Jean Simonnet

Background

About Jean Simonnet

Jean R. Simonnet Biography 07-19-2020 Mr. Jean R. Simonnet, has been appointed CEO of Energy 18H, a start-up operating in the renewable energy sector, since October 2020. At the same time Jean joined Lehigh University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as a business consultant advising various businesses regarding their development, pulling from the SBDC various expertise and financial resources. Previously Entrepreneur in Residence at Muhlenberg College Jean has been teaching from 2008 until 2019, his classes covered Entrepreneurship Policy, Capital Venture, Entrepreneurial Practicum and Renewable Energy. In these courses, he concentrated on the links between theoretical studies and practical applications in the business world. Mr. Simonnet, who is tri-lingual and a seasoned international executive, graduated from “Ecole Centrale d’Electronique” in Paris, France and has completed additional graduate work at Loughborough University in England, as well as intensive, complementary studies in Health, Safety, and Environment in Holland. During his career, he successively led research and development programs with Corning Glass Works International on photo chromic lenses in Harrodsburg, KY, followed by an 18 year career in technical gases with Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. where he held senior positions in operations and commercial responsibilities across Europe, including being a member of various management committees and boards, at Director and Vice President levels, in England, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany. Mr. Simonnet founded his own company in France and remained the President and CEO for 8 years. This company, SAGIM, operates in the hydrogen market in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and South America. He was also the President of Prometeo, a French association of companies operating in the meteorology sector. At the same time, he was named Vice President Sales and Marketing for HBT, a California start-up developing hydrocarbon reformers producing hydrogen for the fuel cell and car industry. Over the last years as part of his activity as a private consultant, operating his own consulting company, HJS-International Consulting, Mr. Simonnet created the Corporate Health and Safety Department for DCNS, the French naval armed fleet. In this responsibility he was directly involved with the construction and commercial activity of the armed vessel sector including nuclear operations, as well as associating with many high-tech contracting companies in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the USA.