Meet our team

Owe Hagesæther
CEO
owe.hagesaether[a]gceocean.no
+47 908 75 888
LinkedIn

Owe joined GCE Ocean Technology in March 2014. He has a Masters in Computer Science and an MBA in Strategic Leadership from NHH, and has more than 30 years of experience from senior positions, technology development, international business development and various board positions. He is also co-founder of three companies. In addition to leading GCE Ocean Technology, Owe works extensively to form national and international alliances, make collaboration agreements with key players, and represents the cluster in key national and global arenas.

Anne-Grethe Solbakk
Chief Financial Officer
anne-grethe.solbakk[a]gceocean.no
+47 476 55 188
LinkedIn

Anne-Grethe joined GCE Ocean Technology in September 2013. She has extensive experience from several industries in finance, events and communications. In addition to being responsible for finances, she is also responsible for our profile and organises all our major stands in various national and global arenas.

Kai Stoltz
Business Development Manager
kai.stoltz[a]gceocean.no
+47 930 16 772
LinkedIn

Kai joined GCE Ocean Technology in February 2018. He has over 24 years of experience in subsea and renewable energy from companies such as TechnipFMC, Sway and Reef / Technocean Subsea. Kai is among other things responsible for our entrepreneurship and business development programmes and is in close contact with the cluster's partners and members on a daily basis.

Karianne Kojen Andersen
Innovation Manager
karianne.kojen.andersen[a]gceocean.no
+47 936 66 116
LinkedIn

Karianne joined GCE Ocean Technology in July 2019. She has a Master's degree in European Studies from NTNU and the Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, and has extensive experience from working with EU funding and EU policy in both Brussels and Norway. Karianne comes from a position in Diku (Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education), and has also recently worked with Horizon 2020 as an EU advisor in Innovation Norway. She works to mobilise for increased cooperation and participation in EU projects in the cluster.

Jon O. Hellevang
R&D Manager
jon.hellevang[a]gceocean.no
+47 988 48 828
LinkedIn

Jon Oddvar has been involved in GCE Ocean Technology in a 50 percent position since 2007. He is otherwise employed by NORCE and has previously worked at TechnipFMC (formerly FMC Technologies) in Kongsberg. He has a Master in Physical Electronics, Photonics from NTNU, and more than 15 years of experience from research, development and innovation in the intersection between industry and applied research. Jon assists our partners and members with project development. The focus is on establishing partnerships, identifying funding opportunities and preparing applications for relevant funding schemes. Jon develops and holds annual courses for the cluster within project development.

Thea Båtevik
Innovation Consultant
thea.baatevik[a]gceocean.no
+47 926 33 348
LinkedIn

Thea joined GCE Ocean Technology february 2023. She has a Master’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Bergen, and has experience in project management, events and communication from her previous work in Fjordane Friluftsråd and the Passion for Ocean festival in Bergen and Florø. Thea’s responsibilities includes organizing seminars and conferences in areas of enabling technologies and the transition towards renewable offshore energy, as well supporting the cluster’s work with all members, including start-up companies.

Berit Haver Lie
Event and Office Manager
berit.haver.lie[a]gceocean.no
+47 934 31 661
LinkedIn

Berit joined GCE Ocean Technology in September 2018. She has experience from insurance, finance and accounting work and is responsible for accounting and the daily operations of the office. Berit is also the contact person for our members concerning questions and information about membership and for assisting with organising all of our 40+ yearly events.

Bjarte Fagerås
Senior R&D Advisor
bjarte.fageras[a]gceocean.no
+47 906 26 401
LinkedIn

Bjarte joined GCE Ocean Technology in January 2021. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics and Mathematics from NTNU and has broad experience from research and management positions in Norway, Germany and the USA from companies like Schlumberger, Alcatel Space, PGS, Aker Geo, ION Geophysical, Exploration Resources and Technocean. Being an entrepreneur by heart, he has founded, grown and exited several companies and most recently he was the CEO of OCTIO AS and Gravitude AS. Today, besides being an investor and board member, he is a Mentor and Advisor for management teams. Bjarte has been working closely with the cluster for several years and most recently as a Mentor in the growth programme; Ocean Tech Scaling Program offered by GCE Ocean Technology, Handelshøyskolen BI and MIT.

Kjersti Boge Christensen
Communication Manager
kjersti.boge.christensen[a]gceocean.no
+47 976 27 570
LinkedIn

Kjersti joined GCE Ocean Technology in January 2015. She has a BBA from the University of San Francisco and has extensive experience from administration, event and communication work within the media- and energy industry. Kjersti is responsible for the marketing and communication of the cluster. She is also secretary of the board.