Speakers

Ron Barmore is the Director of Project Development for Range Fuels, Inc. In this role he leads the company’s efforts in the siting, development and permitting of new projects and the sourcing of feedstock materials. In addition to his project development responsibilities, Mr. Barmore represents the company in a number of organizations and advocacy groups that are focused on the renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly development of the advanced biofuels industry. Mr. Barmore has spent the majority of his career developing projects in the alternative energy field, primarily in the waste-to-energy industry (municipal solid waste to power). Most recently he spent six years as the senior executive in charge of business development efforts for Barlow Projects, Inc. His career also includes five years with ABB Resource Recovery Systems as a Regional Manager of Business Development and a number of years as an independent consultant. Ron began his career with one of the leaders in the waste to energy industry, Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc., a pioneer in the alternative energy field. Mr. Barmore graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelors of Business Administration and a major in Accounting.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Daniel A. Barry, PE, Senior Project Manager and Project Engineer, Chemrec North America Inc.

Mr. Barry is a senior project manager and project engineer, with Chemrec North America Inc. He was responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction and startup of the world’s first commercial black liquor gasifier at a pulp mill in North Carolina in 1996. The renewable energy gasification plant processes 300 tons per day of biomass, producing a fuel gas for the mill’s pulping process. Mr. Barry has since worked extensively with mill operations and maintenance personnel on numerous projects to improve the gasification plant’s availability, optimize its performance, increase its efficiency and minimize maintenance costs.Prior to his work with black liquor gasification, Mr. Barry was a project engineer and mechanical engineer for Gotaverken Energy Systems (subsequently Kvaerner Pulping, subsequently Metso Power) on numerous renewable energy projects, delivering turnkey chemical recovery boilers and wood fired power boilers to pulp mills in the United States and Canada. Mr. Barry holds Professional Engineering licenses in Texas and North Carolina, has an engineering degree from The Pennsylvania State University, and currently lives in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Anders Berggren, CEO Marmon Retail, Berkshire Hathaway

Anders Berggren joined the Berkshire Hathaway Inc. family in 2008, and he is currently acting President of the Marmon MRS Sector, a multi-national business with 13 corporations in a global portfolio with holdings in the US, Europe and China/Asia. Anders has previously spent most of his career with Husqvarna, and Electrolux, both Swedish affiliates. Over the years he has held several senior positions within the Husqvarna and Electrolux families, most recently as President for Husqvarna Construction Products Inc. Over his career, Mr. Berggren has also been actively involved in The Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce and was elected Chairman during 2003-2005 for the US umbrella organization SACC-USA. He earned a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering at Linköping Institute of technology in Sweden, and holds an Executive MBA and a PhD from NW University of Wyoming.

Speaker on Tuesday, April 21.

John Bradley, CEO, Fulghum Graanul LLC

John Bradley is CEO Fulghum Graanul, LLC; which is a new joint venture between Fulghum Fibers and Graanul Invest, currently the third largest pellet producer of wood pellets in Europe. They are evaluating potential sites in Georgia for a 130,000 mt per year export premium wood pellet facility. Mr. Bradley is also VP of Business Development with Fulghum Fibres. Last year they processed over 15 million tons of wood across their 31 mill system. 9 chipmills/woodyards are located in Georgia, with the largest one at PCA Valdosta processing 1.8 million tpy of pine pulpwood into pulp-grade wood chips. Mr. Bradley has an engineering degree from Ga Tech in Atlanta, and he has an MBA from the University of South Alabama. He has spent his entire 30+ year career in the pulp/paper/forest products industries. He and his family reside in Augusta, Georgia.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Marilyn Brown, Professor of Energy Policy, School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Brown is a Professor of Energy Policy in the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Visiting Distinguished Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Her research has focused on the impacts of policies and programs aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of sustainable energy technologies. She has led several energy technology and policy scenario studies and is a national leader in the analysis and interpretation of energy futures in the United States. In this capacity, she has been an expert witness in hearings before Committees of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U. S. Senate. Dr Brown has more than 200 publications and she recently completed a research portfolio review for the U.S. Climate Change Technology Program, an influential report for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and a study for the Brookings Institution. In 2007, she was designated a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Currently she is working on an “Integrated Analysis of the Cost and Availability of Supply- and Demand-Side Electricity Resources in the Southeast” funded by the Energy and Turner Foundations.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Barry M. Buxton, Ph.D., Vice president for institutional advancement, Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta

