craig Ltd.,
President.
1981 – 1987: Volker
Communications Ltd, President.
1987 – 1996: RDM Corporation
(founded as Keener Technologies), President.
1989 – 1991: B.C. Advanced
Systems Institute, Executive Director.
1996 – present: Simon Fraser
University,
Director University-Industry Liaison.
2003 – present: WUTIF Capital (VCC) Corp, President.
TEACHING POSITIONS
2006 – 2007: Higher Colleges
of Technology, Abu Dhabi,
MBA Practicum on Management of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
1989 – 2006: Simon Fraser
University, Faculty
of Business and Faculty of Applied Sciences: Courses on Intellectual Property Management for MBA program,
Business of Engineering for Engineering Science and seminars on Corporate
Governance.
1986 – 1989: Shad
International, University of British Columbia & Acadia University.
Business Instructor (3 summer sessions).
1972 – 1988: University of Waterloo,
Faculty of Applied Sciences. Courses taught include Calculus, Engineering
Design, Management of Technology & Innovation.
1981 – 1983; University of Toronto,
Faculty of Engineering. Engineering Economics. (dates approx)
1974: University
of Kansas, Faculty of Business. Organizational
Behaviour.
Guest Lectures at McMaster University, University of Victoria,
University of Northern British Colombia, Fraser Valley
College, Okanagan College,
Chinese Academy of Science (Bejing).
Frequent invited speaker on topics relating to entrepreneurship and new
venture creation.
OTHER RECENT MATTERS
1999 – present: Established and manage the
Vancouver Angel Network (VANTEC)
for technology Entrepreneurs.
2006 – 2007: Abu Dhabi:
Appointment as “Entrepreneur-in-Residence” for the Centre of Excellence for applied Research
& Training.
September, 2006: Sri Lanka: Special Assignment (for the
Asian Development Bank and Simon
Fraser University)
entailed a study of industry needs in developing the education sector.
PUBLICATIONS
1998 – 2007: Columnist for BC
Technology’s T-Net.
1998 – 2004: Columnist for Silicon Valley
North.
1998 – 2000: Columnist for TIA
Monitor magazine.
Frequent Contributor to Business in
Vancouver weekly business paper.
Own Website papers and tutorials: “Business Basics for Engineers” (located at
www.mikevolker.com)
PERSONAL
Canadian Citizen (1952), born November 15, 1948 in Germany.
Married to Janis (Nurse & Educator). Four entrepreneurial children
(Vanessa, Andrea, Lara, Tyler).
Favorite past-times are teaching and recreational activities including
tennis, running (with the Rainrunners fundraising
team), boating, sailing, windsurfing, skiing, snowboarding, hiking,
motorcycling, fishing and camping. Favorite thing about Vancouver: dining out (especially at
Whistler's Mongolie
Grill). Favorite places: Howe Sound and the Caribbean.
QUOTATION
One's greatest asset is one's word.
CONTACT:
Michael C. Volker, Vancouver, B.C. Canada,
via:
Tel (604)644-1926 Fax (775)766-9242
Email: mike@volker.org Website: http://www.mikevolker.com.
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