ALTERNATIVE FUELS & CHEMICALS COALITION - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Founder & CEO, Manus Bio

Dr. Parayil is an entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in technological innovation and commercialization. He invented Manus Bio's core technology platform at MIT and co-founded Manus Bio in 2011. Dr. Parayil has more than 60 U.S. & international patents issued and/or filed and co-authored more than 50 publications in the area of biotechnology and chemical biology. He currently serves as the founder & CEO at Manus Bio Inc. and co-founder of Mirakel Technologies Inc. His research interests lie in engineering chemistry using biology for biomanufacturing of natural products.

Job Titles:

• Co - Founder
• Executive Director
• Managing Director

CJ Evans is the executive director and co-founder of AFCC. Mr. Evans also serves as the managing director of a consulting firm that he formed 15 years ago, American Diversified Energy (ADE), http://www.americandiversified.energy/. Mr. Evans has built ADE into an effective, well-respected firm with a team of 25+ subject matter experts and a roster of partner companies, such as Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, with expertise in a wide range of biotech fields. The ADE team includes corporate executives, technology developers, engineers from a variety of disciplines, entrepreneurs, financing specialists, marketing experts, strategic planners, publication specialists, project managers, and former senior-level administrators of federal government agencies. Mr. Evans has over 40 years of experience in the public policy, technology development, project finance, and grant making arenas, working on conservation, agriculture, renewable energy, and advanced fossil fuel issues. He has been at the leading edge of the renewable energy and advanced fossil fuels industries since 2005, helping innovators and companies commercialize new technologies and secure financing. Mr. Evans has helped clients obtain close to $1 billion from government grants, loan guarantees and project financing. Several projects in which he has been involved were the first commercial deployments of new technologies. Mr. Evans is a successful (registered) U.S. Congressional lobbyist whose accomplishments include working single-handedly as well as with a group of 20 company CEOs and lawyers to restore $40 billion in loan authority for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Title 17 Loan Guarantee Program in 2018 after the program was eliminated by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Appropriation Committee in their fiscal year 2018 appropriation bills. Mr. Evans has been involved in the approval of local policies and bond issues that provide incentives to private landowners to maintain productive farmland and endangered species habitats, along with model programs to develop "created wetlands" for waste water treatment in lieu of typical wastewater treatment facilities, which have had the added benefits of becoming bird sanctuaries, havens for wildlife, and major tourist attractions for the counties in which they are located. At the state level, Mr. Evans has been involved in crafting grant programs to attract clean energy projects to the state and land use policies that allow all landowners in an area to benefit from the economic returns generated by development, without creating winners and losers, while using development as the engine to protect high priority habitats and natural areas. At the federal level, Mr. Evans has been involved in the legislation that created national recreation trails, allowed abandoned railways to be converted to trails (rails-to-trails), strengthened specialty crop programs, created conservation and energy title programs in the Farm Bill, and established grant and loan guarantee programs at USDA and DOE that support the bioeconomy.

Job Titles:

• Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Brightmark LLC

Dan Cummings is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Brightmark LLC, a leading company that is transforming organic waste into renewable natural gas and creating innovative approaches to plastic renewal. Dan has over 25 years of experience in the renewable energy and clean tech sectors. His work has included building and leading organizations in senior leadership roles with companies like INEOS Bio, BP, zuChem, POET-DSM, and Sevana BioEnergy.

Job Titles:

• CEO, Northwest Advanced Bio - Fuels

Mr. David Smoot has an extensive business background covering almost 45 years. His business career started after an honorable discharge from the US Army Reserves. He then spent 20 years in the micro-computer hardware and software industries in Operations and numerous other senior positions. He then founded the nation's first "software-only" leasing company which financed transactions involving Fortune 100 companies. Mr. Smoot then retired to Arizona. After that, he started a real estate infrastructure development company, he turned his sights to renewable energy which morphed into renewable fuels. He started Hawaii Renewable Fuels, LLC in 2014 and Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels, Inc. in 2016-17. Mr. Smoot has created a model not seen in this industry to date: a turnkey solution to developing Bio-mass-to-Fuel that is 100% guaranteed with world-class partners, second-generation and proven technologies, fixed "cradle to grave" feed stock, operating and sale of fuel costs, operated by a world-class O&M, all under the umbrella of world-class EPC Wrap. Mr. Smoot was twice named a regional finalist to Ernst & Young's and Inc. magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year award. He served on the boards of five well-known charities and is still active in the Prostate-On-Site-Project, POP, which annually does the Legends Golf Tournament held at the Biltmore, with Jerry Colangelo asChairman of the event.