Barry M. Buxton, Ph.D., SCAD-Atlanta vice president for institutional advancement, is responsible for major gift solicitation and foundation relations. He also serves as executive liaison to the SCAD-Atlanta Board of Visitors. Dr. Buxton joined SCAD’s senior leadership in 2000 as vice president for institutional advancement. Under his direction, SCAD’s fundraising efforts have achieved record levels. Prior to moving to Savannah, he worked in Houston with former President and First Lady, George and Barbara Bush, to fund and build the Museum of Health and Medical Science where he served as museum president. A Lovill Fellow at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, he received his Ph.D. from Teachers College of the University.

Speaker on Sunday, April 19.

Peter Domini, Business Developer, Stena Metall

Mr. Domini lives on the Swedish west coast and works there as a business developer for Stena Metall, the Nordic region’s largest recycling company. Stena Metall has more than 250 subsidiaries in 12 countries. In 1991, Mr. Domini started Sweden’s first company for electronic recycling, a company which since then has grown to become the largest electronic scrap recycler in Europe. Mr. Domini has also developed Deposit Free Industry, a system for industrial waste which has gained success and received awards. Mr. Domini is a member of the steering board for www.symbiocity.org, he is a pro bono consultant for The Clinton Climate Initiative and he is a lecturer on sustainable consumption and production. In his spare time, Mr. Domini likes to take his family out in their sailing boat.

Speaker on Wednesday, April 22.

Susannne Edstrom, Project Coordinator, Smart Textile

The Smart Textiles initiative derives from a design driven approach at the Swedish School of Textiles. Through the VINNOVA Vinnväxt programme Smart Textiles is structuring a triple helix approach of the R&D of the future textile business. Smart Textiles is a new and prioritized research area in the region of West Sweden. We focus on creating and establishing a total environment for development of the new radical textile products, materials and processes. To combine the basic and also playful experimental research with the companydriven needs driven research is the success factors in the Smart Textiles initiative. The mission is to create international competitiveness of the Swedish textile business and to stimulate growth in the West Sweden region.Susanne Edstrom, MBA in international business and with a background in several regional educational projects, is working as programme coordinator and facilitator for the Smart Textiles initiative. Her main drives are to create networks and stimulate synergies between the triple helix actors in the system.

Speaker on The Industrial Design - Global Innovation Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Victor Ermoli, Dean of the School of Design, Savannah College of Art and Design

Victor Ermoli has more than 17 years of industrial design experience and has been featured in Business Report’s "40 under 40" and ID magazine’s "40 Best Designers Under 30." Ermoli joined SCAD in January 1998 as chair of the industrial design department and was named dean of the School of Design in 2005. Under his leadership, SCAD became the first design college in the United States to plan and build a working, street-legal prototype car, the EXO Spyder, which was unveiled in 1999. He also led the industrial design department to create a sports boat, "The Stinger," winner of an International Composites Design Competition award. In 2001, he received a U.S. patent for a design for a new line of Venetian blinds. Mr. Ermoli holds a B.S. from Ohio State University and a M. Env. Des. from the University of Calgary.

Speaker on The Industrial Design - Global Innovation Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Douglas L. Faulkner, President and Co-Founder of Chrysalis Energy Partners and Former Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy

Douglas L. Faulkner is President and Co-Founder of Chrysalis Energy Partners, a consulting firm dedicated to the growth of global green energy markets. Mr. Faulkner served the George W. Bush Administration in a number of high-level positions at both the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy, including Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development and the Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Mr. Faulkner has been at the center of the federal government’s efforts for over a decade to promote green energy. He played a key role in the passage and implementation of the landmark energy title in the 2008 Farm Bill and launched seminal initiatives in bioenergy and solar power. Mr. Faulkner received a B.A. in Asian Studies from the University of Illinois and a M.A. from The Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, where he is also now a visiting lecturer on renewable energy. He also attended the University of Singapore as a Rotary Scholar. He played intercollegiate basketball at home and abroad.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Jose Gamboa, Senior Designer, Kids II

