*** More Speakers Will Be Announced Very Soon ***
Confirmed Speakers
Prof. Jon Van Gerpen, Ph.D
Professor and Department Head of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Idaho
Jon Van Gerpen has been a Professor and the Department Head of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Idaho since July 2004. Before that, he was a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University for 20 years. He received his B.S. (1978) and M.S. (1980) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State and his Ph.D. (1984) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During a 14 month sabbatical, he worked on the design team at John Deere that developed a 12.5 liter engine. Dr. Van Gerpen has been researching the production and utilization of biodiesel for the past 17 years and his current projects include the design and construction of a biodiesel pilot plant and the development of a nation-wide biodiesel education program. He has published numerous technical papers on biodiesel production from low-cost and novel feedstocks.
Jon Van Gerpen has been a Professor and the Department Head of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Idaho since July 2004. Before that, he was a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University for 20 years. He received his B.S. (1978) and M.S. (1980) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State and his Ph.D. (1984) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During a 14 month sabbatical, he worked on the design team at John Deere that developed a 12.5 liter engine. Dr. Van Gerpen has been researching the production and utilization of biodiesel for the past 17 years and his current projects include the design and construction of a biodiesel pilot plant and the development of a nation-wide biodiesel education program. He has published numerous technical papers on biodiesel production from low-cost and novel feedstocks.
Don Scott
Director of Sustainability, National Biodiesel Board
Don Scott serves as Director of Sustainability for the National Biodiesel Board. Don's program areas build science and awareness to ensure that biodiesel production meets today's needs for environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and quality of life, without compromising future generations' ability to meet these needs for themselves. Don is a licensed Professional Engineer with a civil engineering degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Prior to joining the National Biodiesel Board, Don was an environmental engineer for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. His work there focused on protecting clean, plentiful drinking water. Don joined the NBB team to help the biodiesel industry grow as a sustainable alternative to traditional transportation fuels.
Don Scott serves as Director of Sustainability for the National Biodiesel Board. Don's program areas build science and awareness to ensure that biodiesel production meets today's needs for environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and quality of life, without compromising future generations' ability to meet these needs for themselves. Don is a licensed Professional Engineer with a civil engineering degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Prior to joining the National Biodiesel Board, Don was an environmental engineer for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. His work there focused on protecting clean, plentiful drinking water. Don joined the NBB team to help the biodiesel industry grow as a sustainable alternative to traditional transportation fuels.
Dr. Virginia Gordon, Ph.D
Founder of SafeTest, Bonanza Labs
Biodiesel Industry pioneer and leader Dr. Virginia Gordon— the founder of SafeTest, the standard reference for all rapid biodiesel testing methodologies— has authored/co-authored more than 100 articles in her career and holds 10 patents.
Biodiesel Industry pioneer and leader Dr. Virginia Gordon— the founder of SafeTest, the standard reference for all rapid biodiesel testing methodologies— has authored/co-authored more than 100 articles in her career and holds 10 patents.
Jeff Fetkenhour
Owner, Gorge Analytical LLC
Prior to founding Gorge Analytical, LLC, Mr. Fetkenhour served as the Analytical Department Manager for the Southwest Research Institute at the Umatilla Chemical Demilitarization Facility (UMCDF). Jeff also served as manager for Radian International on contract to Raytheon Missile Systems to establish start-up operations for Total Chemical Management. He successfully realized an unexpected startup within three (3) months for a just-in-time delivery operation with over one million dollars of environmentally sensitive inventory. Jeff combines technical expertise with forward-thinking leadership and management to accelerate the continuous improvement required in a new, fastgrowing industry. Jeff participates in a number of industry technical workgroups and has given presentations on quality at area conferences.
Prior to founding Gorge Analytical, LLC, Mr. Fetkenhour served as the Analytical Department Manager for the Southwest Research Institute at the Umatilla Chemical Demilitarization Facility (UMCDF). Jeff also served as manager for Radian International on contract to Raytheon Missile Systems to establish start-up operations for Total Chemical Management. He successfully realized an unexpected startup within three (3) months for a just-in-time delivery operation with over one million dollars of environmentally sensitive inventory. Jeff combines technical expertise with forward-thinking leadership and management to accelerate the continuous improvement required in a new, fastgrowing industry. Jeff participates in a number of industry technical workgroups and has given presentations on quality at area conferences.
Graydon Blair
Owner & Operator, Utah Biodiesel Supply
Utah Biodiesel Supply is an industry leader in offering innovative ways to empower our customers to produce Biodiesel. The business is operated by Graydon Blair, an avid Biodiesel enthusiast. Graydon became interested in Biodiesel in late 2003 and has actively participated in brewing Biodiesel, participating in Biodiesel organizations, and has worked with local government groups to encourage the use of Biodiesel as a viable alternative fuel in Utah.
Utah Biodiesel Supply is an industry leader in offering innovative ways to empower our customers to produce Biodiesel. The business is operated by Graydon Blair, an avid Biodiesel enthusiast. Graydon became interested in Biodiesel in late 2003 and has actively participated in brewing Biodiesel, participating in Biodiesel organizations, and has worked with local government groups to encourage the use of Biodiesel as a viable alternative fuel in Utah.
Todd Hill
Chairman and Managing Principal, Promethean Biofuels
Todd Hill is an internationally recognized expert within the renewable energy and biotechnology fields with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of cooperative and corporate management, public policy, international business, technology and start-up development.
Todd Hill is an internationally recognized expert within the renewable energy and biotechnology fields with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of cooperative and corporate management, public policy, international business, technology and start-up development.
Dara Lor
National Cooking Oil Recyclers Ass. & Summit Gresecycling
SummitGreasecycling was the first grease collection service in the Rocky Mountains, serving over 200 restaurants by collecting used grease and turning it into sustainable biodegradable products.
SummitGreasecycling was the first grease collection service in the Rocky Mountains, serving over 200 restaurants by collecting used grease and turning it into sustainable biodegradable products.
Atul Deshman
CEO /President, Whole Energy
Atul has previously helped to launch two clean transportation and energy companies. Atul spent the last 15 years as a business planner, engineer, manager, and executive in the Alternative Fuels Industry and is thereby one of the most experienced and accomplished executives in our industry. Atul spent nearly eight years with Ford Motor Company and has worked in senior positions to grow several early stage companies which are industry leaders in their sectors.
Atul has previously helped to launch two clean transportation and energy companies. Atul spent the last 15 years as a business planner, engineer, manager, and executive in the Alternative Fuels Industry and is thereby one of the most experienced and accomplished executives in our industry. Atul spent nearly eight years with Ford Motor Company and has worked in senior positions to grow several early stage companies which are industry leaders in their sectors.
Jonathan E. Meuser, Ph.D (Algae, Light & Gas Instruments)
Jason Burroughs (DieselGreen Fuels)
Rod Yawn (ALX Enterprises, LLC)
Norm McFarling (Nebraska BioPro)
Jeff Rola (GO Bio Co)
Brian Roberts (Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op)
