Efraim Eitam

"Effie Eitam is the Chairman of Genie Israel Holdings, Ltd., the holding company that oversees Genie Oil & Gas’ activities in Israel including IEI, the Company’s oil shale project in the Shfela Basin as well as Afek, the company’s oil exploration project on the Golan Heights. Prior to February 2013, Mr. Eitam was President of Genie Energy International. Since joining Genie in Israel in 2009, Mr. Eitam has been key in initiating and developing all of Genie Energy’s activities in Israel, bringing extensive experience in management, strategic leadership and government relations.

"Prior to joining Genie Energy, Mr. Eitam was a leader of the National Religious Party and later the National Union Party, serving as a Member of the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) between 2002 and 2009 where he served as the Minister of National Infrastructure (2002-2003) and Minister of Housing and Construction (2003-2004).

"Mr. Eitam is a Brigadier General (reserves) in the Israel Defense Forces. He earned Israel’s Medal of Distinguished Service for his valor in the Yom Kippur War. Mr. Eitam also participated in Operation Entebbe, the successful hostage rescue mission by Israel’s Defense Forces on July 4th, 1976.

"Mr. Eitam received his M.A. in Political Science and International Relations from Haifa University. He also graduated from the Royal College of Defense Studies with Highest Honors (M.A.)."