Jose Gamboa is part of the industrial design team at Kids II in Atlanta, GA. Kids II is one of the world’s fastest growing toy companies, over the last 35 years the company has developed more than 70 award-winning products. Mr. Gamboa has had the opportunity to experience design as the catalyst for innovation. In 2006 Mr. Gamboa spent six months in Italy collaborating with Pagani Automobili and Modena design in the development of new products for super car brand Pagani. In 2007 he created renderings of the 1.8 million dollar Zonda R. In 2007 Mr. Gamboa also worked as a full time faculty at the Savannah College of Art and Design where he was involved in Special Project Classes. These classes were partnerships with innovation-based organizations such as Carbon Motors and the Small Grant Donations Program of the United Nations. Mr. Gamboa also created an innovative way to teach the basics on design sketching skills (Gamboa Sketch Aerobics).

Speaker on The Industrial Design - Global Innovation Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Tom Gattis, Chair, Industrial Design Program, Savannah College of Art and Design

Tom Gattis is currently Chair of the Industrial Design Program at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Mr. Gattis joined the college in 1999 and served for 7 years as Professor of Industrial Design. He launched the Marine Design minor in 2003 and serves as the coordinator of the program. Mr. Gattis received a Bachelors of Industrial Design from Auburn University and a Masters of Science in Education / Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Model Building from Bemidji State University. Mr. Gattis started the industrial design program at Finlandia University in Hancock, MI where he taught for three years. Mr. Gattis’ industry experience includes work as a designer and project manager in the nuclear industry. He holds a patent for a modular workstation design used in the nuclear industry. He also worked as an account executive in the trade show and exhibition industry and was a professional model maker.

Speaker on The Industrial Design - Global Innovation Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

John W. Griffin, US Regional Director, Business Development, Ergonomidesign

John W. Griffin is the US Regional Director of Business Development at Ergonomidesign, a position he has held since 2008. He stablished Ergonomidesign’s first US office in Boston in 2008. The current focus is on increasing Ergonomidesign’s US Client base and the long term objective is to expand the Boston office into a full service design center. Mr. Griffin has previously been with Procter and Gamble/Gillette Co., Boston, MA where he first held the postion as Senior Techincal Leader. He later became Director of Product Design and Development and in that position he directed the design, development and validation of major new products for Gilette’s five billion dollar blade and razor business. Mr. Griffin holds a BSME from Worchester Polytechnic Institute.

Speaker on The Industrial Design - Global Innovation Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Hans Gulliksson, Senior Energy Advisor, Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden

Hans Gulliksson is Civil Engineer and Senior Energy Advisor at Energikontor Sydost and furthermore General Manager for the Bioenergy Group in Växjö Ltd. He has been working with energy issues for the last 30 years as contractor, both for the Swedish state and as consultant.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Jonas Hafström, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States

Ambassador Hafström arrived in Washington, DC following three years as Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand, also accredited to Laos, Cambodia and Burma /Myanmar - a position he had held since 2004. From 2000 to 2004, he was Deputy Director for Consular Affairs and Civil Law at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm. For three years (1991-1994) Ambassador Hafström served as foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Carl Bildt. Between 1987-1991 and 1994-2000, he was foreign policy advisor to Carl Bildt in his position as leader of the opposition. Ambassador Hafström joined the Foreign Service in 1979. Shortly thereafter he worked as Press Secretary to the Minister of Justice 1979-1981. He also served as a member of the Swedish Defense Committee 1998-99. Ambassador Hafström is a Non-Commissioned Reserve Captain of the Swedish Army and served as Aide D’Camp to the Swedish Commanding Officer in the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations in the Middle East in 1977. He received the “Jonas Weiss Memorial Award” in 2005 and The Seraphim Medal from His Majesty the King in 2008 "for meritorious contributions during the tsunami catastrophe in Southeast Asia"

Speaker on Tuesday, April 21.

