AFAM published “Green and Clean” series interviews with Julien Artur de la Villarmois ( Cl 218), R&D engineer at Airthium and Guénaël Prince ( Cl 201), co-founder and CEO of Waga Energy.  

We continue our journey exploring environmental careers in the United States and in France.  

Our next interviewee is Raphael Zaccardi (Cl 182), who is building a CEC project (Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat)  

AFAM: Hello Raphael and thank you for agreeing to answer my questions.

First of all, you spent 36 years at Caterpillar Inc, in France, Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Germany and the US. Please tell us a few words about your long career at Caterpillar and how come you focus today on Regenerative Economy?  

Raphael: Well, difficult to summarize such an extensive and diverse experience with a world leader in construction and energy solutions. I did grow within the group by acquisition of knowledge and experiences but mailing by getting in charge of projects of scope, growing over the years. A project could be the redesign of a new assembly line, conceiving it with the best engineering teams, and more importantly, executing the transformation and making it come true, being in charge of the outcome afterwards – this was a very important learning for me all along. Similarly, when I was in charge of a manufacturing plant abroad, I had to lead, engage and get results according to my commitment.

The second very important Ingredient to my career was international experience – in Managing Director positions of small to medium size units - accepting to relocate with my family and living the company from a different angle, business perspective but most importantly different culture and mindset – getting to learn on the ground how decisions are made in Germany or Italy for example.

I did end up my career as Managing Director of the France Subsidiary and during this period I did voluntarily engage into the very first session of the CEC program, and I am now part of the team to deploy it more largely.

AFAM: you are developing a CEC project (Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat) for the French Alps region and the region of Lyon. Our readers can learn more about this project as I will give a link below. But please explain in a few words what is the goal of this project and what stage are you at right now? What is so unique about CEC?

Raphael:  CEC is an NGO organization, focused at accompany and coach business leaders towards the transition to come – we help them getting ready to design and then execute (!) the strategical road map 2030 for their organization – we start with climate issues, including planetary resources extinction, impact of bio-diversity, innovation, social and workforce talent changes, well you get it – it is a full company road map to get them well equipped.

The unique recipe stands in the design of the program – we put 200 leaders together and they work on their own business while learning as one team on the concepts and challenges. They grow their knowledge as a person, as a business team and as a full collective group.

AFAM: Arts et Metiers is one of the partners of the CEC. Could you please tell us what is its role in the project? Are there any other French engineering or business schools/ alumni associations partnering with CEC?  

Raphael: Indeed, Arts et Metiers has made the decision this year to partner with CEC and launch a specifically focus version of it – CEC INDUSTRIES.

This one will be nation-wide, gathering leaders of the industries ready to work together as individually of this road map for future.
We do expect A&M to bring the majority of candidates, while the session is public and open to all engineering school – we are teamed with the Delegation des Grandes Ecoles and we do expect a good resonance.

AFAM: What is your role in CEC project?

Raphael: I do act as a Project lead and sponsor for this CEC Industries program – I do indeed have multiple hats – I can witness of the experience having been through a similar one in person, I am now part of the CEC NGO team and organize various programs, and I am part of the Soce A&M bureau with role of “delegue aux formations” – my dream is coming true, Soce has been working on a new identity, published earlier this year – Leaders des Industries Responsables – and this is a very good connection to all of it.

AFAM: Any climate and nature positive startups/companies in the US or in France you are following or/and have been impressed by recently? Why?  

Raphael: Some industrial companies have gone through the program – I do think at Rossignol, sportswear’s and accessories manufacturers – they have to work on their transition as we all know that snow will no more exist at medium altitude over the future, so a real need to redesign their own business model, engaging with partners from region, government, suppliers and customers.

AFAM: you have been working in the US for several years and also studying at Stanford. How did your experience in the United States influence your career and life?    

Raphael: As mentioned earlier, a great experience for me and my family, living abroad, learning from different perspective – US experience was even more important for me as I could be part of the headquarters ambiance and better understand the big picture.

We did have fun with Christine, my wife and US is the country where Jules was born and got his USA citizenship!

AFAM: Any future plans you’d like to share with us?

Raphael: Deploying outside of France, starting with French common language first, Suisse and Belgium, but pretty soon whole Europe.

Personally, enjoying live with a lot of outdoor sports activities.

AFAM: Thank you for your time, Raphael, and have a wonderful day!  

Raphael:  Thanks for the opportunity

About CEC project: cec-impact.org

OTHER INTERVIEWS in "Green and Clean" series:

Interview with Julien Artur de la Villarmois (Cl 218)

Interview with Guénaël Prince (Cl 201)