|
Drope – Treasurer
Mr. Drope has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan majoring in economics and finance. He is a fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute and a Certified Investment Manager. John is the Managing Director of the Okanagan Innovation Fund (OIF) the first Private Equity Fund in the Okanagan. John first become involved in private company financing in 1994 as a founding shareholder of a number of university spin-off companies based at the University of British Columbia. John was responsible for organizing and completing two private placements worth $2 million for DRI Dehydration Research Inc. (now known as EnWave). Investors included Working Opportunity Fund, AgriVest and Seed Management. He is a founding shareholder in Westport Innovations (WPT-TSE,) a UBC start-up company. John assisted Westport in completing a $3 million financing in 1998. John founded and managed the VCC fund, Innovation Growth Fund (VCC) Ltd.
John served on the Board of Directors of Integrated Drying Systems (Kettle Valley Dried Fruit), for over 5 years and during that time he also acted as their Canadian Sales Manager, responsible for Canadian grocery sales. Integrated Drying Systems a company that manufactures 100% natural fruit bars, energy bars, and cereal bars was acquired by Sun-Opta Foods in April 2003. John currently serves on the Board of several other early stage companies in which he is a founding shareholder
|