Ervan Hancock, Manager of Renewable and Green Strategies, Georgia Power

Ervan Hancock is Manager of Renewable and Green Strategies for Georgia Power. He is responsible for the direction of the company’s green energy programs, energy efficiency strategies, corporate sustainability and renewable research programs. Mr. Hancock has previously worked as a Management Consultant for KPMG consulting firm. In 2002, he served as a Project Manager with Southern Company Services where he led efforts on numerous technology projects. Mr. Hancock was later named Manager of Renewable Generation for Southern Company Generation and assistant to the Executive Vice President, Supply Technologies, Renewables, and Demand Side Planning. In 2008 Mr. Hancock was named the Manager of Renewable and Green Strategies for Georgia Power. Mr. Hancock has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He is a graduate of Southern Company’s Results by Leadership Program, Information Technology’s Leadership Development Program and Southern Company’s Generation Leadership Development Program. Mr. Hancock currently serves on the Board of the Solar Electric Power Association and serves as Chair of the Utility Committee of the America Council of Renewable Energy (ACORE).

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Ross Harding, Senior Advisor, Herty Advanced Materials Development Center

Ross Harding focuses on global resource intensive industries and has specialized in industrial technology development and applications. Mr. Harding holds a BS in Chemistry from Queensland University of Technology in Australia, an MBA from the Katz school of business at the University of Pittsburgh and studies in Finance at INSEAD in France. During a 12 year career at Calgon Corporation a subsidiary of Merck, based from Asia, North America and Europe Mr. Harding built worldwide water treatment businesses. He was Executive Vice President of Acuity Specialty Chemicals (Formally National Service Industries). Mr. Harding has also served as Vice President of Business Development at the Herty Advanced Materials development Center. He furthermore founded the Georgia Biofuels Commercialization Center where he remains a Senior Advisor for Renewable Fuels business development. Mr. Harding is a founding Partner of Energy Launch Partners LLC, Verdant Resources LLC and Global Algae Systems Inc., companies engaged in renewable energy commercialization. He is a regular speaker and written contributor to technical, trade, media, legislative and board briefings on Biofuels.

Speaker both on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20 and on Wednesday April 22.

Tom Harrold, Chairman of the Edays Advisory Board and Partner, Miller & Martin

Tom Harrold is the Partner in charge of the International Practice Group with the law firm of Miller & Martin PLLC, a full-service firm with almost 200 attorneys in three cities serving clients ranging from individuals to multi-national corporations. Mr. Harrold is a recognized expert in assisting foreign and domestic companies who locate manufacturing and distribution facilities in the southeastern United States. He has been involved with many international legal transactions and through his untiring efforts to promote the State, more than 25 international companies have established offices, manufacturing and distribution centers throughout Georgia. In 1987, Mr. Harrold was one of the founders of the World Law Group, which now consists of 51 law firms in 39 countries linking more than 10,000 lawyers including the Setterwalls firm in Sweden. He has visited Sweden many times and worked with several Swedish companies.

Speaker on Sunday, April 19.

Benedikt Ibing, Director of Business Development, Berlin Atlantic Capital’s Communications Infrastructure Group.

As Director of Business Development, Mr. Ibing is responsible for acquisitions, build projects and leasing. Mr. Ibing draws on experiences ranging from commercial construction management to institutional and international fund raising. German born, Mr. Ibing received his academic training from Villanova University and Georgia State University.

Speaker on Tuesday, April 21

James F. Jacoby, Chairman and Chief Executive of The Jacoby Group

James (Jim) Jacoby is Chairman and Chief Executive of The Jacoby Group, a synergistic group of operating companies founded by Mr. Jacoby. These companies, whose common goals revolve around sustaining the environment while giving back to the community, span the spectrum from sustainable real estate development, renewable energy, education, health and the environment. An outgrowth of Jacoby Development, Inc.’s strong focus on sustainability with minimal environmental impact was the formation of Jacoby Energy Development, Inc., and its subsidiary Geoplasma, LLC. Jacoby Energy Development is focused on addressing renewable energy needs, which among other things is done through various partnerships and co operations. Mr. Jacoby is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and has served on the organization’s governmental affairs committee. His other professional affiliations include the Urban Land Institute, the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the board of directors of the University of Florida Whitney Lab, The Hawaii Health Foundation, the Savannah College of Art and Design, the Guy Harvey Marine Science Institute and the Georgia Aquarium, Inc. Mr. Jacoby is also involved in several other community and civic organizations.

