Management

Akermin’s management team has extensive experience in fuel cells and biocatalysis with a solid leadership track record in Fortune 500 corporations and early-stage ventures.

Barry Blackwell

President and CEO

Barry is a founding member of the St. Louis Arch Angel Network and has more than 25 years of experience in acquisitions, corporate finance and commercial banking with two regional banks and an international financial services company. He is also a member of Akermin’s Board of Directors and managing partner of Integral Capital LLC, a private equity investment company in St. Louis specializing in middle-market company acquisitions.

Paul Gifford, Ph.D.

Vice President, R&D

Paul has over 25 years experience in developing and commercializing advanced batteries, from concept design through commercial production, at such companies as Gates Energy Products, Duracell, and Energy Conversion Devices.  He has played a leadership role in various battery development programs including advanced NiMH batteries for GM’s EV1 electric vehicle program and most recently NiMH batteries for several commercial hybrid electric vehicle platforms.  Dr. Gifford holds several patents in the area of advanced batteries and has authored or co-authored numerous papers in the area of electrochemistry.