Ismael Fernández, Acting Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Design and Engineering, brings over 15 years of experience in financial risk management, investment strategies, and economic impact analyses in the technology and real estate sectors. An aerospace engineer by trade and a former Senior Manager at General Electric in the field of portfolio risk management, he has published extensively on the field of advanced economics, risk management, and valuation of technologies under uncertainty in the aerospace industry.

Ismael received earned an MBA and a PhD from Georgia Institute of Technology after he developed an innovative method for assessing the value of flexibility when introducing new technologies, and a decision-making framework to retrofit new technologies into aircrafts already in service. He developed advanced technology valuation models with NASA, and collaborated with companies such as Airbus, Boeing and General Electric in the fields of systems design using stochastic modeling, real options, and game theory.

Ismael also is the Founder and President of Greengate Consulting, an Atlanta-based consultancy that offers business planning services, advice, and marketing services to domestic start-ups and international investors. Currently, he also serves as the Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice-President, and key member of the Board of Directors at the World Trade Center of Atlanta, an organization dedicated to the education and enhancement of international trade and investments. Ismael’s extensive background in design, engineering, and innovation brings a valuable perspective to EDGE’s role as an industry pioneer and leader.