Speaker on Wednesday, April 22

Joseph James, President, Agri-Tech Producers LLC

Joseph J. James is President of Agri-Tech Producers, LLC, which is commercializing innovative torrefaction technology, developed by North Carolina State University, which converts cellulosic biomass into a cost-effective fuel for electric utilities to co-fire with coal; makes superior energy pellets; and is a superior feedstock for certain cellulosic ethanol-making processes. Mr. James is a member of the Southeast Agriculture and Forestry Energy Resources Alliance (SAFER). He has been a Governor’s appointee on the South Carolina Climate, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee. Mr. James is also one of the founding members of the South Carolina Biomass Council and serves on its Executive Committee. Mr. James has had an impressive 37-year career as an economic development professional, heavily involved in technology-led development, and has commercialized USDA technology in one of his other companies. He received a BS, in Science, from Union College and has studied law and business administration at New York University.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Tom Jensen, Chair, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP

Mr. Jensen serves as Chair of Sonnenschein’s firm-wide Committee on Environmental Sustainability and leads the firm’s renewable energy and natural resources practice. He is a nationally recognized expert in natural resources, energy and environmental law and policy and has represented a wide range of clients. He has testified as an expert on natural resource matters before committees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and is a frequent speaker before legal, engineering and other professional audiences.
Formerly majority counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and a senior official in the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, Mr. Jensen’s responsibilities in public service included reform of federal water projects in California and other western states; resolution of Indian tribal treaty disputes; endangered species and habitat conservation; Grand Canyon, Everglades and Olympic National Park restoration; creation of national monuments; hydropower regulation; and Fifth Amendment takings policy.Mr. Jensen is a trustee of the William D. Ruckelshaus Institute for Environment and Natural Resources of the University of Wyoming and serves as editor of the Trends newsletter of the ABA’s Section on Environment, Energy & Resources.

Head moderator

Otis Samuel Johnson, Mayor, City of Savannah

Mayor Johnson is a Savannah native graduating from Beach High School, Armstrong-Atlantic State University and the University of Georgia. In 1960, he earned a Master of Social Work degree from Clark Atlanta University and in 1980, a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the Heller School at Brandeis University. In 2007, Mayor Johnson was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Cambridge College. He is nationally known in the field of community building and youth development and currently serves as the Chair of the National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families. He is a member of the boards of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center and MDC. Mayor Johnson was Executive Director of the Youth Futures Authority, an Annie E. Casey Foundation initiative, from 1988-1998. In 1999, he began a four year term on the Savannah Chatham Board of Education. He retired as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at Savannah State University in 2002. He was elected in November 2003 and re-elected in November 2007 to become Savannah’s 64th Mayor. Mayor Johnson is the second African-American to hold this position.

Speaker on Tuesday, April 20

Daniel LaMontagne, Manager Bioenergy, Plum Creek Timber Co

Daniel LaMontagne has been with Plum Creek Timber Company since 1998 and is currently the Manager of Bioenergy, responsible for all business development bioenergy activities across the company’s 7 million acre ownership. He has been in this position since October of 2006 when Plum Creek determined that the developing bioenergy industry offered landowners and the forest industry as a whole, a new opportunity to promote sustainable forestry and contribute to the security of our nation’s energy supplies. Prior to this position, Mr. LaMontagne has served in several different land management positions for the company, having spent time in both the Northeast and Southeast parts of the country. He has a B.S. degree in Forestry from the University of Maine and an MBA from Thomas College in Waterville, Maine.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Ernest Lane, Senior Industrial Designer, Husqvarna North American Global Design Center

Ernest Lane is a senior designer at the Husqvarna North American Global Design Center in Augusta, GA which designs everything from chainsaws, trimmers, blowers, riding tractors and walkbehind mowers, generators and much more. Husqvarna is the key brand among several others like Poulan Pro, Poulan and Weed Eater. Produced are also private label brands such as Craftsman for Sears and Ariens, currently sold at Home Depot. Since 2007 Mr. Lane is the Craftsman Brand Manager, through which he has helped reform, build, and maintain the brand language aimed at elevating Craftsman above its competition. Mr. Lane attended the fine arts program at Valdosta State University from 1996-1998. Mr. Lane later enrolled in Savannah College of Art and design where he studied Industrial Design. During his SCAD studies, Mr. Lane interned for Electrolux Home Products in their Outdoor Power Equipment division. After graduating from SCAD in August 2001 with a BFA in Industrial design he returned to Electrolux. The year 2005 Mr. Lanes division of Electrolux Home Products became Husqvarna Outdoor Products. It has since been spun off from the former sister company Electrolux to become an independent business.

