Speakers

UOG 2015 Speakers & Panelists

Dr. Yuval Steinitz – Opening Ceremony Keynote Speaker
Minister of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources, Israeli Government
Dr. Yuval Steinitz was appointed Minister of Finance in March 2009, serving until March 2013, when he was appointed Minister of Strategic and Intelligence Affairs responsible for International Relations. In May 2015 he was appointed Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy, and Water, and has the responsibility of developing Israel’s oil & gas industry.

Dr. Yuval Steinitz was born in Israel in 1958. He completed his IDF service in the Golani Brigade and served as a reservist in the Alexandroni Brigade. He holds a B.A. and M.A. (with honors) in Philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Tel Aviv University. He received the Alon Prize for Ph.D. Students in 1993. He is married and the father of three children. Steinitz was a Senior Lecturer in the Philosophy Department at Haifa University. He served as President of the Association for the Public's Right to Know (1999-2004). A Member of Knesset since 1999, Steinitz has served as member and chairman of the Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, and as member of the Constitution, Law and Justice, and the Science and Technology Committees. He chaired the Committee for the Examination of the Intelligence Services Following the War in Iraq as well as the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee for the Events that Took Place in Amona. Since 2003 he has co-chaired the Joint Congress-Knesset Security Committee, together with Senator John Kyl (Arizona). Yuval Steinitz was appointed Minister of Finance in March 2009, serving until March 2013, when he was appointed Minister of Strategic and Intelligence Affairs responsible for International Relations. In May 2015 he was appointed Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy, and Water, and has the responsibility of developing Israel’s oil & gas industry.

Barry Smitherman- Gala Dinner Keynote Speaker
Partner, Energy Regulation, Vinson & Elkins
Former Chairman, Texas Railroad Commission, The Chief Regulator for the Texas Oil & Gas Industry Barry is the only person to ever serve on both the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), and is a nationally recognized authority on a number of emerging energy trends. Barry brings unique experience and perspective when advising clients on issues relating to state and federal regulations, energy project development, legislative matters, and energy litigation.

Barry is the only person to ever serve on both the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), and is a nationally recognized authority on a number of emerging energy trends. With this background, Barry brings unique experience and perspective when advising clients on issues relating to state and federal regulations, energy project development, legislative matters, and energy litigation.

Barry’s experience at the PUCT and RRC, coupled with his service on a number of national and regional energy-focused boards and committees, gives him particular insight into emerging developments such as unconventional oil and gas development, electric transmission development, renewable energy generation, and energy storage. Barry was appointed to the RRC in 2011 to serve an unexpired term and, in 2012, was elected statewide for a two-year term. He was later chosen by his colleagues to serve as chairman of the RRC. During his chairmanship, he also served as chair of the Gas Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners from 2013 to 2014. Prior to his service with the RRC, Barry was a member of the PUCT for more than seven years and served as chairman of the agency for most of 2007 to 2011. In addition to a number of significant achievements, Barry is best known for leading the PUCT’s adoption and management of the 3,600-mile Competitive Renewable Energy Zone transmission line project, handling routing disputes and acting as the agency’s liaison with the Texas Legislature, service providers, and landowners. Prior to beginning public service, Barry spent 16 years as an investment banker. He held leadership positions with several firms, including Lazard, where he led the Houston office; The First Boston Corporation, where he was co-head of the “sunbelt infrastructure” group; J.P. Morgan Securities, where he was head of Texas public finance; and Banc One Capital Markets, where he was the National Head of tax-exempt origination. During this time, he managed billions in municipal bond offerings on behalf of state and local governments.

Tim Crome Technip Tim Crome
VP Subsea Mediterranean, Technip
Tim Crome has 35 years of experience in the offshore pipeline industry. He joined Technip in 1997 in Norway and is now the Vice President for Subsea in the Mediterranean Region. Until the end of 2014 he was Director for Sales and Business Development for the Technip operation in Norway. He was previously Engineering Manager for the Oslo office from 2001 until 2007, during which time he was also the representative for Technip on the DNV Pipeline Committee.

Tim Crome has 35 years of experience in the offshore pipeline industry. He joined Technip in 1997 in Norway and is now the Vice President for Subsea in the Mediterranean Region. Until the end of 2014 he was Director for Sales and Business Development for the Technip operation in Norway. He was previously Engineering Manager for the Oslo office from 2001 until 2007, during which time he was also the representative for Technip on the DNV Pipeline Committee. He is on the conference committees for the annual Offshore Pipeline Technology Conference, held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the Underwater Technology Conference held in Bergen, Norway. Tim graduated with an honours degree in Civil Engineering from Imperial Collage, London, in 1980 and immediately started working with pipeline design as one of the first graduate engineers employed by JPKenny. In 1984 he was seconded to Oslo to work for Norsk Hydro on the Oseberg project and has been in Norway ever since! Tim has lived in the Oslo region, working on subsea and pipeline related projects for Det Norske Veritas, Norsk Hydro and Offshore Design, prior to joining Technip.

Gideon Tadmor
Chairman, Delek Drilling
CEO, Avner Oil Exploration
With over 20 years of extensive experience initiating and managing Exploration and Production projects worldwide, Gideon is the Chairman of Delek Drilling & CEO of Avner, positions he has held for the past 15 years. Gideon is one of the founders and major drivers behind the success of the Eastern Mediterranean oil & gas industry. Gideon led the successful development of the Yam Tethys project, Israel’s first producing natural gas reservoir discovered in 2000.

With over 20 years of extensive experience initiating and managing Exploration and Production projects worldwide, Gideon is the Chairman of Delek Drilling & CEO of Avner, positions he has held for the past 15 years. Gideon is one of the founders and major drivers behind the success of the Eastern Mediterranean oil & gas industry. Gideon led the successful development of the Yam Tethys project, Israel’s first producing natural gas reservoir discovered in 2000. Gideon continued to lead the development of the oil & gas sector in Israel with the extremely successful discovery & development of the Tamar natural gas field. Tamar has been producing natural gas since 2013 and will provide Israel with the majority of its natural gas needs over the next 20 years. In addition, the Companies under Gideon’s leadership are in the process of developing one of the world’s largest natural gas discoveries; Leviathan. Leviathan with 22 TCF of natural gas will transform the East Med region into a significant export hub over the next few years. Gideon has an L.LB, is a member of the Israel Bar Association and holds the rank of Major in the Israel Defense Force.

