Our Team
Based in Abu Dhabi (UAE), the AtmoCooling team is a dynamic and diverse group of professionals united by a common mission to combat climate change through innovative technology. The team brings expertise with backgrounds spanning engineering, environmental science, business development, and project management, each member brings unique expertise and a passion for sustainability.
Paul Mahacek Co-Founder & CEO
Technology veteran with over two decades of experience, excels in climate science, manned space travel, robotics, and large-scale vertical farming. He is dedicated to developing sustainable systems to address climate change challenges through innovative technologies and practices. Proven track record of spearheading successful technical strategies, creating clear roadmaps, and consistently delivering results. Expertise in building and managing top-performing teams and advisors to drive projects to success. A dynamic leader with a combination of strategic vision, technical acumen, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
Paul-Emmanuel Hervé Co-Founder & CTO
Mechanical engineer driven by a passion for innovation and nature-based solutions, motivated by a desire to tackle social inequality and malnutrition intensified by climate change. He was inspired by a lifetime Leadership in designing and producing complex automotive components, managing the entire development process from conception to industrial manufacturing and technical validation. Innovative thinking that identified the potential of winds in coastal deserts as vectors for long-range transport, leading to the development of AtmoCooling.
Travis Woodrow Software Engineer & Business
Highly skilled software engineer with exceptional analytical abilities. Specializing in the development of sophisticated programmatic algorithms, he excels in performing strategic analyses that drive economic gains and accomplish strategic objectives. Specialties Identifying and understanding potential opportunities in the market. Uses insightful questioning to ensure all factors have been considered in project planning and execution. Demonstrates a keen ability to identify market needs and design appropriately scaled programmatic solutions.
Cinda Voegtli R&D and Customer Deployments Management
Experienced program manager, start-up executive, and technical line manager, as well as author, instructor, and advisor on strong practices for complex cross-functional projects and teams. Extensive experience in high-tech product development including robotics in factory and agricultural automation, online information services, process improvement, medical devices, and IT. Specialties: Orchestrating the complex work of cross-functional, cross-organization teams executing large programs and portfolios Getting practical project and product approaches into effective, situation-specific use, including in scrappy start-up stages and evolving through organizational growth Quickly finding big leverage points in process and people development to improve execution All with the ultimate goals of mature, business-savvy managers and cross-functional teams, and the success of the business initiatives they are responsible for.
Rhiannon Woo Product Applications
Experienced professional specializing in Quality Management Systems (QMS) and continuous improvement, with a particular focus on sustainable food systems. Has a rich background in both traditional and high-tech agriculture. Known for a team-building leadership style, excelling in plan development and effective implementation support. Specialties: Managing relationships with key stakeholders, and able to effectively communicate and negotiate to achieve beneficial outcomes. Using a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on the way a system's constituent parts interrelate and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems. Creating strategic plans and effectively implementing them, considering both the big picture and the detailed steps necessary to achieve desired objectives.
Hervé Bontemps UAE Development Advisor
Architect with over 40 years of experience in Abu Dhabi. He has spent half of his career as an project architect and the other half working with developers, both private and government, to develop the country. His expertise includes a deep understanding of both the operational and developmental aspects of project deployment in the UAE.