Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Conef SA as of 2023 Mr. Ovidiu BĂLU graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Specialization in Hydraulic Drives and Servomechanisms at the "Politehnica" University of Bucharest in 1998 as well as various courses both in the technical field and in the economic field or project management. He is co-author of a patent for "Plant for dry treatment of pitch vapor" and graduated the MBA program "Economic Development of Enterprises" - organized by the National Institute for Economic Development Bucharest (INDE) within ASE Bucharest in collaboration with CNAM Paris. Starting with 1998 when he joined the ALRO team, until taking over the position of Deputy General Manager, he held several operational positions within several departments of the Company, as well as the position of Investment Manager, from 2009 to 2024. Mr. Ovidiu BĂLU has extensive experience and training and has successfully coordinated many important investment projects, including projects co-financed by European Funds, which have contributed to the sustainable development of production capacities and the diversification of the product portfolio.