Binyamin A. Zomer
Israel Country Manager, Noble Energy
Binyamin Zomer was appointed to Noble Energy Country Manager in Israel on September 2014. Prior to that, he served as Noble Energy’s Director of Corporate Affairs in Israel since January 2010. In that capacity, Bini was responsible for Noble’s government relations, media relations and corporate social responsibility projects.

Binyamin Zomer was appointed to Noble Energy Country Manager in Israel in September 2014. Prior to that, he served as Noble Energy's Director of Corporate Affairs in Israel since January 2010. In that capacity, Bini was responsible for Noble's government relations, media relations and corporate social responsibility projects. His responsibilities also include a number of commercial endeavors. In 2014, Bini added the role of Joint Venture Manager to his responsibilities. As JV Manager, Bini is responsible managing the business relationship between the various partnerships that Noble operates off-shore Israel. Prior to joining Noble, Bini served as Deputy Director for Policy and Government Affairs at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) where he focused on energy and homeland security issues. Before joining AIPAC, Bini was Director of Federal Government Relations at Accenture LLP and before that served as Counsel to Don Nickles, US Senator from Oklahoma, after practicing law in Chicago. Bini has a Law degree from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and a B.A. in Government from the University of Texas. Bini and his wife, Heather, made Aliyah in 2010 and reside in Modi’in with their four daughters.

John M. Katok
Senior Vice President – Strategy, Technical Sales and Marketing, Aker Solutions – North America Region
John joined Aker Solutions in January 2013 as Senior Vice President of Strategy, Technical Sales and Marketing for the North America region. Prior to Aker Solutions, John held two position at Willbros as SVP International Operations, as well as SVP Upstream Strategy, Sales and Marketing.

John joined Aker Solutions in January, 2013, as Senior Vice President of Strategy, Technical Sales and Marketing for the North America Region. Prior to Aker Solutions, John held two positions at the same time with Willbros, those being SVP International Operations , as well as SVP Upstream Strategy, Sales and Marketing, the later added to his role as Willbros’ strategy shifted to North America and operations expanded into all the US shale oil and gas areas including the Eagle Ford, Marcellus and Bakken. Prior to Willbros John was with Global Industries for two years as the Business Unit Vice President of Middle East and North Africa/Mediterranean Region and later as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer worldwide included management of the company’s entrance into the deepwater market and construction oversight of two state-of-the art deepwater derrick/pipe lay vessels and worldwide Business Development. He was a member of the Executive Team. John’s experience also included six years as Vice President for Technip from 2002 to 2008 where he was responsible for acquiring and sponsoring deep water and downstream projects, as well as enhancing the company’s strategic client relationships worldwide. John’s 37 years of oil and gas experience began in 1978 with Brown & Root Marine, later known as Halliburton Brown & Root and then KBR, serving over 25 years on a variety of large offshore projects, including engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, installation and hook-up & commissioning operations. He was promoted to executive level positions in corporate business development the last four years as Commercial Vice President covering strategic client account management of all key clients contracting across Halliburton Energy Services, Landmark Graphics and KBR upstream business units. John was born and raised near Ocean City, New Jersey, graduated with a B.Sc in Civil Engineering from WVU-Institute of Technology in 1978, is married with two sons and two grand-daughters, and enjoys every type of hunting and fishing, shooting sporting clays and playing golf.

Tony Martin MSc CEng MIMMM
Director, Reservoir Development Services’ for Integrated Stimulation Expertise- EARC Region, Baker Hughes
After graduating Imperial College London in 1990, Tony Martin spent the first 4 years of his career with Halliburton, but has spent the last 21 years working for Baker Hughes in Aberdeen, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Indonesia, the USA, Italy and London. Tony’s main interest and experience has always been in hydraulic fracturing. During his career, Tony has been involved in fracturing projects in more than 50 countries all over the world.

Tony Martin graduated from Imperial College, London, in 1990 with an Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering. After leaving University, he spent the first 4 years of his career with Halliburton, but has spent the last 21 years working for Baker Hughes in Aberdeen, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Indonesia, the USA, Italy and London. During this period he has been extensively involved in cementing, coiled tubing, sand control, acidizing and water control operations, but his main interest and experience has always been in hydraulic fracturing. During his career, Tony has been involved in fracturing projects in more than 50 countries all over the world. Tony is currently Baker Hughes’ Reservoir Development Services’ Director for Integrated Stimulation Expertise, for the Europe-Africa-Russia-Caspian Region. He is also a Baker Hughes Subject Matter Expert in Hydraulic Fracturing and Stimulation. In these roles, he travels extensively promoting fracturing and stimulation, and acting as a technical focal point for the company. He is the author or co-author of numerous technical papers and has served on the technical committees for several Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) events. He is the author of Baker Hughes’ Hydraulic Fracturing Manual and co-editor of Modern Fracturing: Enhancing Natural Gas Production. Tony is a former SPE Distinguished Lecturer and is currently on the SPE Distinguished Lecturer Committee. In 2009 Tony received the SPE South, Central and East Europe Regional Technical Award for Production Operations. In 2015, Tony was elected a Distinguished Member of the SPE. Tony has been a UK Chartered Engineer since 1997 and is a member of the UK’s Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

His Excellency Francesco Maria Talò
Ambassador of Italy to the State of Israel
Since 2012 His Excellency Francesco Maria Talò has been the Ambassador of Italy to Israel. Previously he has working in Italian Embassies all over the world, including Tokyo and Germany. His Excellency will be making a special presentation on Day 3 of UOG 2015, following Italian company ENI’s recent discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

20 August 2012 Ambassador of Italy to the State of Israel

Born in La Spezia, August 16, 1958
Degree in Law Summa Cum Laude (University of Rome, July 19, 1982)
Enters Diplomatic Service on March 1^st, 1984