Job Titles:

• Applications Technical Director, Cargill BioIndustrial
• Director of Industrial Applications Technology for Cargill 's BioIndustrial

​Dr. Brent Aufdembrink is the Director of Industrial Applications Technology for Cargill's BioIndustrial business. In this role, he aligns R&D with business commercial direction; manages intellectual property; provides strategic input for new business development; builds global R&D teams, and integrates technology across global regions. There is a special focus on agriculture-based industrial biobased products from renewable chemicals.

Job Titles:

• Director of Regulatory Affairs at Zymergen
• Senior Director, Zymergen

Dr. Esther J. Yu is Director of Regulatory Affairs at Zymergen, a technology company that combines machine learning and high through-put laboratory methods to deliver molecules for novel materials and solutions. Dr. Yu has a diverse regulatory background, including expertise in agribusiness, biofuels, chemicals, foods and personal care, which is critical in supporting Zymergen's activities across multiple industries. Previously, Dr. Yu worked as an Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs at several start-up companies, helping them obtain US and international authorizations and approvals for commercial product launch. She began her professional career as a research scientist at a biotechnology start-up, which sparked her interest and continuing passion in working with innovative companies. Dr. Yu has authored numerous publications in scientific journals for her research and regulatory affairs work. She obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Cambridge University and her B.A. in Biology from Johns Hopkins University.

Job Titles:

• Head
• Senior Vice President
• SVP & Head of Group Biotechnology, Clariant

Dr. Ling Hua, Senior Vice President and Head of Group Biotechnology, is responsible for R&D and commercialization of bioproducts at Clariant. Dr. Hua has more than 20 years' experience in biotechnology arena, including biofuels, industrial enzymes, biomaterials and probiotics. And, has global experience, worked with companies in US, China and Europe. She was Harold Jeskey Professor at Southern Methodist University in the field of biocatalysis and biotransformation. Prior to joining Clariant, Dr. Hua spent more than 10 years at DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences in various functions. She has a MS degree in Medicinal Chemistry from Southern Methodist University and a Ph.D. in Bioorganic Chemistry from Rice University. She authored more than 40 research papers, book chapters, and she is the inventor of several dozens of issued patents. Currently, she is also a Board member of SusChem (European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry).

Job Titles:

• Vice President, Research and Development in 2019. She Joined Calysta in 2013 As Vice President, Biological Engineering
• VP, Calysta

Previously, Dr. Giver was with Codexis, Inc., where she held a number of positions including Vice President of Systems Biology, Senior Director of Technology and Innovation, and Manager of Market Development. Prior to Codexis she was head of the Core Technology Group at Maxgyen, Inc. Dr. Giver has focused her career on the directed evolution of nucleic acids, proteins and organisms. She has chaired a wide variety of conferences in the field including Enzyme Engineering XXI and Applications for Enzyme Technologies 2013. She is an author on numerous scientific publications and over 50 patents and patent applications. Dr. Giver received a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California-Berkeley and Ph.D. in Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology from Indiana University, Bloomington. Dr. Giver did her post-doctoral research at the California Institute of Technology in the laboratory of Dr. Frances Arnold, winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Job Titles:

• President
• Chairman / President, BleuJaune Advisors

Dr. Paul Zorner is President, BleuJaune Advisors where he works with several organizations to improve agricultural productivity and the economic health of rural communities. He is an executive and innovator with 40+ years of international experience in science, R&D, operations and administration, holding leadership positions at multiple agricultural organizations including Mycogen Corporation, Dow Chemical, BASF, Diversa Corporation and Locus Agricultural Solutions. Dr. Zorner is also Adjunct Professor of Horticulture at North Carolina State University, Associate Editor of the journal Industrial Biotechnology and serves on the Boards of several commercial and 501(c)(3) organizations.

Job Titles:

