He is a graduate of the Department of Production Engineering and Management of the Technical University of Crete (TUC) and is specialized in Operational Research.

In September 2019, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of DEPA at a crucial turning point for the company in view of the privatization process. Under his leadership, both the privatization preparatory stage and the corporate transformation in 3 distinct companies (DEPA Commercial, DEPA International Projects, DEPA Infrastructure) were successfully completed. At the same time, the renegotiation of all supply contracts was implemented, increasing, thus, the company’s competitiveness. All the aforementioned steps enabled DEPA to upgrade to an integrated energy company with competitive products, and to proceed to the implementation of critical decisions which helped key projects move forward. Today, DEPA Commercial has significant international activity through projects, such as the Eastern Mediterranean Pipeline, the IGB Interconnector, the Poseidon Pipeline Project, as well as the company’s participation in the construction of the new LNG Terminal in Alexandroupolis – all of which have showcased the strategic role of the company in the energy landscape of the wider region of Southeastern Europe and the East Mediterranean.

At the same time, Mr. Xifaras has been leading the effort to expand the company’s activities through the use of state-of-the-art smart technologies (Small Scale LNG, Remote CNG), the spread of the use of CNG as a vehicle fuel through FISIKON refueling stations network, and the promotion of natural gas as a marine fuel with innovative development programs such as Poseidon Med II, BlueHUBS and SUPERGREEN. His vision includes the company’s penetration in RES and other reliable alternative energy sources markets, such as hydrogen and biomethane.

Today, Mr. Xifaras is the Vice Chairman of the Technical Chamber of Greece, the Secretary of the Greek National Committee in the World Energy Council (WEC), as well as the Greek National Representative in the WEC. He is one of the 18 Co-Chairs of the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance and member of the Governing Board of Eurogas.

Moreover, Mr. Xifaras has extended experience as a researcher and business consultant and has been appointed in leadership positions, in both private and public sector organizations. He has served as Special Advisor to the Leadership of the Ministries of Development (2005-2006) and the Environment, Energy and Climate Change (2013). He has also held the position of Director of the Office of the Deputy Minister of Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks, responsible for the management of the implementation and funds absorption of the NSRF 2007-2013, as well as, the design of the new Programming Period 2014-2020. Later that year, he was appointed CEO of the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator, DESFA SA. Under his leadership, DESFA has demonstrated significant achievements in the fields of economic efficiency, while achieving also the implementation of a series of projects for the development and upgrade of the Natural Gas Transmission Network and the LNG facility in Revithoussa.