Ivan is a Chemical Engineer and Engineering Manager with 25 years of professional experience in technology development, technology licensing, process engineering, project development and engineering management and has worked in the USA, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Ivan’s experience spans the full spectrum of the project lifecycle including R&D, conceptual development, front-end engineering design (FEED), construction, commissioning, start-up, operational optimization, and debottlenecking.
Technology experience includes high-temperature processes (gasification and gas reforming), low-temperature processes (air separation and cryogenic hydrocarbon separation), gas processing (CO2 removal, syngas purification, hydrogen production), syngas conversion (Fischer Tropsch, Oxo and methanol synthesis), refining, carbon capture and sequestration, wastewater treatment, power production as well as several chemicals technologies (predominantly for production of co-monomers and detergent alcohols / alkylates).
Ivan is currently Manager of Solutions Delivery within the Bechtel Energy Technology & Solutions (BETS) team and is also a Bechtel Subject Matter Expert in the area of advanced fuels. The BETS group licenses a portfolio of proprietary technologies, leads and delivers front-end conceptual studies, and provides process technology advisory services to Bechtel Energy’s refinery, petrochemical, and energy transition projects.

Ivan holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Natal in South Africa, as well as a Bachelors of Commerce degree, with majors in risk management and economics. Ivan has 12 US patents.

Christine Thoms Knox is a Senior Business Development Manager specializing in Energy Transition at Bechtel. With a strong focus on advancing hydrogen value chain projects in North America, Christine brings extensive expertise in hydrogen, ammonia, and e-methane technologies, bolstered by her deep understanding of licensor technologies and electrolyzers. Prior to her current role, Christine led Innovation and Digital Solutions for Bechtel Energy, where she spearheaded technology-driven strategies to enhance productivity, sustainability, and customer value. Her adeptness in fostering collaborative relationships with customers, technology licensors, OEMs, and start-ups has been instrumental in driving project advancements aligned with decarbonization goals. Previously, Christine held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at CB&I.

Christine boasts over two decades of leadership experience spanning various domains including construction, energy, strategic planning, innovation, change management, investor relations, communications, marketing, organizational behavior, mergers and acquisitions, market research and development, and governance.

She holds a master’s in business administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in advertising from The University of Texas. Christine also holds certifications from Harvard Business School and Michigan Ross School of Business. Her commitment to community engagement is reflected in her board membership with United Way of Greater Houston. Christine was also recognized as one of the ‘Top 20 Under 40’ by Engineering News Record (ENR), ‘Top 40 Under 40 Professionals’ by the Houston Business Journal, and as a 'Power 50 Recipient' by the National Diversity Council.