Don has been KAST’s lead business coach and Executive in Residence for our Venture Acceleration Program since its inception in 2013. As co-founder/CEO of Firebird Technologies, Don has helped bring millions of research and development dollars into the region, managed a shareholder exit, developed a new product for international markets, and increased sales from $3 million to $9 million over two years.

Don has 20-plus years of experience in high tech manufacturing, operations, P&L management, sales/marketing, technology development and strategic planning. He recently co-founded a new venture, Fenix Advanced Materials, which is an anchor tenant at the MIDAS facility in Trail. Don also owns and stars in Sport Fishing on the Fly.