Ember, a leading provider of low-power wireless mesh networking technology, today announced the addition of Jacob Worenklein and Mohamad Ali to its board of directors (BOD).
Ember’s ZigBee networking solutions – CMOS wireless System-on-Chips (SoCs) and ZigBee protocol software and tools – are extensively used in the smart grid – smart meters, home area networks (HANs) and automatic meter reading – and also in home automation and commercial building automation applications. These applications enable better communication between consumers, utilities and businesses in managing energy resources, saving costs and reducing carbon footprint. ZigBee, already the technology of choice for smart energy products, is further enhancing its capabilities by enabling seamless Internet connectivity into each product.
Jacob Worenklein brings to the board a proven track record and multi-faceted experience in the energy space. Jay has not only served as a lawyer and banker for many of the largest and most successful energy companies in the world, but also founded and served as CEO of US Power Generating Company, which owns and operates many of the major power plants in New York City and Boston. He is also on the board of directors of various other public and private companies, most of which are engaged in the electric power, renewable energy and smart grid businesses. The energy management space is Ember’s largest and highest growth market segment for the foreseeable future and Jay’s outstanding operational and strategic knowledge of the energy space will be invaluable to the company.
Mohamad Ali is a senior vice president of corporate development at Avaya prior to which he held various leadership roles at IBM, including in IBM’s GSM semiconductor business. His understanding of the complexity of integrated hardware and software solutions and his rich experience leading multiple M&A transactions within IBM will help Ember maximize its strategic partnerships with other market leaders. Mohamad’s knowledge and experience with leading technology companies will be an asset to Ember and help it maximize its value to the low power, wireless networking market.
Ember also announced the departure of Rebecca Henderson from Ember’s board. Rebecca had been on the BOD for many years but had to leave after accepting a new position at Harvard Business School. Ember would like to thank Rebecca for her counsel and guidance from its early years to its current status as the undisputed ZigBee market leader.
“Congratulations and thanks to Rebecca for her long and fruitful service to Ember as a start-up,” said Chairman Bob Metcalfe of Polaris Venture Partners. “And welcome to Jay and Mohamad, whose deep industry experience and networks will prove invaluable now that Ember is rapidly scaling up.”
About Ember
Ember Corporation (http://www.ember.com) develops ZigBee wireless networking technology that enables companies involved in energy technologies – enertech – to help make buildings and homes smarter, consume less energy, operate more efficiently, and keep people comfortable and safe. Ember’s low-power wireless technology can be embedded into a wide variety of devices to be part of a self-organizing mesh network. Ember is headquartered in Boston and has its radio development center in Cambridge, England, and distributors worldwide. The company is a promoter and Board member of the ZigBee Alliance and its platform is the “Golden Suite” for 802.15.4/ZigBee interoperability testing.