2011 – 2012 Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Afghanistan and Pakistan 2007 – 2011 Consul General in New York 2006 – 2007 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Directorate for American Countries, Director for South America 2005 – 2006 Prime Minister's Office, Deputy Diplomatic Advisor 2002 – 2005 Prime Minister's Office, First Counsellor (Diplomatic Advisor’s Staff) 2000 – 2002 Permanent Representation to the United Nations in New York, First Counselor 1998 – 2000 Permanent Representation to the United Nations in New York, Counselor 1997 – 1998 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of Cabinet 1996 – 1997 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Secretariat 1995 – 1996 Task Force for the organization of the Italian Presidency of the EU 1995 Embassy of Italy in Bonn, Counsellor for Economic Affairs 1991 – 1994 Embassy of Italy in Bonn, First Secretary for Economic Affairs 1988 – 1991 Embassy of Italy in Tokyo, First Secretary 1987 – 1988 Embassy of Italy in Tokyo, Second Secretary 1985 – 1987 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Press and Information Service Lieutenant in reserve of the Carabinieri Corps Ambassador Talo’ is married and has three children

Terence Klingman
Director, Chief Investment Office, UBS Wealth Management
Terence Klingman is an equity analyst at the UBS Chief Investment Office. He joined the Israel CIO team in March 2015, focusing primarily on South African and Israeli listed equities as well as supporting broader EEMEA equity coverage. During the preceding 8 years, Terence served as head of sell-side research for Israel’s largest investment houses-Psagot, Meitav and Excellence.

Terence Klingman is an equity analyst at the UBS Chief Investment Office. He joined the Israel CIO team in March 2015, focusing primarily on South African and Israeli listed equities as well as supporting broader EEMEA equity coverage. During the preceding 8 years, Terence served as head of sell-side research for Israel's largest investment houses-Psagot, Meitav and Excellence. Terence has extensive experience in the banking and financial services industry having served as CFO of Investec Bank Israel and Head of Operations at HSBC Israel. Terence holds a B.Com (Hons) degree specializing in Accounting from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Expertise: Equities South Africa, Israel Languages: English, Hebrew

H.E. Thessalia Salina Shambos
Ambassador of Cyprus to Israel
Ms. Thessalia Salina Shambos, presented credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cyprus to HE the President of the State of Israel Reuven Riblin, on August 6, 2015. Ms Shambos joined the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Cyprus in September 1998, serving for four years at the Multilateral Department of the Political Division, with competence in UN issues such as Human Rights, Women’s issues and addressing global terrorism.

Ms. Thessalia Salina Shambos, presented credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cyprus to HE the President of the State of Israel Reuven Riblin, on August 6, 2015. Ms Shambos joined the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Cyprus in September 1998, serving for four years at the Multilateral Department of the Political Division, with competence in UN issues such as Human Rights, Women’s issues and addressing global terrorism. From 2002 to 2006 Ms. Shambos was posted at the Embassy of Cyprus in Greece, where, from 2003 onwards she served as Deputy Head of Mission, covering also Romania and Albania. In 2006 she was posted as Deputy Head of Mission/Consul General at the Embassy of Cyprus in Rome, which included parallel accreditations to Malta, the Swiss Confederation and San Marino. In September 2008 Ms. Shambos returned to Cyprus and was placed at the Department of Bilateral relations with EU partners and neighbouring countries, as Deputy Head, with responsibilities for Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation and Central Asia desks. In September 2009, she was appointed as Head of the aforementioned department, which concurrently covers the EU perspective of the Western Balkans, and EU relations with Eastern Partnership countries, the Russian Federation, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, the position which she held till July 2015. Ms. Shambos has represented Cyprus in a number of expert committees and conferences at regional, EU and UN levels and was part of the Nicosia core team for the 2012 EU Council Presidency of Cyprus. She has also attended numerous courses on diplomacy and International relations. Ms. Shambos holds the position of Minister Counsellor, and has been awarded the rank of Officer in the Order of Merit of the Hellenic Republic. Ms. Shambos studied Political Science at Pace University in New York, USA, graduating summa cum laude, in 1995, and was granted the Political Science Award. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Studies - Political Science from Stockholm University, Sweden. She also has a background in Biomedical sciences from Aberdeen University, UK. She is fluent in both Greek and English, and has knowledge of French and Italian. She is married to Dr. Stavros Bashiardes (Ph.D. Genetics). She has two sons, Phaedon (age 4) and Alexandros (age 2). She was born in Athens on January 14, 1973.

Tobias Rosenbaum
Regional Manager, Continental Europe and North Africa, DNV GL
Tobias Rosenbaum holds a Master´s degree in Mechanical Engineering and spent 20 years in engineering and project management in large capital investment projects in the energy and offshore sector. Since July 2014, he has been heading the Oil & Gas business for DNV GL in Continental Europe & North Africa.

Tobias Rosenbaum holds a Master´s degree in Mechanical Engineering and spent 20 years in engineering and project management in large capital investment projects in the energy and offshore sector. Since July 2014, he has been heading the Oil & Gas business for DNV GL in Continental Europe & North Africa. DNV GL is the leading technical advisor and independent third party authority to the global maritime, oil & gas and energy industries, providing technical assurance and consultancy to enable safe, reliable and enhanced performance in projects and operations.

Isaac Yanovich
Former President, Ecopetrol
Mr. Yanovich is an independent consultant and member of several Board of Directors. He served as President of ECOPETROL, the biggest oil company in Colombia and the second biggest in South America, from 2002-2006. Currently he serves as Member of the Board of Directors of CTEEP Companhia de Transmissao de Energia Eletrica Paulista, Carvajal Internacional S.A., AviancaTaca Holding SA, Tecnoquimicas and Inversiones Mundial.

Mr. Yanovich is an independent consultant and member of several Board of Directors. He served as President of ECOPETROL, the biggest oil company in Colombia and the second biggest in South America, from 2002-2006. Mr. Yanovich is a Founding Partner of Banca de Inversión Betainvest S.A., served as President of INVESA S.A. from 1987 to 1997, President of Lloreda Grasas S.A. from 1981 to 1996 and Executive Vice-president of Tecnoquimicas S.A from 1966 to 1981. Currently he serves as Member of the Board of Directors of CTEEP Companhia de Transmissao de Energia Eletrica Paulista, Carvajal Internacional S.A., AviancaTaca Holding SA, Tecnoquimicas and Inversiones Mundial.

