Larry Edwards is Chairman & CEO, Æon Group of Companies, Inc. and President & CEO, Global Fusion Institute.

Mr. Edwards is a visionary entrepreneur and technology developer with a strong background in entrepreneurship and marketing, and more than 40 years of business experience in the U.S. and abroad.

For many years he operated a successful public relations and marketing firm in Hawaii, which specialized in tourism and real estate development projects. His understanding of the global market and technological vision have brought about significant breakthroughs in the lighting and energy fields. In 1980 he moved to The Philippines, where he manufactured the first photovoltaic panels in the country and developed a revolutionary uninterruptible lighting system that received six separate international patents. The system was later installed in NASA, the World Trade Center, New York City public schools, and many other facilities throughout the U.S.

Recognized as a leader in economic diplomacy, he is a noted authority and speaker on issues of global trade and development – particularly with regard to emerging economies. Mr. Edwards is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Global Fusion Institute, a global network for the establishment of secure and harmonious cultural, educational, and economic relationships. In March of 2007, he was selected by the U. S. State Department as the keynote speaker for the AGOA conference held in Kigali, Rwanda.

Today his Æon Group of Companies employs its proprietary technologies throughout Africa, with a focus on housing and infrastructure, waste-to-energy and microgrid power, agriculture, and vocational and technical education (in association with the Oklahoma Center for Career and Technical Education system).

Mr. Edwards is a graduate of the University of Hawaii with a B.A. degree in Asian Studies. He has served as a member of the Oklahoma Governor’s International Team and a board member of Sister Cities of Oklahoma City. He is a member of MENSA International.

Vijen Patel (The 81 Collection & Pressbox) - Why building & investing in hardware is overlooked