July 14, 2003
Grand Rapids Business Journal

By Mark Sanchez

GRAND RAPIDS - Grand Valley State University Vice President of Finance and Administration Tim Schad, introduced the first executive director of the Muskegon SmartZone by describing Dr. Imad Mahawili as both a scientist and a businessman.

Mahawili said he would rely on both qualities to lead the development of the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), the centerpiece of the Muskegon SmartZone.

Most recently Mahawili served as founder, president and CEO of two Grand Rapids-based companies: Micro C Technologies Inc. and IsoComforter Co., both of which he has sold.

Mahawili holds bachelors' and doctorate degrees in chemical engineering from the Imperial College of the University of London.

Mahawili has been working in the alternative energy field since early in his career. His first position was as a chemical engineer with DuPont Chemical in 1974. There he developed chemical feedstock from coal for the chemical industry as a consequence of the 1973 oil embargo and resulting energy crisis.

After his appointment was announced, Mahawili said, "The 1973 oil crisis was the first hiccup on the energy road. I believe we are now in the second energy crisis and we sliding down the supply curve while demand is increasing."

Mahawili also said he considers the MAREC to be "a timely and critical vision for the development of economically viable technologies for alternative and renewable energy resources for our nation."

According to Mahawili, the fuel cell technology that will be further developed in Muskegon is already viable. "We would have had this technology years ago, if the 1973 (oil) embargo had been permanent."

GVSU and FuelCell Energy Inc. signed an agreement in April to install and service a fuel cell power plant for the Muskegon research center. What is developed in the MAREC will be the first commercial project in the world to integrate fuel cell technology, a heat recovery system for heating and air conditioning, photovoltaics and a nickel-metal hydride battery storage system for excess energy. The result will be a building that, in essence, powers itself.

The plant will provide electricity and a heat recovery system for heating and cooling that advances energy technology applications in newly-created research space, incubator facilities, a conference center and classrooms.

The state-of-the-art building is now under construction and is expected to be completed this fall.

The MEDC created and implemented the SmartZone concept in Michigan in 2001 as part of an effort to promote and attract high technology business development in the state. Grand Valley State University is the only institution of higher education to be granted two SmartZones - one in Muskegon, the other in Grand Rapids.

The hiring of Mahawili completes the GVSU SmartZone team. He will run the Muskegon SmartZone. Matt Dugener was hired in June as the executive director of the Grand Rapids SmartZone.

GVSU didn't have to look far for Dugener and Mahawili. Both men are West Michigan residents. But Schad said that, as promised, GVSU did conduct a nationwide search to fill both positions.

"What this indicates to me is that we really do have outstanding people here in West Michigan," said Schad.

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This article appeared in the July 14, 2003 issue of MiBiz, read by upper management executives in West and Southwest Michigan. Print subscriptions are free to qualified individuals who do business in West and Southwest Michigan.  For further information about MiBiz Network, visit www.mibiz.com.