In the past he has been member of the boards of Interbanco, Internaciones SA, and Banco Popular, Banca de Inversión Betainvest S.A., Universidad ICESI, Banco Agrario, Women’s World Banking – Colombia, , ISA, Isagen, Industria de Licores del Valle, Coldesivos and Corporación Financiera del Valle amongst others. He graduated in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de Los Andes and the University of Pittsburgh and obtained a Master of Science degree in Industrial Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Michael Gardosh
Head of Geology and Geophysics Department, Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources
Michael started his career in Oil and Gas in the Israel National Oil Company (INOC); where he was trained and then involved in various exploration and drilling projects in the Dead Sea Basin and other parts of Israel, since 1989. He later moved to the Geophysical Institute of Israel (GII) and worked as a research scientist, focusing on seismic interpretation and basin studies.

Dr. Michael Gardosh is the Head of Geology and Geophysics Department in the Natural Resources Administration of the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources. He holds BA and MA degrees in Geology from Hebrew University and PHD degree in Geophysics from Tel Aviv University. Michael started his career in Oil and Gas in the Israel National Oil Company (INOC); where he was trained and then involved in various exploration and drilling projects in the Dead Sea Basin and other parts of Israel, since 1989. He later moved to the Geophysical Institute of Israel (GII) and worked as a research scientist, focusing on seismic interpretation and basin studies. During his career in the GII he studied extensively the Eastern Mediterranean region and his work on the geology of the Levantin Basin is considered a milestone in the development of hydrocarbon resources offshore Israel.

Dr. Gardosh joined the Ministry of Energy in 2010. He created the G&G Department and developed its capacity to review and regulate exploration activity and to evaluate hydrocarbon resources. At present Dr. Gardosh is leading long-term projects to promote exploration activity offshore and onshore and to construct National Data Repository for Oil and Gas in Israel. Michael is a member of the Israeli Geological Society and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He published many articles and professional reports, and continues working with students and teaching courses in Petroleum Geology and Seismic Interpretation in Tel Aviv University.

Yiftach Ron-Tal
Chairman, Board of Directors, Israel Electric Corporation Ltd
Yiftach Ron-Tal is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors at Israel Electric Corporation. Before Mr Ron-Tal’s position at IEC, he was Chairman of the Board at Israel Ports Development and Assets Company (IPC) between 2007 and 2010 and Commander in the IDF Ground Forces (2001-2005). Israel Electric Corporation is the main generator, supplier and distributor of electrical power in Israel. It employs 12,754 workers and provides service to 2.63 million customers.

Yiftach Ron-Tal is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors at Israel Electric Corporation. Israel Electric Corporation is the main generator, supplier, transmitter and distributer of electrical power in Israel. IEC owns and operates 17 power stations with 63 generating units: 18 steam-driven and 30 gas turbines, and the company’s installed capacity stood at 13,617 MW. The corporation employs 12,754 workers and provides service to 2.63million customers. Before Mr Ron-Tal’s position at IEC, he was Chairman of the Board at Israel Ports Development and Assets Company (IPC) between 2007 and 2010 and Commander in the IDF Ground Forces (2001-2005). Mr Ron-Tal is member of the Israel Bar Association since 1994 (membership is restricted according to Section 52b of the Chamber of Advocates Law - 1961 due to non-occupation in the profession, between 1997-2002 and as of 2011). Military Rank: Major General (Res.). He was born in 1956 and graduated with an Executive M.B.A. from Bar-Ilan University in 2006, and obtained an LLB from The Faculty of Law at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991.

Dr. Harold J. Vinegar
Chief Scientist, Genie Oil & Gas, IEI, Afek Israel Oil & Gas
Former Chief Scientist, Royal Dutch Sherll
Dr. Vinegar was previously Chief Scientist, Physics of Royal Dutch Shell. He is presently the Chief Scientist of Israel Energy Initiatives (IEI), Afek Israel Oil & Gas and Genie Oil & Gas. He holds MA and PHD degrees in physics from Harvard University and a BA in physics from Columbia.

Dr. Vinegar was previously Chief Scientist, Physics of Royal Dutch Shell. He is presently the Chief Scientist of Israel Energy Initiatives (IEI), Afek Israel Oil & Gas and Genie Oil & Gas. He holds MA and PHD degrees in physics from Harvard University and a BA in physics from Columbia. Harold joined Shell's Bellaire Research Centre in Houston, Texas in 1976. During his career at Shell, he had over 50 publications and 290 patents in the fields of shaly sand evaluation, X-ray CT, NMR well logging, microseismic imaging and wireless power and communications for intelligent oil wells.

He was co-inventor of the in situ thermal desorption process for soil remediation and was instrumental in the formation of TerraTherm Environmental Services, an affiliate of Shell Oil Co. created to commercialise the in situ thermal desorption process. Dr. Vinegar has had a career interest spanning over 35 years in applying novel recovery processes to unconventional resources. He is the co-inventor of the in situ conversion and upgrading processes (ICP and IUP) which have been piloted successfully in Colorado oil shale and Alberta oil sands. Harold served as President and VP Technology of the Society of Core Analysts (SCA). He received the Society of Petrophysicists (SPWLA) Distinguished Technical Achievement Award in 1992 and the Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement in 2010.

He was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) in 1999, cited " for contributions to the science and technology of oil exploration and environmental remediation, particularly thermal methods for extracting hydrocarbons from the ground and for applications of NMR methods to well logging." He was inducted into the US national Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2003 and served on the US National Research Council (NRC) Committee on Earth Resources.

Since retiring from Shell in October, 2008, Harold and his family fulfilled a lifelong dream and emigrated to Israel. He is Professor of Petroleum Geosciences at Ben Gurion University of the Negev where his research centres on making Israeli energy independent.

David Ronn
Partner, McGuireWoods
David Ronn, based in Houston, has more than 25 years’ experience in a wide range of corporate and securities matters, with concentrations in the energy (upstream, midstream, downstream and trading) and technology industries that span from the representation of U.S. public entities to start-ups to cross-border transactions. David serves as co-head for the firm’s Oil and Gas Industry Team.

David Ronn, based in Houston, has more than 25 years’ experience in a wide range of corporate and securities matters, with concentrations in the energy (upstream, midstream, downstream and trading) and technology industries that span from the representation of U.S. public entities to start-ups to cross-border transactions. David serves as co-head for the firm's Oil and Gas Industry Team.

Morris Dorfman
Deputy Head of the National Economic Council, Israel Prime Minister’s Office
Morris Dorfman has been working at the Israel Prime Minister’s Office since January 2010. He is currently Deputy Head of the National Economic Council, commencing this role at the Office in February 2o13. He started working on the National Economic Council in August 2010 as a Senior Economist.