• Executive Vice President
• Executive Vice President, Policy

Dr. Rina Singh serves as Executive Vice President at AFCC. In this role, Dr. Singh manages and directs AFCC's public policy and advocacy development, educational initiatives, provides regulatory and legislative solutions to companies having leadership in technologies such as feedstock development and/or crop fertilizer booster production, synthesizing renewable chemicals for food ingredients additives, food substances, flavors, fragrances, cosmetic/personal care products, biomatierals/bioplastics, biofuels for both aviation and ground transportation, microbial conversion technology developers, and biobased product producers. Appointed in 2019, Dr. Singh is serving a three-year term on the ASTM International Board of Directors. Prior to joining AFCC, Dr. Singh was the Managing Director at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) in the Industrial and Environmental Section (IES), where she led renewable chemicals (commodity and specialty) and biobased products, synthetic biology for pharmaceutical intermediates, biofuels, and other downstream applications. Dr. Singh is well recognized for successfully defining renewable chemicals in the 2014 Farm Bill, which is also incorporated in the 2018 Farm Bill, and opening up standalone renewable chemical facilities to USDA's loan guarantee program, and her work in introducing renewable chemicals in pending tax legislation such as Master Limited Partnership (MLP), and production / investment tax credit (PTC/ITC) which continues to be used as template for the enactment of state renewable chemicals tax legislation. Before her work with BIO, Dr. Singh had been with Ashland Inc., working in general management positions in technology and business development, including renewable chemicals and biobased products business development and platform technology manager. She was appointed to a team to develop a new strategic direction for Ashland in their divestiture of $1.5 billion petroleum refining business. Before Ashland, Dr. Singh was at Dow Chemical, Central Research, where she started her career as senior research chemist in the engineering thermoplastics group. She holds number of patents and has written several technical publications. Dr. Singh earned her B.Sc. in honors chemistry and her doctorate in natural products (synthetic organic chemistry) from McGill University, where she also completed a post-doctoral degree in polymer science.

Job Titles:

• Professor at Southern Methodist University

Job Titles:

• CEO, Modular Genetics
• Co - Founder of Modular Genetics

Dr. Kevin Jarrell is a co-founder of Modular Genetics and is a recognized expert in RNA splicing and gene assembly. In his academic career at Harvard University, Boston University, and Ohio State University, his research resulted in numerous publications and contributed significantly to the current understanding of how living organisms manipulate their genetic information. Of specific interest are the limitations associated with the current genetic engineering tools available to the scientist as well as the emergence of high-throughput technologies aimed at increasing the size and diversity of genetic libraries under study through the use of automation and efficient design.

Job Titles:

• Project Finance, Velocys

Mr. Andrew Miller is an energy finance professional with strategic advisory, capital formation, and financial structuring expertise. From start-up through IPO and sale, including project development, commercial contract negotiation, and risk management strategies. Industry experience across upstream, midstream, downstream, energy technology, and renewables. Currently, Mr. Miller is developing first of its kind woody biomass-to-liquid bio-refinery. He is known for founding and selling Pinto Energy, a gas-to-liquid project developer, principal structured investor in international E&P companies, and has led highly successful oil & gas capital markets team.

Job Titles:

• President, BioFiber Solutions

BioFiber Solutions International (BFSI) was founded by Mr. Bert Herring with the vision that all companies could have a next-generation environmentally friendly product that would help companies and people alike achieve zero-waste.

Job Titles:

• President & General Counsel, Virent
• President for Virent, Inc

Mr. Dave Kettner serves as the President for Virent, Inc., a renewable fuels and chemicals company working to commercialize its BioForming technology for the conversion of biomass based feedstocks to drop-in renewable fuels and chemicals. Mr. Kettner previously served as Virent's VP of Legal and Business Operations and has been responsible for managing its legal affairs since joining the company in early 2007. Mr. Kettner is a licensed patent attorney with extensive years of experience in intellectual property management and other legal matters, including patent prosecution, licensing, enforcement, and strategic planning. Before joining Virent, Mr. Kettner served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and was as an attorney in private practice. Mr. Kettner holds a JD in Law and BS in Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Minnesota.

Job Titles:

• Vice President of Marketing, Samsill

Mr. Drew Bowers is a brand savvy hands-on leader with over 15 years of demonstrated accomplishments in full range of marketing disciplines with focus on product ideation and development, strategic planning, and brand management. Background includes work in wide range of product segments including consumer electronics, toys, school and office supplies, and promotional products.

Job Titles:

• CEO, Itaconix Corporation
• Co - Founder of Itaconix Corporation

Mr. John Shaw is a co-founder of Itaconix Corporation, is an experienced corporate leader and inventor, with 35 years of growing technology businesses. Mr. Shaw is very well recognized in turning technology innovations and ideas into successful new products and businesses, particularly around new materials or process improvements. Strong business skills in technology assessment, venture development, equity funding, new product launches, growth management, and strategic partnerships.

Job Titles:

• General Counsel

Mr. Mark Riedy serves as the General Counsel for AFCC. He is the co-founder of AFCC and a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, LLP. Mr. Riedy primarily focuses his practice on U.S. and international project development and finance and private placement representation of renewable and conventional energy, clean technology, environmental and infrastructure clients. His clients principally represent developers, lenders, EPCs, O&Ms, equipment providers, private equity, venture capital and infrastructure funds.

