Yih-Ho Michael Pao
Member, National Academy of Engineering USA
CEO
ecoPower USA

Dr. Pao is a Member of National Academy of Engineering USA, and the founder and CEO of ecoPower USA. He is leading the efforts at ecoPower in developing a new, energy conversion tool – the Floating-Windfarm-at-SeaTM that utilizes the low-cost floating-vertical-axis-wind-turbines to convert the rich wind energy resources at sea to ‘green’ electricity at low costs. Dr Pao was an early windpower pioneer in California. He led the efforts at FloWind that developed and commercialized, jointly with Sandia National Labs, over 500 low-cost, vertical-axis-wind-turbines (VAWTs) in two large-scale windfarms in California. The 300 kW VAWT was the largest and the most cost-effective wind turbine at that time. FloWind and Sandia jointly received the top national award for energy innovation for 1984, from the U.S. Dept of Energy. Many of these low-cost VAWTs operated for more than 20 years in California.

Dr. Pao had led the efforts at Flow Industries and Flow International that developed the ultrahigh-pressure waterjet technology into a new, omni-directional, cold cutting tool for flexible automation; and created a multi-billion dollar industry – Waterjet Machining Industry. In addition, he had led the efforts at FlowMole that developed the horizontal directional jet-drilling technology into a new, low-thrust, drilling tool for drilling small-diameter tunnels at low costs – for the trenchless installation of underground pipelines; and ushered in the modern Trenchless Industry.

In the process of developing new tools, Dr. Pao took three companies public, and listed them on NASDAQ National Market: Flow International (FLOW); ADMAC (ADMC) –acquired; and FlowMole (MOLE) – acquired. FLOW was the 3rd best performing IPO in 1983, according to the Barron’s.