Morris Dorfman has been working at the Israel Prime Minister's Office since January 2010. He is currently the Deputy Head of the National Economic Council, commencing this role at the Office in February 2013. He started working on the National Economic Council in August 2010 as a Senior Economist. Morris meets with many international investors on a weekly basis, particularly from the U.S, Europe and China, who are looking to invest in Israel. Morris started his career as an Economist at the Bank of Israel 2006 to 2008, before working for TASC Strategic Consulting until 2010. Between 2010 and 2013, Morris volunteered as a Project Manager at NOVA. Morris has a MA in Financial Economics from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, attending there 2003-2008.

Mehmet Ogutcu
Chairman, Global Resources Partnership
Board Member, Genel Energy plc.
Former Global Director, BG Group
Mehmet serves as chairman of Global Resources Partnership, an independent non-executive director on the boards of Genel Energy plc and Yasar Group of Companies, and a special envoy for The Energy Charter in Brussels for MENA and Eurasia regions. He also leads the recently created Bosphorus Energy Club, an exclusive gathering of the senior executives and leaders in finance, energy and politics across Turkey, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa.

Mehmet has more than 30 years of successful track-record in development, investment, government, diplomacy, international organisations, and energy business.

Currently based in London, Mehmet serves as chairman of Global Resources Partnership, an independent non-executive director on the boards of Genel Energy plc and Yasar Group of Companies, and a special envoy for The Energy Charter in Brussels for MENA and Eurasia regions. He also leads the recently created Bosphorus Energy Club, an exclusive gathering of the senior executives and leaders in finance, energy and politics across Turkey, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa.

He provides strategic advice to several major natural resources and finance corporations on business growth, investment deals, fund-raising, strategic stakeholder alignment, and risk mitigation.

In his early career, Mehmet worked as deputy inspector on the board of Is Bankasi, Turkey’s largest private bank, and undertook projects as NATO Research Fellow and EU’s Jean Monnet Fellow. He was a prominent diplomat, having worked on critical “economic diplomacy” dossiers in Ankara, Beijing, Brussels and Paris, and later as an advisor to the late Turkish Prime Minister, Turgut Ozal.

After leaving the foreign services in 1994, Mehmet joined as a senior staffer at the International Energy Agency heading Eurasia, Asia-Pacific and Latin America programme and the OECD in Paris as principal administrator managing international investment outreach over 11 years.

Mehmet was for six years (2005-2011) the global director for BG Group Plc. in the UK, managing high-level government engagements and new business development around the world. He also worked as the chairman of the International Advisory Board of Invensys plc until 2014.

He was most recently nominated by the Turkish government for the secretary-general position of the world’s largest energy organisation, International Energy Forum, based in Riyadh, and became one of the top two contenders. Mehmet is a graduate of Turkey’s “Mulkiye”, a symbol of the Republican meritocracy, similar to the French École nationale d’administration, London School of Economics (MSc) and College d’Europe (MA), Bruges.

He is an occasional lecturer at London School of Economics’ Enterprise Executive Programme, Harvard University, Dundee University, University of Reading and Peking University’s School of Government since 2005.

As part of The London Speakers Bureau he often speaks at key international and regional conferences around the world and writes in newspapers on future trends, development, investment/finance, energy/food/water nexus and geopolitical matters.

Mehmet is fluent in Turkish, English, French and Chinese (conversational).

Daniel Bustos
Chief Development Officer, Excelerate Energy
Daniel Bustos is the Chief Development Officer for Excelerate Energy, with responsibility for the commercial development of LNG importation projects. He formerly served as the Senior Vice President of Project Origination. Prior to Excelerate, Daniel worked for Repsol YPF in both E&P and downstream business in Latin America, including leading Repsol’s oil and gas commercial activities in Bolivia, developing the propane business in Latin America, as well as the natural gas division in Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.

Daniel Bustos is the Chief Development Officer for Excelerate Energy, with responsibility for the commercial development of LNG importation projects. He formerly served as the Senior Vice President of Project Origination for Excelerate Energy. Prior to joining Excelerate, Daniel worked for Repsol YPF in various positions for both E&P and downstream business in Latin America, including leading Repsol´s oil and gas commercial activities in Bolivia, development of the propane business in Latin America, and managing strategic planning and development for the natural gas division in Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. In 2007 Daniel was part of the Repsol´s team that developed Bahía Blanca GasPort®, the world´s first floating regasification terminal. Daniel earned a Nuclear Engineering Degree from Instituto Balseiro (Argentina) in 1997 and holds both a Nuclear Engineering Master Degree and an MBA in Corporate Finance.

Aker Solutions square] Marco Gabelloni
Business Development Manager, Aker Solutions
Marco is currently a Business Development Manager at Aker Solutions in Norway. He started at Aker Solutions in 2012 where he took up his role of Senior Sales Engineer before being promoted in 2014. Aker Solutions, is a global provider of products, systems and services to the oil and gas industry. The company currently employs over 18,000 people in about 30 countries. Prior to Aker Solutions, Marco was an Application Engineer for Gas Turbines at GE Oil & Gas 2007-2008, before becoming Product Leader at GE Oil & Gas 2008 to 2012.

Marco is currently a Business Development Manager at Aker Solutions in Norway since 2014. He started at Aker Solutions in 2012 where he took up his role of Senior Sales Engineer before being promoted in 2014. Aker Solutions, is a global provider of products, systems and services to the oil and gas industry. Aker's engineering, design and technologies bring discoveries into production and maximize recovery from each petroleum field including Arctic and Deepwater environments. The company currently employs over 18,000 people in about 30 countries. Prior to Aker Solutions, Marco was an Application Engineer for Gas Turbines at GE Oil & Gas 2007-2008, before becoming Product Leader at GE Oil & Gas 2008 to 2012. Marco has a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Pisa in Italy.

Robert Rakison
Partner, McGuireWoods
Robert Rakison, based in London, is a corporate lawyer, primarily specialising in M&A transactions. Within the firm he is: a former member of its Board of Partners; former co-chair of the Private Equity Industry team; co-chair of the Israel Interest Group; member of the Oil and Gas Industry Team; and a member of the Middle East and North Africa Interest Group.

