Edward J. Fred

Most recently, he served as the CFO and interim CEO of Taronis Fuels, Inc., and was the CEO & President of Origo Acquisition Corp., an investment vehicle designed to bring a privately-held company to the public marketplace. He graduated from Dowling College in 1980 with a BBA in Accounting, and went to work in the accounting department of Borden, Inc., a Fortune 50 food conglomerate. After leaving Borden, he spent two and a half years with Sterling Drug, before going to work for Grumman Aerospace Corporation.

Ed spent ten years working for Grumman’s international division where he attained the level of controller, making him the youngest financial executive in the company’s 60-year history. He opted to leave after the company was acquired by the Northrop Corporation in 1994. He joined CPI in early 1995, and worked his way up the ranks, holding the titles of Controller, Secretary, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and CEO & President along the way.

In June of 2005, Ed was recognized as the Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur Of The Year” in the Manufacturing category for the New York Metro region, and again in 2009 was named a national finalist for this award. During 2004, Ed was named the Long Island Association’s “Entrepreneurial Advocate” and the Hauppauge Industrial Association named CPI its “Small Business of the Year.” Ed was a member of the American Stock Exchange’s and NYSE’s Listed Company Council which advised the exchanges on the needs of smaller listed companies. He has also had the privilege and honor of ringing the opening or closing bell for the exchanges on four different occasions.

Ed received his Master’s degree from Hofstra University in May of 2002, when he graduated with honors from the University’s inaugural Executive MBA program, and in November of 2004, he was honored by his undergraduate alma mater, Dowling College, as its 2004 “Alumnus of the Year.”