The OFI Board of Directors   Michael Aghajanian PRTM   Gary Augusta OFI & OCTANe   Dwight Decker Conexant Systems, Inc.   Scott Flanders Freedom Communications   Michael Mussallem Edwards Lifesciences    David Perry K&L Gates   Jim Peterson Microsemi     Advisors   Doug Freeman IFF Advisors   Ted Smith MIND Research Institute

OFI MANAGEMENT Gary Augusta, Executive Director Gary Augusta is the executive director of the OCTANe Foundation for Innovation, and is the President and CEO of OCTANe. Gary has over 15 years of experience in business consulting, technology start-ups as well as Fortune 500 corporate ventures and development. As a corporate officer of Fluor, Gary focused on internal new business creation as well as mergers and acquisitions. Gary was responsible for accelerating and evaluating new business opportunities and was on the Board of a private software company. Within the M&A function, Gary focused on identifying acquisitions, leading due diligence and managing integration efforts for several acquisitions.  As a senior executive with a CRM technology start-up in Silicon Valley, Gary was responsible for developing the business plan and operating model, venture fundraising and establishing technology alliances with companies such as PeopleSoft and Siebel.   As a Principal with A.T.Kearney, Gary helped create the firm’s customer strategy and service methodology and also focused on growth and M&A strategy, operational improvement initiatives and change management assignments for clients such as Fed Ex, Bell South, Prudential, EDS, Wachovia, Boys and Girls Club and several emerging companies. Gary started his role with OCTANe in March of 2004 and serves on the Tech Coast Angels (TCA) Board of Governors and OCVG Board Observer. Gary has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters of Science and Management (MSM) from Georgia Tech.

Celeste Signorino, Foundation Director   Celeste Signorino joined the OCTANe Foundation for Innovation in July 2007 as its full-time Director.  Celeste has 15 years of experience in public affairs and has worked extensively with leaders in business, education, government and the non-profit sectors.    Previously, Celeste was the Director of Public Affairs for Conexant Systems, Inc., one of OCTANe’s founding partners, where she established the Public Affairs department responsible for the community relations and legislative affairs activities. Celeste joined Conexant in the communications department and helped facilitate the spin-off of the semiconductor business from Rockwell International in January 1999.  Celeste began her career in Public Relations with Neiman Marcus where she managed the community relations, public relations and marketing activities of a high-end specialty retailer.    Throughout her career, Celeste has worked with numerous non-profit and industry organizations as a board member, committee member, fundraiser and advisor.  Some of her affiliations include: Project Tomorrow, El Sol Science and Arts Academy, KOCE-TV, Discovery Science Center, MIND Institute, and UC Irvine to name a few.   Celeste received her bachelor’s degree in international business from the George Washington University.