Robert Rakison, based in London, is a corporate lawyer, primarily specialising in M&A transactions. Within the firm he is: a former member of its Board of Partners; former co-chair of the Private Equity Industry team; co-chair of the Israel Interest Group; member of the Oil and Gas Industry Team; and a member of the Middle East and North Africa Interest Group. In a career spanning 40 years, Robert has been involved in transactions involving over 100 different countries, many of them in the oil and gas and energy sectors. The last major oil and gas transaction handled by Robert was the sale of the circa 3.5% interest in the Ghanaian Jubilee oil field by EO Group to Tullow Oil for $305M. He is currently involved in a number of prospective IPOs for oil and gas companies.

Joel Braunold
Executive Director, Alliance for Middle East Peace
Joel Braunold serves as the Executive Director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace, a coalition of over 90 different organizations working in every sector of society building relationships between Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians. Joel has been working at the intersection of civil society and geopolitics for the past six years. A columnist for Ha’aretz.com, his work has been published in international publications including the New York Daily News, the Guardian, the Huffington Post, the Hill and the Daily Beast.

Joel Braunold serves as the Executive Director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace, a coalition of over 90 different organizations working in every sector of society building relationships between Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians. Joel has been working at the intersection of civil society and geopolitics for the past six years. A columnist for Ha’aretz.com, his work has been published in numerous national and international publications including the New York Daily News, the Guardian, the Huffington Post, the Hill and the Daily Beast. He has delivered guest lectures at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Loyola Marymount University, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and at Bar Ilan University. He works regularly with the US State Department, USAID, the National Security Council and Congress on the needs of the peace building community. Outside the US, Joel has worked with national governments across Europe, multilateral institutions and parts of the Arab world. Joel is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and holds a BA(Hons) in philosophy from Bristol University. He is the recipient of the Avi Schaefer Peace Innovation Prize, is a senior fellow for the Alliance for Youth Movements and holds Honorary Life Membership to the National Union of Students (UK) and the Union of Jewish Students (UK).

Shlomo Alfia
Senior Partner, Oil & Gas Leader, EY Israel
Shlomo Alfia is a Senior Partner at EY Israel. He has 22 years of experience in providing audit, taxation and consulting services to Oil & Gas companies operating in Israel and abroad and assists them in creating their business models in Israel.

Shlomo Alfia is a Senior Partner at EY Israel. He has 22 years of experience in providing audit, taxation and consulting services to Oil & Gas companies operating in Israel and abroad and assists them in creating their business models in Israel.

He has also accumulated vast experience in the energy field and has provided services to leading companies including: Avner Oil & Gas Exploration, Delek Drilling, Noble Energy, Woodside, Delek Energy Systems, Yam-Tatis Project, Tamar Project, Leviathan Project, ATP, Isramco Negev 2 LP, Modiin Energy LP, AGR, Lapidot, Israel Opportunity and others.

Shlomo is a graduate in Accounting & Economics and holds a BA Cum Laude in Social Sciences from The Open University. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1991.

Gil Kroyzer
Chief Executive Officer, ICS²
Gil Kroyzer founded ICS² [http://ics2.com/] in 2013 to revolutionize the Cyber Security world for industrial facilities, leveraging his expertise in Industrial Control Systems and security. Under his leadership, the ICS² team of mathematicians, computer scientists, power plant system designers, and process control experts has developed a suite of prototypes and pilot deployments.

Gil Kroyzer founded ICS² [http://ics2.com/] in 2013 to revolutionize the Cyber Security world for industrial facilities, leveraging his expertise in Industrial Control Systems and security. Under his leadership, the ICS² team of mathematicians, computer scientists, power plant system designers, and process control experts has developed a suite of prototypes and pilot deployments. As Senior Vice President at BrightSource Energy [http://www.brightsourceenergy.com/], Gil led 100 software engineers and scientists who developed the advanced industrial control system for the 400-megawatt Ivanpah power station [http://www.ivanpahsolar.com/]. Previously, Gil worked at Mobileye, a company specializing in image sensing and processing technology for automotive applications. Gil earned his B.Sc at Hebrew University in Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics.

uri-aldubi Uri Aldubi
Chairman, Association of Oil & Gas Exploration Industries in Israel
Founder and Partner of Halman-Aldubi Energy and a Director at Israel Opportunity Oil & Gas Exploration Ltd. Uri is the Chairman of the Halman-Aldubi Investment Group – one of the top ten privately owned financial institutions in Israel. The Group manages and operates over $4.5 Billion AUM with approximately 350,000 accounts. With years of investments experience in the oil and gas industry, Uri is the Chairman of the Association of Oil and Gas Exploration Industries in Israel.

Founder and Partner of Halman-Aldubi Energy and a Director at Israel Opportunity Oil & Gas Exploration Ltd. Uri is the Chairman of the Halman-Aldubi Investment Group - one of the top ten privately owned financial institutions in Israel.

The Company was established in December 1995 and specializes in provision of mid and long term saving products and business services through provident funds, pension funds, investment management for mutual funds and portfolio management products. The Group manages and operates over $4.5 Billion AUM with approximately 350,000 accounts. Mr. Aldubi holds an MBA in Finance, and a BA in Management and Economics from Tel Aviv University.

With years of investments experience in the oil and gas industry, Uri is the Chairman of the Association of Oil and Gas Exploration Industries in Israel. Established in 2010, the Association is comprised of the leading companies active in the Israeli oil and gas industry, specializing in the exploration and production of oil and gas.

Gina Cohen (2) Gina Cohen
Consultant, Natural Gas Industry
Gina started her gas career when she helped establish the local branches of BG Group in Israel and Palestine in 1998, and became a private consultant in the natural gas sector in 2005. She has been involved either on behalf of governmental institutions or major oil and gas companies in all the aspects of Israel and Palestine’s natural gas market.

Gina started her gas career when she helped establish the local branches of BG Group in Israel and Palestine in 1998, and became a private consultant in the natural gas sector in 2005. Gina has been involved either on behalf of governmental institutions or major oil and gas companies in all the aspects of Israel and Palestine’s natural gas market. Her work has spanned activities from the Gas Law, the Sheshinski Law, the debates of the Zemach Committee on natural gas exports from Israel, the regulatory process for the construction and siting of the natural gas facilities in Israel, the writing of the Natural Gas Guide Book for the Ministry of Energy, etc. In addition, during her years of work, Gina was involved in all aspects of the gas chain in Israel and Palestine, with her activities spanning from exploration & development, to transmission & distribution, to gas sales negotiations both on behalf of buyers and sellers, to feasibilities studies on the construction of natural gas generated independent power plants (IPPs) in the region and FLNG projects in the USA. Gina lectures on Natural Gas Law and Economy at the Technion University in Israel and at the Cyprus University in Cyprus and is the author of the Hebrew-English energy lexicon (www.hebrewenergy.com) used by all professionals in the Israeli petroleum sector.

