WALTER BREIDENSTEIN:
 




 
 
 
 
 
President of Gas Technologies L.L.C. in Walloon Lake. The company has five sets of patents pending for their GasTechno process that can turn methane gas into liquid methanol in a single step, which is more efficient than the current two-step process. At present, he is focused on software development, building a renewable energy-based housing community in northern Michigan and patenting various oil and gas technologies. Breidenstein, 41, has conducted business in more than 28 countries and has 20 years of experience in several industries. He began his international career in 1994 by structuring an oil and gas processing agreement between the Petrobrazi Refinery in Romania and Neste, the Finnish National Oil Company. He later initiated a successful venture of trading food and commodity products between Russia and Europe in exchange for petroleum and other products. He earned an associate's degree in petroleum technology from Northwestern Michigan College and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Ferris State University, where he co-founded and became president of FACE (Ferris Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs).


WHERE BORN: "Mt. Pleasant."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "Definitely Jesus Christ. Over the past 15 years, I've gone through a lot of difficult times and by developing a personal, daily relationship with Christ I've grown into an overall better person. I suppose it's like being married in many respects where one or both individuals become better people through their mutual relationship. I've discovered many of the same blessings in my business and personal life by developing this relationship with Christ."

LAST BOOK READ: "The book Over a Barrel: Breaking the Middle East Oil Cartel was an interesting perspective. My preference is to read the Financial Times. Additionally, I have read the Bible every day since January 1997 and have been through it more than 30 times."

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Impatient, always pursuing excellence, endeavoring to be honest, faithful, and funny. My personality is sort of goofy, and I really do try to bring out the best in people unless they are lazy or don't care."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "That is difficult to answer as I manage companies in software development, oil and gas, real estate development, renewable energy and construction management. Energy and renewables are growing exceptionally well while real estate and construction are very difficult at present. Software development is always a smart investment. I have learned the benefits of diversifying my entrepreneurial ventures and not putting all my eggs in one basket."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "The Internet and a keyboard."

FAVORITE PLACE: "After traveling to 32 countries so far, I still believe Dubrovnik, Croatia, is the most beautiful and amazing. Prague is a close second for me. Vevay, Switzerland, is way up there, and Hong Kong is fascinating."

FAVORITE HOBBIES: "Reading, thinking, and praying. Beyond the basics, I love traveling."

FAVORITE FOOD: "Pizza from the Walloon General Store and fresh sea bass grilled in Vietnam."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "I know deep down inside me there is a Psalm singer waiting to get out."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "I would love to get married one day, have a family, and be a wonderful husband and father. If that never happens, I want to be a faithful Christian man who stayed the course despite my weaknesses."

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2009, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.