Our Team
The Board
John Webley, CEO, MSEE, DSc. (Hon)
With his two co-founders, John grew Advanced Fibre to 500 people and a market capitalization of $6 billion in 1999. Advanced Fibre was a telecommunications company enabling high speed services over copper. John left to found Turin Networks, an optical networking company, in 2000. After retiring from Turin and its subsequent sale to Dell for $700mm, he served as CEO of PAX Streamline (a Khosla Ventures funded bio-mimicry company) for two years. John then founded Innovative Labs, LLC to commercialize early stage technologies in air purification and dehumidification (still active). John founded Trevi Systems in 2010 to commercialize a promising Forward Osmosis water purification technology. Trevi Systems currently employs 25 people and has just commenced revenue shipments of its products. John’s engineering background extends over 40 years in electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering. John received a B.S.E.E. and an M.S.E.E. from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa in 1985 and an honorary Doctorate of Science from Sonoma State University. He served in the South African military and spent 14 months in Antarctica performing upper atmospheric physics experiments.
Itochu Corporation, represented on the Trevi Systems board, brings a rich legacy of innovation and global business acumen to our team. As one of Japan's foremost sogo shosha, or general trading companies, Itochu has a storied history dating back to 1858. Their expertise spans diverse sectors including textiles, machinery, metals, energy, and food, making them a valuable asset in navigating complex global markets. Itochu is renowned for its strategic global partnerships and sustainable business practices, aligning seamlessly with Trevi Systems' commitment to environmental sustainability and technological advancement. With a robust portfolio that includes significant investments in technology-driven businesses, Itochu offers Trevi invaluable insights into cutting-edge technological advancements, supply chain optimization, and sustainable development strategies. Their presence on our board underscores Trevi Systems’ dedication to pioneering sustainable water purification technologies on a global scale.
Tom Birdsall, board member
Tom has a rich background in environmental policy and regulation, management and corporate governance. With an AB in Economics from U.C. Berkeley and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, his career started with 18 years in environmental consulting, notably with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. and regional offices around the country, and then with numerous large corporations. Following his career in environmental policy, Tom founded Sonoma Mountain Group, focusing on diverse non-profit and investment endeavors. In the business sector, he is known for his expertise in hotel development and management, and he has invested in innovative technology companies like Advanced Fibre Communications and Enphase Energy. At Trevi Systems, Tom brings substantial expertise and insights, playing an important role in steering the company towards original solutions in low-energy and carbon free water purification technologies. His leadership and experience are integral to Trevi's commitment to environmental sustainability and technological advancement.
Rebecca Green, board member
Rebecca Green has led a successful career in business management, new ventures, and non-profit leadership. Rebecca received a BA in History at U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. Her career has included the analysis of markets for new communications technologies, including cell phones in the early 1980s, and a 13-year stint Hewlett Packard, where she led the team that created HP’s first web-based store for personal computers and peripherals. Rebecca subsequently led the successful capital campaign and effort to restore the landmark Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco, and she created and manages an award-winning winery in Sonoma County. At Trevi Systems Rebecca brings her extensive business background and experience in bringing new products to markets.
Management Team
Michael Greene, (M.S., Vice President Engineering)
Michael Greene is a seasoned expert in product development and manufacturing systems with a career spanning over 30 years. His expertise in Design for Manufacturing has seen him manage and launch high-volume production systems across four continents. Michael's proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement principles has been instrumental in his roles. His career includes developing automotive air-conditioning systems for General Motors and Delphi Automotive Systems, followed by leading production system development at Trimble Navigation, LTD. Michael's collaboration with John Webley began at PAX Streamline, focusing on energy-efficient air-conditioning technologies, and continued at Innovative Labs with air purification products. Since 2013, he has been integral to Trevi Systems, advancing forward osmosis water purification systems. Michael holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and an M.S. in Computer Engineering from Wright State University.
Shan Yong (Ph.D. Vice President Business Development)
Shan has more than 20 years of experience in business development, innovation, and technology/project management roles globally. She has worked with global water technology conglomerates like Veolia Water and Technologies North America, SembCorp Industries Singapore, SafBon Shanghai as well as local and international startups like Aquafortus, BioLargo, and zNano. She is also on the team at Diamond Gold Investors, a Nevada based family office. She spent a few years with a non-profit organization formerly known as Fraunhofer USA Center for Energy Innovation, now known as Connecticut Center for Applied Separations Technology. Dr. Yong earned her Ph.D., MS, and MA degrees in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from Yale University, a Master of Civil and Environmental Engineering from MIT, and a BA in Environmental Engineering from Univ of Illinois Urbana Champaign. She is an established author with around 1000 citations on her high impact research papers in the field of Forward Osmosis.
Igor Kiryakin, (M.sc, Chief Technology Officer)
Igor Kiryakin brings over four decades of expertise in water desalination and conditioning technologies and industrial water systems design. A graduate with a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Chemical Technology of Russia, he has a distinguished academic background with a PhD dissertation focused on enhancing water quality in the food/beverage industry. Igor's extensive experience includes the design and implementation of 200+ industrial water purification systems in many parts of the world, which includes Silicon Valley, Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Far East. His professional history encompasses roles in developing new disruptive technologies such as Forward Osmosis (FO), Pressurized Forward Osmosis (PFO), Electrodialysis Metathesis (EDM), Liquid/Liquid Extraction. Implementation of conventional water technologies is a big part of Igor's responsibilities. The list includes RO, NF, UF, IX. An extensive effort is focused on sustainability of water technologies by integrating renewable sources of energy, such as Solar, Solar Thermal, Waste Heat, etc.
Michelle Kim, CPA, MS Accounting
Michelle Kim is a Certified Public Accountant in California with over 25 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and taxation. She holds masters’ degrees in accounting from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, and Food Microbiology from Korea University in Seoul, Korea. She has worked for public accounting firms for 15 years, performing financial audits and OMB Circular A-133 audits (Single Audit) for educational institutes, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies, including PG&E, East Bay MUD, Peralta Community College, and California State University Hayward. More recently she has worked for tech companies and start-ups. At Trevi Systems she oversees the departments of Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology.