Michal Franco Kedmi
Consultant, Oil & Gas Industry
Michal Franco Kedmi is an Oil & Gas consultant providing expertise and business services in the energy sector (Israel based). Michal specializes in regulatory consulting, strategic advisory, business development and project managing for international companies, government authorities and organizations operating mainly in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Michal Franco Kedmi is an Oil and Gas consultant providing expertise and business services in the energy sector (Israel based). Michal specializes in regulatory consulting, strategic advisory, business development and project managing for international companies, government authorities and organizations, operating mainly in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Up until recently Michal served as the Senior Adviser to the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, and served as a board member in various infrastructure companies. She is a specialist both international and Israeli infrastructure markets, public and private sectors alike.

Stephanie Gaswirth
Senior Research Geologist, US Geological Survey
Stephanie has been a research geologist focused on national and global assessment of petroleum resources since joining the USGS in 2006. She is currently the lead on the assessment of continuous resources in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico, U.S.A. Prior to joining the USGS, she worked for Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company.

Stephanie has been a research geologist focused on national and global assessment of petroleum resources since joining the USGS in 2006. She has worked on resource assessments of the Williston and Anadarko basins, and was the task leader for the assessment of the continuous oil resources of the Bakken and Three Forks Formation in 2013. She is currently the lead on the assessment of continuous resources in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico, U.S.A.

Prior to joining the USGS, she worked for Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company. Stephanie received a B.A. degree from Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and M.S. degree from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. Her research interests focus on carbonate diagenesis its impact on reservoir quality.

Gil Shaki
Senior Director, Energy & Cleantech, Office of the Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy
In recent years, Gil has been responsible at the Office of the Chief Scientist for policy design and implementation aimed at the continuous development of a knowledge-based industry in the Energy and Cleantech sectors, including innovative technologies for oil & gas sector, renewable energies, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, water technologies, reducing GHG emissions, green growth strategy and more.

In recent years, Gil has been responsible at the Office of the Chief Scientist for policy design and implementation aimed at the continuous development of a knowledge-based industry in the Energy and Cleantech sectors, including innovative technologies for oil & gas sector, renewable energies, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, water technologies, reducing GHG emissions, green growth strategy and more. Before that represented Israel at OECD's Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP), was involved in designing and launching various new incentive programs, including encouragement of institutional investments in the high-tech sector, incentives for investments in the field of alternative fuels, programs to foster innovation and R&D in traditional industries. Involved as well at cross sector OCS activity to encourage and support technological and commercial cooperation activity with international partners. Before that have been head of the economic and commercial departments at Israel's embassies in New Delhi, Madrid and Lisbon, assisting Israeli companies and service providers to penetrate local markets and forming collaborations with local partners as well as attracting investments to the Israel. Previous to that worked as an economist in the Investment Center of Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor and as an economist in the Logistic and Technology department of the IDF (Israeli Defense Force). Holding Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) and B.A. in Economics and the Studies of the Middle East, both from Bar Ilan University, Israel. Speaking fluently Hebrew, English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, with some basic communication skills in other languages.

Mark Guest
Managing Director and Strategic Development Director, Rigzone
Mark Guest is the Managing Director and Strategic Development Director of Rigzone magazine. Rigzone.com is “Your Gateway to the Oil and Gas Industry” providing you with industry news and information, the Online Oil & Gas Directory, careers, a classifieds marketplace, and more. Rigzone is the most-used industry website worldwide, garnering more than 80% of the upstream industry’s online traffic, compared with the top five oil and gas websites.

Mark Guest is currently the Managing Director and Strategic Development Director of Rigzone magazine. Rigzone.com is “Your Gateway to the Oil and Gas Industry” providing you with industry news and information, the Online Oil & Gas Directory, careers, a classifieds marketplace, and more. Rigzone’s vibrant, quickly growing audience and member base spans the upstream oil and gas industry from major corporate executives to influential independents. Rigzone is the most-used industry website worldwide, garnering more than 80% of the upstream industry’s online traffic, in comparison with the top five oil and gas websites. Rigzone.com has 1,267,000 unique visitors per month, offering the best advertising platform in the oil and gas industry.

Vice Admiral (Ret.) David Ben-Bashat
Chairman of the Israel Navy Veteran Association and a senior consultant in the field of Homeland Security
Former Commander in Chief of Israeli Navy
Vice Admiral (Ret.) David Ben-Bashat engaged in the field of Homeland Security as an international senior consultant. Was a the Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy, the culmination of more than 38 years of naval service.

Vice Admiral (Ret.) David Ben-Bashat engaged in the field of Homeland Security as an international senior consultant. Was a the Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy, the culmination of more than 38 years of naval service. Served as Israel’s Defense Attache and as the Head of the Israeli Ministry of Defense mission to Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Vice Admiral (Ret.) Ben-Bashat was awarded the United States’ highest decoration for a foreign military officer, the Legion of Merit, and Italy’s highest special decoration for his contribution to the Italian navy and to the NATO forces alliance. Graduate of the U.S. Naval War College and has a B.A. in Economics and a Master of Business Administration from the Haifa University.

Dan Hacohen
Senior Partner, Agmon & Co Rosenberg Hacohen & Co
Dan is a senior partner at Agmon & Co Rosenberg Hacohen & Co, and heads its energy practice. Dan is widely regarded as one of Israel’s leading experts in the energy sector with over 25 years of experience in energy projects, with particular emphasis on natural gas.

