ROBERT VAN BUSKIRK
President

Robert Van Buskirk is a Program Manager at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Dr. Van Buskirk received a B.A. in Mathematics and Physics from the University of California in 1984, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University in 1991. His Ph.D. is for studies on the fluid dynamics of the Great Red Spot of Jupiter.

In 1993 Dr. Van Buskirk joined the University of Asmara in Eritrea, East Africa as an Assistant Professor of Physics. During his four years in Eritrea he was one of the founders of the Eritrean national electronic mail system, and moved to the Eritrean Department of Energy in 1995 to help found the research programs in stove efficiency, wind energy resource assessment, and solar energy resource assessment. Ever since Dr. Van Buskirk has been assisting sustainable energy and water development and technology transfer projects in Africa as a volunteer, including wind energy development, carbon crediting for improved stoves and sustainable land use, efficient solar lighting for rural villages and national energy efficiency standards. Currently his sustainable energy and development projects in Africa are active in the countries of Eritrea, Tanzania, Ghana, and Senegal. You can read more about Dr. Van Buskirk's Africa work by using the google search link:

http://www.google.com/webhp#hl-en&q=%22Robert+Van+Buskirk%22+energy+Africa

TEWELDE STEPHANOS
Treasurer/Business Manager

Tewelde Stephanos started and managed tFanus Enterprises, one of the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) companies in Eritrea, from 1996 to 2002. The progressive business culture developed under his leadership, made tFanus one of the highly sought after companies college graduates and young proffessionals preferred to work for. Its customer-centric culture also made tFanus one of the most trusted companies in Eritrea, resulting in highly effective positive word-of-mouth marketing and profitable repeat business from a loyal customer base.

Prior to moving to Eritrea and since returning to the U.S. in 2002, he has worked in the high tech sector, with over 20 years experience in R&D and Operations. He is a graduate of Tuskegee Institute, Stanford University and currently holds Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI.

MESFIN ZAID
Secretary

Mesfin has been in the banking and finance profession for the last 33 years. Presently I am the Vice President and Manager for one of the four top banks in the nation in the area of Asset Base Lending monitoring over $8 billion in loans.

Mesfin also serves as Treasurer - Eritrean Development Foundation whose mission is to aliviate the poverty and human suffering of the Eritrean people in Eritrea as a result of a 30 year war before gaining independence and then an ongoing battle with the neighboring Ethiopia.

He serves as Executive Board Member/Treasurer - Eritrean Orthodox church of Oakland whose mission was to have a facility for a church service for the Eritreans residing in the Oakland and vicinity and also maintain the authentic cultural Orthodox church teaching for the young.

He also serves as Executive Board Member/President - Lions Club of Hercules, CA whose mission is to serve the community’s senior citizens, homeless, the blind and other similar activities. We also engaged the Leos, the young Lions Club members, in directing them into a career path in becoming productive and responsible citizens.

He is also Board Member/Public Relations - Eritrean Community Cultural Civic Center of Oakland whose mission is to create a center whereby Eritreans, Eritrean/Americans and friends of Eritrea can gather and participate in social and current events of the homeland, where the young participate in sports, arts, culture and education, and where the elderly gather to communicate and interact with the rest of the community members.