Here is the second part from the BAAT website -
THE MAN
Part Two(unedited)
Written by JOSEPH P. LaSTELLA not by B.A.T. International Management
If someone were to ask 10 different people who knew Joseph LaStella to
describe him, you would probably get 10 different answers. The descriptions
would range from jungle and arctic explorer, to scientist and inventor, to
builder, environmentalist, teacher, entrepreneur and the President and Founder
of B.A.T. International. (BAAT: OTC) He has also been called a maverick New
York type promoter. "They are all true".
However, part two of the five part series entitled The Man, covers much deeper
issues than "Joe LaStella". This part is about you the American public and how
you perceive yourself and institutions in America.
Now first "Joe". Joe retired 20 years ago, at the age of 38. His prior
experience includes;
1. Joe held many managerial positions for Consolidated Edison Company of
New York, one of the largest utilities companies in the world. Joe was
Technical Superintendent over 2800 megawatts of gas turbine power
generation. (Equivalent to twice the output of Boulder Dam)
2. He was liaison between Con Edison, United Technologies and the
Department of Energy for a power generation project which succeeded in
building and operating a one megawatt fuel cell (that's one thousand kilowatts)
with its own reformer in Hartford, Connecticut in l978.
3. Joe's prior experience base includes construction, research development
and management of design engineering and field personnel for electrical
vertical networks in high-rise buildings in the borough of Manhattan.
When Joe retired in 1978 his scope of interest widened to include exploration
from the jungles of South America to the glaciers of Alaska. He also continued
his research and development of many engineering projects. (some date back
to early sixties) Joe was also a lecturer and spokesman on environmental
engineering issues and invented and developed environmental systems for the
recycling industry, alternate energy industry and the transportation industry.
He founded B.A.T. International 5 1/2 years ago to focus on advanced
transportation technology development.
One of Joe's attributes is long range foresight and planing. In 1992 it was clear
that any R&D or market introduction of electric or super efficient vehicles was
going to be a long process requiring many years of commitment. It is
interesting to note that in 1993 Joe and B.A.T. personnel had a confidential
meeting with a representative from a well-known U.S. Senator's office. At that
meeting, Joe explained plans for development of B.A.T.'s environmental
transportation products and identified possible adversaries of the
technologies. The Senator's representative clearly stated that if B.A.T. were
successful in the development of these products, adversaries would launch an
attack on B.A.T. He outlined possible methods of attack and he suggested
they would initially use very indirect methods to discredit B.A.T. through
contacts at a government level. (SEC, IRS, etc.)
The Senator's Representative said if B.A.T. were attacked he might be able to
help. However, if the attack worsened even he may not be able to help (you
can figure out what that means). He further pointed out that the only insurance
B.A.T. could count on was public awareness and support. He suggested that
the best defense was to make B.A.T. a household word through media
coverage of B.A.T.'s technological accomplishments. B.A.T. followed this
advice. Over the past five years, B.A.T. has been very successful in gaining
recognition throughout the U.S. Asia and Europe, and within the environmental
groups, political organizations, the transportation industry and the public.
B.A.T. did ask the Senator once for help when B.A.T. received a cease and
desist order from a major auto corporation in the U.S. This happened four
years ago when B.A.T. was still weak and relatively unknown. The Senator
heroically defended B.A.T.'s position and the company immediately backed off,
sending a clear signal to other "would-be'' assailants that B.A.T. was not
alone.
Today B.A.T. is very strong, with literally tens of thousands of supporters
across every industry and segment of the population. B.A.T. has had five
years to plan for its eventual fight with adversaries yet unknown. B.A.T had
always planned that 1998 would be the year the company would cross over
from research and development to a production company through its
subsidiaries. B.A.T. personnel (and supporters) are very hard working
environmentalists. For example, Joe LaStella and many other upper
management at B.A.T. have never taken a salary. People close to B.A.T. know
that almost every night, including most weekends, B.A.T. personnel work into
the early morning hours working 70-90 hours per week. Its also a well known
fact that Joe has a makeshift bed under his u-shaped desk and Joe requires
only 15-20 minutes of rest to recharge his energy, with many nights continuing
into the next day.
Over the past five years, Joe has surrounded himself with the finest engineers
and design fabricators. At the CALSTART building in Burbank, Ca., B.A.T. has
been the largest tenant for the major part of four years with excellent machine
shop and fabrication facilities, including full electrical fabrication facilities. All of
the B.A.T. world record-breaking vehicles were designed and completed in
house under the CALSTART roof.
B.A.T. has always planned well into the future. For example, B.A.T planned to
enter the power generation market two years ago. With deregulation now
coming to California and many other states soon to follow, B.A.T. is prepared to
launch its power generation company. Over the past year Joe has spent a
significant amount of time in Texas and Louisiana negotiating long term natural
gas contracts to supply B.A.T.'s pulse charge engines to generate electrical
power to the grid. Joe's planning also included interviewing possible
customers, securing management from the Power Generation Industry, getting
bids on power generation equipment, financing, etc.
Other issues include fairness to shareholders. As President of B.A.T.
INTERNATIONAL, Joe has always abstained from voting his large block of
shares at all annual stockholders meetings since 1992. The shareholders truly
decide who run the company and all important company business issues.
Incidentally, all major issues suggested by Joe at the shareholder's meetings
were unanimously passed. Joe has also taken chances personally for B.A.T.
All of the research and development projects within B.A.T. have progressed
steadily, even in the early days when B.A.T. was low on funds. Joe always
found the money to continue Research and Development on all fronts even if it
meant borrowing the money personally. Joe says, "The Research and
Development facility at B.A.T. is the most exciting place to be in the world, the
only limits are your own imagination."
In conclusion, let us again summarize Joe LaStella "The Man". He is hated by
some, loved by others and admired by many for his brazen attitude. He
certainly is not a saint.
Mr. LaStella emphatically states that no matter what the press prints or how
things can be twisted by third parties, his # 1 devotion is to the environment
and his # 2 prime directive is to his stockholders (NO MATTER WHAT).
If you are an investor in B.A.T. be prepared for a downright battle into the 2lst
century as B.A.T. expands. B.A.T. may call on its supporters including its
stockholders to take an active political role. If you are ready to defend the
environment, stay aboard. If you are an onlooker, maybe you made the wrong
investment.
Please come see your investment at the B.A.T. OPEN HOUSE on April 18,
l998.
See press release dated March 11 1998.
baat.com
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