Dan is a senior partner at Agmon & Co Rosenberg Hacohen & Co, and heads its energy practice. Dan is widely regarded as one of Israel’s leading experts in the energy sector with over 25 years of experience in energy projects, with particular emphasis on natural gas. Dan has been involved in most of the major gas projects in Israel including the Yam Tethys project that discovered the Noa and Mari-B gas reservoirs offshore southern Israel (Israel’s first offshore gas discovery), the Tamar project that in 2009 discovered the 10 TCF Tamar and Dalit reservoirs in deep water off-shore northern Israel and the Leviathan project that in 2011 discovered the 20 TCF Leviathan field off-shore northern Israel. Dan has been involved in all aspects of these projects, including the initial farm-in agreements, joint operating agreements, acquisition agreements, the negotiations with the government for receipt of the exploration rights, gas sale agreements (at an estimated value of over $25 billion), financing agreements (of approximately $3 billion), service agreements and many other related agreements. Dan has also been involved in oil and gas projects in Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and the US and has advised the Government of Israel in the privatization of four government owned E&P companies. Dan is ranked by Chambers as a Key Individual in Projects and Energy as well as by Legal 500 and other leading legal directories. Mr. Hacohen earned his LLB degree from the Hebrew University in 1986. Mr. Hacohen was the first Co-Chairman of the Energy Committee of the Israeli Bar Association and is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN).

Amir Foster
Natural Gas Industry Expert, Foster Consultancy Group
Amir Foster is an Energy Specialist, previously an Analyst in the Israeli financial sector and one of the first energy analysts in Israel. Mr. Foster is the founder and manager of Foster Consultancy Group, a private consultant firm that specializes in the oil & gas industry, working with local as well as foreign companies and organizations in strategy, risk assessments, market analysis, valuation and investment management.

Amir Foster is a private consultant in the Oil & Gas industry, working with international and national energy companies as well as financial institutions, investors and the Israeli government. He assists them in market research and analysis; valuation; risk assessments; governmental policy; understanding the Israeli regulation and business ecosystem; strategic partnerships and relationships in Israel. Foster Consulting Group offers its services on a broad range of subjects in the Israeli and the Levant Basin Oil & Gas market. As an Israeli leader in commercial intelligence for the energy industry, Foster Consulting Group assists companies and policy makers in navigating the complex local Oil & Gas marketplace. With robust proprietary data and models they forecast and evaluate companies, projects, initiatives and the ever changing geopolitical environment. Prior to his work as a private consultant, Amir was a Senior Financial Analyst in the Israeli stock exchange marketplace, building his career as one of the pioneering figures in Israel in financial analysis and projections in the Energy sector. Amir worked as a Senior Equity Analyst at DASH, one of Israel’s leading & largest asset management firms managing more than $20 billion, where he focused on growth in the Energy sector. Amir holds a First Class Honors’ BA from the Executive Business Management Program, where he also received a Rectors Honor & Academic Center President Honor award. He holds an MsC in Finance from Tel Aviv University.

Danny Sheffer
Sr. Director Oil & Gas, Large Enterprises Assessment Office, Israel Tax Authority, Israeli Government
Since 2013, Danny Sheffer has been the Sr. Director Oil & Gas, Large Enterprises Assessment Office, Israel Tax Authority. He manages the group responsible for auditing oil & gas companies, partnerships and service providers. Former Manager in the Tax Authority’s International Tax Division. Managing the exchange of information relationships with other tax authorities. Member of several OECD committees and global international taxation forums.

Gaby Kantz
Marketing Manager, Fire Protection Division, Bermad
Since 2002 Mr Kantz has been Marketing Manager of the Fire Protection Division at Bermad – a leading manufacturer of hydraulic operated valves. After studying Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering at university, from 1975 to 1985 Gaby was a Project Engineer in the oil & gas industry in a leading EPC company.

Since 2002 Mr Kantz has been Marketing Manager of the Fire Protection Division at Bermad - a leading manufacturer of hydraulic operated valves. After studying Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering at university, from 1975 to 1985 Gaby was a Project Engineer in the oil & gas industry in a leading EPC company. From 1985 to 1988 he was the Chief Engineer of a paper mill, before becoming a Senior Sales and Regional Marketing Manager in the Fire Protection European Market until 2002.

Simon Weintraub
Partner, Yigal Arnon & Co
Simon Weintraub is a partner in the international department and banking group at Yigal Arnon & Co., with a focus on cross-border lending transactions in general and specifically in the Oil and Gas space. Simon regularly represents global banks and financial institutions investing in Israel and has been involved in some of the largest cross border transactions involving Israel and its natural gas resources.

Simon Weintraub is a partner in the international department and banking group at Yigal Arnon & Co., with a focus on cross-border lending transactions in general and specifically in the Oil and Gas space. Simon regularly represents global banks and financial institutions investing in Israel and has been involved in some of the largest cross border transactions involving Israel in recent years including most recently where Simon acted for the joint book-running managers JP Morgan, CitiGroup and HSBC in a US$2 billion private placement of senior secured notes issued by Delek and Avner and also in the case of acting for Barclays Bank Plc, as arranger, Bank Mizrahi Tefahot, as facility agent and a number of Israeli institutional lenders in a US$225 million credit facility and re-financing transaction with Dor Gas Explorations Partnership, a partner in the Tamar field.

Zvi Steve Rome
Founder, Petco International Ltd
Chairman, Energy Committee, Israel-America Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Rome is the Co-Founder of Petco Int’l, established in 1981. Petco is an American Energy Consulting Group, based in McLean, Virginia USA, with offices in Spain, Italy and Israel. Under his leadership, Petco has implemented several large energy projects in the state of Israel and the Mediteranean region, and has fostered industrial cooperation between US, EU and Israeli firms.

Mr. Rome is the Co-Founder of Petco Int'l, established in 1981. Petco is an American Energy Consulting Group, based in McLean Virginia USA, with offices in Spain, Italy and Israel. Under his leadership, Petco has implemented several large energy projects in the state of Israel and the Mediterranean Region, and has fostered industrial cooperation between US, EU and Israeli firms. For over three decades, Petco projects have resulted in more than $4 Billion in additional sales to Petco’s clients. Petco projects include delivering over 12 million tons of Consol US coal to Israel Electric power plants; assisting the Gov't of Israel in privatizing its refineries; helped Wood Group Power execute an EPC contract for an 800MW power plant and developed the project that provided Excelerate Energy’s Regas LNG ship to Israel Electric. Mr. Rome resides in Israel and attends bi-monthly meetings at Petco's DC office. His civic activities include: Int'l Advisor to the US Energy Assoc. at the US Dep’t of Energy; He is Senior Advisor to the US Atlantic Council's Energy Security Committee. He also serves on the Board of Israel US Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Rome is married to Barbara Opall-Rome and has 4 children.

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