Job Titles:

• SVP, Live Oak Bank

Mr. Max Vernier leads the Bioenergy Lending team in the Energy & Infrastructure division at Live Oak Bank. The team is dedicated to financing renewable energy and circular economy projects by strategically deploying debt capital. Target markets within the broader group include: utility-scale and community solar, battery storage, wind energy, hydroelectric, waste-to-energy, anaerobic digestion, landfill gas, wastewater treatment, agricultural sustainability, organic fertilizer, biorefinery, bio-based product manufacturing, and other recycling and waste-to-value technologies. Over the last six years, the Energy & Infrastructure team has funded over $1.5B in project finance. Live Oak Bank is the largest SBA lender in the U.S. by volume of originations, and has won the USDA's Rural Development Lender of the Year award for 2018, 2019, and 2021. The company specializes in small business lending and advisory in niche industries across the U.S. Mr. Vernier joined Live Oak in 2013 after graduating from Washington and Lee University with a B.A., double majoring in Economics and Spanish. Max has spent time at the bank in various roles including business advisor, credit analyst, loan officer, and currently leads a team to originate lending opportunities and develop strategic relationships within the renewable energy and biofuel industries. In addition to his Board seat with AFCC, Max also currently serves as a Board member of the American Biogas Council.

Job Titles:

• Chief Technology Officer
• VICE CHAIR / CTO, Danimer Scientific

As chief technology officer, Mr. Phil Van Trump manages research & development, product development, regulatory affairs, and intellectual property for Danimer Scientific. Prior to this role, which he stepped into in 2014, Mr. Van Trump worked in a variety of positions within the company, performing bench-scale to pilot-level research as well as playing an integral role in the procurement of equipment and laboratory personnel to advance the company's objectives. His undergraduate background in molecular biology and microbiology (BSc University of Central Florida) is supplemented by an MBA from Emory University. In addition to his education, he brought to Danimer Scientific over a decade of industry experience. Mr. Van Trump's proficiency in management and scientific insight are a rare combination and are put to use daily as he leads an innovative team of scientists and support personnel in creation of sustainable biopolymer solutions.

Job Titles:

• Managing Director
• CEO, Greeley Green Energy
• Investment Banker

Mr. Richard J. Nordin, CFA, Managing Director, has over 25 years of experience in project development and private equity capital markets, with extensive experience living and working in the emerging markets of Russia and Eastern Europe. Mr. Nordin is an Investment Banker registered with Chatsworth Securities LLC, with a deep focus on emerging technologies in the clean-tech, renewables, and infrastructure spaces. He serves as Plasma Development's Managing Director and will manage the capital campaign, sourcing of key staff, facility development logistics, and development of key sales and service functions. Mr. Nordin's previous positions include Managing Partner of Lone Star Ventures, a Moscow based property developer, in which role he raised and deployed nearly $1 Billion in equity and debt capital for over 10 million square feet of industrial developments in Russia and Kazakhstan.

Job Titles:

• CEO & President, Red Rock Biofuels
• Co - Founder and CEO of Red Rock Biofuels

Mr. Terry Kulesa, is the co-founder and CEO of Red Rock Biofuels. Mr. Kulesa handles business development, team management and construction and operations. His previous experience included the design, construction and operation of five ethanol plants totaling over $500 million of construction and over $500 million of annual revenues. Mr. Kulesa has over 20 years' experience in managing biofuel operations. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Ag-Biosciences (Dairy Manufacturing) from South Dakota State University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.

Job Titles:

• Corporate Executive
• President / Fritz Consulting LLC

Ms. Carolyn Fritz has over 25 years of corporate executive leadership and service on boards, and is a seasoned board member and CEO. Ms. Fritz has board of director experience in the US and internationally, has been President/CEO of four companies spanning synthetic biology, food technology, industrial and ag biotechnology industries and has extensive experience in business formation, fund raising, M&A, corporate development and global operations. Ms. Fritz is currently Chairman of the Board of DMC Biotechnologies and a Director of Cellucomp Ltd. She is also on the Board and the Nominating & Governance Committee of Athena San Diego. She was previously on the boards of Allylix Inc, Innovase and BIO.

Professor Ramani Narayan was named MSU University Distinguished Professor in 2007, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a faculty member by the university; Governor's (State of Michigan) University Award for commercialization excellence; Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Award for biofoams technology, 2011; University Distinguished Faculty Award, 2006, Withrow Distinguished Scholar award 2005; Fulbright Distinguished Lectureship Chair in Science & Technology Management & Commercialization (University of Lisbon, Portugal); DuPont's Packaging Award for excellence in Innovation & Sustainability, 2010 as part of the Coca Cola Plant bottle team.

Job Titles:

• CEO & President, Red Rock Biofuels