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CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Business in Vancouver December 30, 2008-January 5, 2009; issue 1001 David Helliwell CEO, Small Energy Group Inc., Age: 36 The Small Energy Group Inc.’s largest client to date has been the University of British Columbia. The university is slashing about $500,000 off its energy bill annually by using energy management software developed by Small Energy in 100 buildings on campus. CEO David Helliwell founded the company with Greg Kerfoot, a co-founder of Crystal Decisions, in 2006. Small Energy’s energy management software helps reduce energy use in commercial buildings by 5% to 25%. Last September, the month prior to commercially launching, the company received an $88,000 award from Small Ventures BC for its technology. A part-time professional windsurfer for three years, Helliwell developed Small Energy’s energy management software after leaving a four-year role as senior policy adviser to Stephen Owen, the federal minister of public works and government services. It was while planning and implementing medium to long-term government projects for the ministry that Helliwell became acutely aware of the energy consumption of existing buildings. “They account for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions but no one really talks about making existing buildings more efficient,” said Helliwell. Helliwell has a history of contribution to the field of energy efficiency. He helped establish the Canadian Green Building Council and led the federal government’s greening government initiative in 2004. While Helliwell enjoys having a more ground-level real-world impact as a member of the private sector, he thinks it is important to have work experience in both the public and private sector. “People who spend their entire lives in one or the other don’t appreciate the good parts and the bad parts of the other one,” said Helliwell. Small Energy has 20 employees and is hiring between one and three employees each month as it prepares to boost marketing efforts and to increase its visibility among industry peers in 2009. • Birthplace: Vancouver Where do you live now: Vancouver Highest level of education: Master’s degree Car or chosen mode of transport: Bike Currently reading: How Would You Move Mount Fuji? by William Poundstone Last CD bought or music downloaded: Seal Favourite movie: The Right Stuff Favourite local restaurant: Tojo’s Restaurant Profession you would most like to try: Crane operator Mentor: Frank Iacobucci Toughest business or professional decision: Turning down well-paying job offers to start a company What’s left to do: A lot. Discovering new things with my daughters. Bringing profitable energy efficiency to millions of buildings around the world. Helping to reduce energy poverty in the developing world. And maybe taking a woodworking course |
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