Speaker on The Industrial Design - Global Innovation Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Jan Lindelow, Chairman, Vignette Corporation

Jan Lindelow is an active, independent director of several promising enterprises, primarily in the high technology industry. Mr. Lindelow joined IBM/Tivoli in June 1997 and served as Chairman and CEO of Tivoli Systems, Inc. until the spring of 2001. He then became Vice President, Emerging Business Development for IBM Corporation until leaving IBM at the end of June 2002. Prior to joining IBM/Tivoli, he was President and COO of Symbol Technologies. Before Symbol, he served in senior positions in the power transmission and industrial systems segments of Asea Brown Boveri (ABB). At Unisys/Sperry Computer Systems, Mr. Lindelow was President of Worldwide Sales and Services. He joined Sperry in his native Sweden where he subsequently became President of Sperry’s Nordic Group in 1980 before moving with his family to the US in 1982. Lindelow has an MS in engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. Mr. Lindelow serves on the board of directors of public companies Active Power, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACPW) and Vignette Corporation (Nasdaq: VIGN; chair); privately held Credant Technologies, Inc., HyPerformix, Inc. (chair) and Troux Technologies, Inc. as well as the board of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce-USA, Inc. (past chair).

Speaker on Tuesday, April 21.

Glenn Lurie, President of National Distribution, AT&T

Glenn Lurie is president of Emerging Devices and Resale for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. Mr. Lurie leads AT&T’s strategic initiative to drive innovation in bringing wireless connectivity to a host of new consumer electronics devices and applications. Mr. Lurie also led negotiations with Apple Inc. in bringing the iPhone to AT&T and continues to have responsibilities for the Apple operations. In addition, Mr. Lurie has responsibility for National Resale relationships. Mr. Lurie joined the former AT&T Wireless in 1990, and held several sales, marketing and operation positions throughout his tenure. As senior vice president-West Region, he was responsible for the market operations in ten western states, representing more than 40 percent of the company’s overall business. Prior to leading the company’s market operations in the west, Mr. Lurie held senior executive positions including Regional Vice President for the California/Hawaii region and Vice President and General Manager for Los Angeles after advancing from a similar position for Arizona.

Speaker on Wednesday, April 22.

Steven Meister, President, Big Bang

Big Bang has solved hundreds of complex and simple product development challenges for a diverse range of clients. With a background in the consulting and corporate world, Mr. Meister is well positioned to see the world through their client’s eyes. As President, Director of Marketing and Research, Mr. Meister focuses his energy on business development and client advocacy, as well as developing and directing the Discovery focused research initiatives with significant project involvement. Mr. Meister received his BS of Industrial Design from Michigan State University and worked at Xerox, GE Plastics and other design consulting firms prior to joining Big Bang. Mr. Meister has been an officer and active member of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Association of Professional Design Firms (APDF) and is currently on the President of the Georgia chapter of the Product Development Management Association (PDMA).

Speaker on The Industrial Design - Global Innovation Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Gustav Melin, President, SVEBIO

Gustav Melin is President of the Swedish Bioenergy Association since August 2008. He has been active in the Swedish Bioenergy business for more than 20 years. As Managing Director of Agrobränsle AB 1994-2006, Mr. Melin has had extensive experience in developing energy crops and especially Short Rotation Coppice Willows. The development concerned both machinery development and plant breeding as well as setting up resellers and daughter companies in the European countries. In 2006 he became “Business Area Manager of Solid Bio Fuels” and Vice president at TallOil AB, at that time the leading bioenergy company in Sweden. Mr. Melin worked as Director of the Board in the Energy supply company Mälarbränsle AB and the Swedish Bioenergy Association prior to his current employment. Mr. Melin has a MS in Agriculture from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala. At present he is also Director of the Board in the premier league soccer team of Örebro Sportsklubb.

Speaker both on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20 and on Wednesday April 22.

