VLE Board
Dr. Dave Irvine-Halliday MSM, PEng, Rolex Laureate 2002, Professor Emeritus, University of Calgary, is the Founder and Executive Chairman of VLE. In 1997, he was the originator of bringing LED Lighting to the developing world and the NGO Light Up The World ( www.lutw.org ) was founded also in 1997, the first ever organization to bring LED lighting to the Developing World. LUTW has installed Solar LED Lighting Systems that have illuminated the lives of over a 1.2 Million poor people in 54 countries. In recognition of Dr. Dave’s services to humanity, he received the following awards: Rolex Laureate; Tech Museum Laureate; Saatchi & Saatchi Laureate; Alberta Emerald; Reader’s Digest Canadian Hero of the Year; Alberta Science & Technology; Time Canada Heroes; Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Canada; Alberta Government Centennial Medal; Honorary Doctorate from University of Aberdeen, Scotland; K.Y. Lo Medal of the Engineering Institute of Canada; Finalist IET Innovation Awards, London, UK and many more. In 2009 he founded VLE and is actively involved in Product Design, Sales and Marketing.
Sridhar Ponugupati, is an IT, Communication Technology Expert and Entrepreneur. He founded two successful businesses; BLAZE Automation and Institute for Embedded Technologies. Worked with organizations like IIIT Hyderabad, Institute for Electronic Governance and currently responsible for Business development at VLE. Some of his achievements include; Outstanding IEEE student of the year 2003, Best Circuit designer of the year 2004, Faraday Memorial Award in 2004 for solid state lighting designing for third world countries, Stood among the TOP 20 in world at Windows Embedded Challenge in 2006, Seattle, USA. Was instrumental in the design of India’s first Platinum green home in 2009. Awarded MSME grant for development of Micro Hydro Power Plant automation system in 2010.
Dr. Vithal Rajan, B.A. Hons (McGill), Ph.D.(L.S.E.),has worked as an information officer, I.C.I., Canada; as a mediator for the Church in Belfast in the 1970s; and later as a member of the founding faculty at the School of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK; as Chair of World Studies, International School of Geneva; as Director, World-Wide Fund for Nature International, Switzerland; and as Executive Director, the Right Livelihood Award Foundation, Sweden (also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize). He founded the Deccan Development Society and several other Indian NGOs. In 2006, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for life-long service to humanity. Dr. Vithal is helping VLE to attain its goals by introducing it to various NGO’s, Corporates and Governments.
Col Dr T. S. Surendra, M.Tech (Power Systems, IITD), Ph.D. (Energy Systems, JNTUH), had served in the Indian Army for 23 years as an engineer (Corps of EME) and later in the Solar PV Industry for 14 years as a Vice President and Director, during which he was associated with the setting up of a Solar Photovoltaic Moduling plant in collaboration with the erstwhile Energy Conversion Devices, Troy MI. He also guided a World Bank/IREDA sponsored Solar PV program relating to the installation of DC floating pumping systems using a-Si modules in the Southern States of India. He brings with him many years of experience that add great value to VLE.
Gayathri Ramachandran has served as Member on the Board of Global Village Energy Partnership and later its Chairperson, National Focal Point for the Rural Energy Development Programme of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (ESCAP), Bangkok, Member, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) working Group on Energy, Member of the Expert Group on Energy and Rural Development in UNDP – ESCAP, Member of the Expert Group on Energy, Asian Development Bank. She was Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Director General of the premier environment Institute EPTRI. She has held important positions in the Government of India in the Ministries of Power, Petroleum Industries, Chemicals & Fertilizers and Civil Aviation. In a career spanning over 36 years, she had held top national and international positions. Currently she works with NGOs and Corporates as Adviser.
Arjun Valluri served as the Founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Intelligroup, Inc . He is currently responsible for Industry out-reach, Active member of Ideation team of Blaze and expert in product conceptualization. Throughout the years, Arjun has received various awards such as: NJ Fast 50 awards in the years 1995,1996, 1997. NJ Fast 500 award in 1999, NJ Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in the years 1995,1996,1997, NJ Ernst and young Entrepreneur of the Year Winner in 2001. Var Business 500 Awards in 2000, 2001,2002, Young Presidents’ Organization, Inc. In 2003, Recipient of Ronald Reagan Technology Award from the World Business Forum for 2004. Arjun is assisting VLE in business development related aspects.
