Mr. Smati holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Sheffield University, England, a master’s degree in engineering from Nottingham University, England, a MBA from Henley Management College, Oxfordshire, England, and a doctorate from Brunel University, London, England.

Before joining GDF SUEZ, Mr. Smati held various executive positions in a number of energy companies, including President and Chief Executive Officer of BP Amoco Global Power, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for Amoco Power, Vice President of Worldwide Power Development for Arco, and Manager of International Development for National Power of the U.K.

Mr. Smati joined GDF SUEZ Energy North America, Inc. (formerly named Tractebel North America) in 2001 as its Executive Vice President of Strategy. The following year he was named President and Chief Executive Officer of SUEZ Energy Resources, NA Inc. and in 2006 he took over as President and Chief Executive Officer of all energy activities of SUEZ SA in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mr. Smati also serves as Delegate General of GDF SUEZ for North America and represents GDF SUEZ on important political and economic issues relative to the United States, Canada and Mexico.

These multiple functions have required that he handle and be continually aware of all accounting, financial and legal aspects as well as the management control indicators required for the administration of a company comparable to GMi and Gaz Métro.