Robert D. Mowrey, Chair of Energy & Sustainability Practices, Alston+Bird LLP

Bob Mowrey chairs Alston+Bird LLP’s Energy and Sustainability Practices. With a focus on climate change and carbon management issues, he has advised clients on Kyoto-protocol related transactions in multiple countries as well as the strategic and policy issues concerning carbon capture and storage. As former chair of the firm’s environmental practice, he has a wealth of national experience in a full range of environmental matters. Mr. Mowrey is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, and has been identified in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a leading environmental lawyer, in which a peer described him as “a real go-getter” who “gives his all for his clients.” Mr. Mowrey is a past chair of the Environmental Section of the State Bar of Georgia, and he is an adjunct professor at the Emory University Law School. He speaks and publishes regularly on energy, climate change and other environmental issues. Mr. Mowrey earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was a member of the University of Chicago Law Review. He earned his B.A., summa cum laude, from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Morten Neraas, Senior Vice President Commercial/Finance, Green Circle Bio Energy

Morten Neraas is the Senior Vice President, Commercial and Finance for Green Circle Bio Energy. He is employee number two in the organization after the CEO and has been involved in building the business from its inception in 2006 to its successful operating phase today. Mr. Neraas is responsible for securing financing, procurement management, developing the financial management system, conducting market analysis, as well as negotiating and securing longer term contracts for the output from plant number 1. He also oversees the logistics operation. Prior to his current position, Mr. Neraas held various management positions for entrepreneurial businesses in the U.S. focusing on sales, marketing, logistics and financial issues. Mr. Neraas was born and raised in Bergen, Norway, where he also received his University degree, specializing in Business Management and Information Technology.

Speaker on Wednesday, April 22.

Martin Nyberg, Director of Business Development, Saab Aerotech

Mr. Martin Nyberg received his Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management from Linköping Institute of Technology, focusing on Supply Chain Management and Computer Science. Mr. Nyberg has worked within Saab for 6 years and held positions as a logistic consultant, project manager and business developer, in that time gained experience in logistics development and project management. in that time he has for example performed a study of the supply chain for the Gripen fighter, worked with the Swedish Armed Forces outsourcing of warehouse operations to Saab and been responsible for a logistic project team exploring the possibilities to supply UN operations in Africa. In the last 3 years Mr. Nyberg has been responsible for business development within logistic solutions. Today he is Director of Business Development at the Ground Support Services division within the business unit Saab Aerotech.

Speaker on the Logistics Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Anders Pehrsson, Professor, Vaxjo University

Dr. Anders Pehrsson is a professor of business administration at Växjö University, Sweden, and specializes in international strategy. He is primarily engaged in business consultancy and research. Dr. Pehrsson has: (a) conducted assignments regarding market studies and strategy development for several firms, (b) developed practical models for competitive strategy and market establishments, (c) produced 75 publications, and (d) contributed articles to world-leading scientific journals and written several strategy books published by for example Routledge (London and New York). Dr. Pehrsson is responsible for the research program International Industrial Competitiveness which includes researchers and doctoral students. He became full professor in business administration at Växjö University in 2000, associate professor in business administration at Stockholm University in 1994, Ph.D. in industrial marketing at Linköping Institute of Technology in 1986, and civil engineer in industrial economics at Linköping Institute of Technology in 1980.

Speaker both on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20 and on Wednesday April 22.

Doug Pennington, Executive Director, Private Capital Network

Doug Pennington’s career spans successes in banking, technology and private equity. Over 40 of the 50 largest financial institutions in the US have been his clients, along with all of the major accounting and stock brokerage firms. In 2006 Mr. Pennington founded Private Capital Network (PCN), an angel investor group specializing in early stage and startup businesses. PCN currently has ten chapters across the nation with eleven more opening in 2009. This includes the first ever angel group to establish an office in Stockholm, Sweden. Mr. Pennington has received over 16 certificates from companies like IBM, Wang Labs, Union Bank, and Xerox. Mr. Pennington currently sits on the Board of Directors of Enterpret Communications and XZO Vokda and the advisory board of Integrity Wealth Management.

Speaker on Tuesday, April 21.

