Alain Turenne

I've been in progressive engineering positions for over 20 years. I'm passionate about developing new ideas into tangible assets / results. 

Highly experienced, hands-on, data driven, team focused engineering leader with a proven track record of leading engineering and non-technical teams.Engineering leadership coupled with strong operations management experience allows for a comprehensive view of the business environment and a highly collaborative team approach to any new challenges. Quickly grasps complex concepts/issues, analyzes and interprets ideas objectively into logical strategy. Excellent communicator and active listener: both internally (from the shop floor to the boardroom) and externally (from customers to investors)

Highland Materials, Johnson City, TN.

CTO Technical Lead in factory Project Development (Jan 2022 - present)

The successful acquisition of the silicon purification IP allowed for the

formation of Highland Materials.

Key Activities:

• Responsible for IP definition for transfer to NewCo.

• Successfully responded to all technical due diligence questions, from

partners, banks, consultants, investors etc. as required for the capital raise

• Successfully explained all aspects of the technology to all interested

parties (i.e. including non-technical finance people)

• Held key role in equipment selection

• Led process description transfer to factory builder / equipment suppliers

Silicor Materials (Calisolar & 6N Silicon) San Jose, CA & Vaughan, ON

CTO Technical Lead in factory Project Development (Jan 2015 - 2022)

From 2015 activities shifted focus to developing a project to build a silicon

refinery. These efforts led to potential sites in Iceland, Germany, U.S.A and

China. This effort included all aspects of technology transfer and technical

due diligence examinations by potential partners, investors and customers.

Key Activities:• Responsible for the successful technology transfer to a Chinese partner.

• Responded to all technical due diligence inquiries, from partners, banks,

consultants, investors etc. as required for the capital raise

• Presented the details of the technology to all interested parties (i.e. non-

technical finance people)

• Participated in harbour, power and site selection for the factory in Iceland

• Led equipment selection

• Led process description transfer to factory building / equipment suppliers

Silicor Materials

CTO (Jan 2013 - 2015)

Reporting to the CEO, I was responsible for all aspects of technology

development. At its peak the research team consisted of approximately 40

individuals split between Canada and Berlin, The team consisted of

technicians, engineers, and PhD level scientists.

Our key accomplishments include:

• Developing a new metallurgical process for refining silicon to a purity level

suitable for the solar market

• This material was used to produce ~20 million solar cells deployed in the

field today

• Tested in the material in mono PERC cells with ~20% efficiency on the first

attempt.

• Generated 16+ patents with the team.

• First inventor on several key patents

• Successful, direct interactions with customers on technical issues,

• Developed R&D roadmap in concert with finance and operations to

successfully meet the business goals

• Met critical technical milestones required for continued investor funding.

• International experience leading the R&D teams in Canada and Berlin

• Headed all technical due diligence effortsSilicor Materials

Director of Engineering (Feb 2007 – Dec 2012)

• Directed the R&D team in Canada reporting to the Founder (to 2010) then

COO.

• Successfully accomplish key development breakthroughs required for the

sale of 6N Silicon to CaliSolar

• Successfully accomplished key development breakthroughs required to

meet investor milestones.

• Manage a team of engineers and scientists. Directed the activities of the

operations staff in concert with the VP of operations.

ATS (Photowatt Technologies) Director, Process Engineering

Cambridge, ON (Jan 2002 – Jan 2007)

• Reporting to the President, I was responsible for all aspects of the process

for a novel solar cell production facility

• Assisted in the design and review of new equipment

• Led commissioning of major process equipment

• Led the engineer staff and worked in cross-functional teams which

included operations

Princeton Lightwave Cranbury, NJ Mar 2000 – Jan 2002

Fabrication and Assembly Engineering Manager

• Directed the process engineering team in the fabrication and assembly of

high-powered laser diodes for use in telecom fiber-optic systems

• Implemented SPC controls in both the fabrication of InP diode lasers and

the package assembly area resulting in yield improvements from 10% to

70% over a 6-month period

• Partnered with R&D and NPI to ensure process viability in volume

manufacturing.• Established documentation system and engineering control procedures

• Developed VB applications of interface with our MES and SQL database

systems

• Linked via software our Newport fibre aligner and our MES to provide real-

time part tracking.

• Developed the software required to fully automate a custom designed

Newport laser test station resulting in a 10-fold increase in throughput and

~ 100K in capital avoidance

Nortel Networks Ottawa, ON Jan. 1997 – Feb. 2000

Operations Manager, Advance Assembly and Test (Feb 1999 – Feb 2000)

• Managed over 130 employees including engineering, equipment

technicians and operations group. The group successfully served internal

customers by manufacturing PIN diodes and receiver modules

• Responsible for all aspects of the business including the budget, deliveries,

yield, equipment performance, and staffing. Thus ensuring customer

expectations were met

• Partnered with designers and PLMs ensuring seamless entry of new

products into production

Nortel Networks

Engineering Manager, High Performance Optical Components (1998 -

1999)

• Directed the activities of the engineering team in the assembly of high-

speed OC-192 optical transmitter and receiver modules

• Designed and implemented yield improving and cost reducing process

changes. All issues were identified through statistical analysis and all

changes assessed in the same way

• Partnered with designers and NPI to ensure smooth transition of new

products into production

• Researched and procured new process tooling allowing for advanced

assembly techniques

• Carried out all managerial functions within the groupNortel Networks

Process Engineer MOD IV (Jan 1997- Jan 1998)

• Solved a major yield issue that resulted in an 8 million dollar annual savings

while working jointly with test and product engineering

• Responsible for all the silicon wafer etching and cleaning tools, all the

process specifications were met

• Completed acceptance and qualification of new equipment and oversaw

the transfer into production

M.Eng Engineering Management, University of Ottawa

Bachelor of Applied Science, Chemical Engineering University of Ottawa

Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry/Biotechnology Carleton University