CAPE Nano's Executive Team
Christopher Fleming, Ph.D.
Dr. Fleming has developed and patented a nanomaterial-enhanced photonic amplification technology that delivers a >450X improvement over current state- of-the-art. As a consultant, he's advised DOD clients on continuous coating of graphene and conductive carbon on aerospace components and has advised clients on the use of vertically-aligned carbon nanotube arrays for the conversion of well-sources to potable water.
Dr. Fleming received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from University of California, Davis where he developed a methodology for imaging non-conductive and bio-mimetic species using scanning tunneling microscopy and built several pieces of analytical instrumentation, including a conductive force AFM. His post-doctoral research at the Montana State University Molecular Beam Lab centered on high-vacuum Haber-Bosch catalysis on a variety of substrates of astro-biological importance.
As the Chief Chemist at Solid Carbon Products LLC he was responsible for developing the thermodynamic and kinetic models of CNT reaction dynamics, static and fluidized-bed reactor design, and the correlation and analysis of reactor data. Also at SCP, Dr. Fleming built an analytical laboratory for QC of CNT and CNT-based products, developed and set SOPs, and mentored laboratory staff.
Dr. Fleming was then recruited by BST NanoCarbon in San Diego for the position of VP of Nanomaterial R&D. There, Dr. Fleming and his staff combined classic composites and carbon based nanotechnology to form nanostructured materials such as thermal interface material, high-temperature nanostructured material, and a vertically-aligned carbon nanotube-based heat sink. Dr. Fleming’s work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals including Journal of Physical Chemistry and ACS Nano and has a portfolio of trade secrets and patent applications.
Alan D. Gold
Alan D. Gold has served as executive chairman of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. board of directors since its formation. Mr. Gold served as chairman, chief executive officer, and president of BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. (formerly NYSE: BMR), a REIT specializing in acquiring, leasing, developing and managing laboratory and office space for the life science industry, from its inception in 2004 through the sale of the company to affiliates of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VIII L.P. in January 2016. Mr. Gold also served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of BioMed Realty’s privately-held predecessor, Bernardo Property Advisors, Inc., from August 1998 until August 2004.
In addition, Mr. Gold was a co-founder and served as president and a director of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE), a publicly traded urban office REIT, from its predecessor’s inception in 1994 until August 1998. Mr. Gold served as managing partner of GoldStone Real Estate Finance and Investments, a partnership engaged in the real estate and mortgage business, from 1989 to 1994. He also served as assistant vice president of commercial real estate for Northland Financial Company, a full service commercial property mortgage banker, from 1989 to 1990 and as real estate investment officer – commercial real estate for John Burnham Company, a regional full service real estate company, from 1985 to 1989.
From December 2013 to June 2016, Mr. Gold served on the board of directors and as a member of the nominating and compensation committees of CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc.(NYSE:CTT), a publicly traded REIT focused on timberland ownership. From August 2011 to March 2013, Mr. Gold also served on the board of directors and as a member of the audit committee of American Assets Trust, Inc. (NYSE AAT), a publicly traded REIT focused on acquiring, developing and managing retail, office, multifamily and mixed-use properties. Mr. Gold currently serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, a research organization dedicated to fundamental research in biology and its relation to health, and as a member of the board of directors of the Campanile Foundation, a philanthropic foundation that supports San Diego State University.
Mr. Gold received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and his Master of Business Administration from San Diego State University.
Paul E. Smithers
Paul E. Smithers has served as president and chief executive officer of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. since its formation, and is one of its directors.
From August 2013 to July 2015, Paul Smithers served as co-founder and chief legal officer of Iso Nano International, LLC, a designer and manufacturer of advanced materials for use in the aerospace, consumer goods, electronics, and safety industries.
Prior to his time at Iso Nano, Mr. Smithers was the managing partner of Smithers & Player, Attorneys at Law from September 1989 to July 2013, and was with the law firm of Ropers, Majeski in San Francisco from 1982 through 1988. Much of his 33 years of legal experience has involved both commercial and residential real estate transactions and disputes.
Mr. Smithers is a member of the California Bar and a licensed California real estate broker.