A Trail leader in high technology and business mentorship has been recognized with a prestigious provincial award.
Don Freschi was presented with a 2017 Professional Achievement Award in Vancouver on Saturday during the annual ASTTBC (Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC) ceremony.
“Don has been developing and innovating in Chemical Engineering Technology throughout his career,” said ASTTBC CEO John Leech. “He is a great example of a technology entrepreneur and a business mentor. Both of these roles are critical to the future of our success as qualified technology professionals.”
The ASTTBC Technology Awards and Recognition Celebration recognizes B.C.’s technology professionals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements.
As a recipient of the Professional Achievement Award, Freschi’s recognition by his peers was two-fold. First, as an ASTTBC member who has distinguished himself in his field of technology, and notably, for his substantial contributions to the well-being of the community.
As co-founder and CEO of the former Firebird Technologies, and lead coach for the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology’s Venture Acceleration program, Freschi was acknowledged for his help in bringing millions of research and development dollars to the Kootenay region.
With more than 20 years of experience in high tech manufacturing, operations, P&L (profit and loss) management, technology development and strategic planning, the ASTTBC also recognized his recent use of technical wisdom to found a new venture called Fenix Advanced Materials. Fenix is an anchor tenant at the Glenmerry-based MIDAS (Metallurgical Industrial Development Acceleration & Studies) facility.
Finally, his peers acknowledged the long-running Sport Fishing on the Fly television show. Freschi owns and hosts the program, which airs across North America on the World Fishing Network and CHEK TV.
The show recognizes First Nations ancestral territory in the areas they film and promotes local B.C. fishing products.
Technologists, technicians and technical specialists achieve professional recognition through the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC. The eighth largest self-regulating association in the province, ASTTBC has registered 10,000 Technology Professionals.