Jenny Rosberg, Senior Vice President, NASDAQ OMX, Global Corporate Client Group

Jenny Rosberg is responsible for Global Corporate Client Group in Europe with close to 900 European-based listed companies on NASDAQ OMX marketplaces in Europe and the US. Her responsibility also includes new listings and capital market activities in Europe. She joined NASDAQ OMX in early 2005 as President Cash Market Sweden to develop OMX Nordic market. Prior to that Ms. Rosberg held the position as head of corporate finance and part of the executive management team for a Stockholm based stock broking firm. Ms. Rosberg has during her 20 years in business held a number of management positions within the financial sector within investment banking, business development, investment management and as CFO. She has an Executive MBA in business development and IT from Stockholm School of Economics.

Speaker on Tuesday, April 21.

Tom Rosseland, Chairman SACC – Georgia

Tom Rosseland has been a partner with Bodker, Ramsey, Andrews, Winograd & Wildstein, P.C. since 1989 and has been with the firm for a total of 20 years. He graduated from Colgate University (B.A.) in 1982 and from the University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D.) in 1986 and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1987. Mr. Rosseland is also licensed to practice law in Texas, the District of Columbia and South Carolina. His specific practice areas include advisory services to overseas businesses establishing operations in the United States business, contract drafting and negotiations, negotiation of employment and severance agreements on behalf of employees and employers, handling of trade secret disputes relating to misappropriation of confidential business information by former employees, recapitalization of distressed businesses and renegotiation of debts as well as bankruptcy issues related to those businesses, and business litigation. Mr. Rosseland represents a diverse set of individuals and publicly and privately owned corporations, including accountants, attorneys, entrepreneurs, franchisees, franchisors, manufacturers, transportation and logistics professionals, retailers and service providers. Early in his career, Mr. Rosseland served as in-house counsel for Exxon Corporation (now ExxonMobil) in Houston, Texas. Mr. Rosseland’s experience as in-house counsel for a global corporation has provided him with a unique sensitivity to the needs of business clients and their in-house counsel.

Speaker on Tuesday, April 21

David S. Sholl, Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

David Sholl is a Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA, where he holds is the Michael E. Tennenbaum Family Chair and GRA Eminent Scholar in Energy Sustainability. Professor Scholl leads an active research group performing applied research on development of new materials for energy applications including membrane-based separations for hydrogen purification and carbon dioxide mitigation and catalytic processes for large-scale production of alternative fuels for transportation. Professor Scholl is the author of over 150 peer-reviewed papers. In addition to participating in multiple federally funded research programs. He works with multiple industrial partners to accelerate the deployment of energy technologies from the realm of academic research into large-scale commercial application. More information on Professor Scholl’s research group is available from www.chbe.gatech.edu/sholl

Speaker on Wednesday, April 22.

Jim Stokes, President, Sustainable Solutions Georgia

Jim Stokes is president of Sustainable Solutions Georgia which is dedicated to having high impact through targeted projects in the areas of energy, water, land conservation and transportation. Previously, Mr. Stokes served for four years as President of the Georgia Conservancy where he, with others, founded the Pine 2 Energy (P2E) Coalition and the Coastal Georgia Land Conservation Initiative. He has served as co-chair of P2E since its inception three years ago. Prior to that, Mr. Stokes had a 33-year career at the national law firm of Alston & Bird, where he founded the firm’s environmental practice group and led the group for 20 years. In 2005, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Mr. Stokes as the sole environmental member of the Future of Forestry Joint Legislative Study Committee. He serves on the Sustainable Atlanta Advisory Committee and the Livable Communities Coalition Executive Committee and Board. Mr. Stokes was an original member and chair of the Governor’s Environmental Advisory Council, serving from 1992-2004. He has been on Georgia Trend’s list of the 100 Most Influential Georgians and the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s list of the Most Influential Atlantans.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Thorborn Tolleson, a United States Senator

Senator Thorborn “Ross” Tolleson, Jr. from the 20th District was first elected to the Senate in 2002. He represents the citizens of Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, Laurens, Pulaski and Telfair counties. He also represents part of Houston and Wilcox counties. Sen. Tolleson, a Republican, serves as the chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment committee. In addition, he serves as a member of the Rules, Appropriations and Transportation committees and is an ex officio member of the Regulated Industries Committee. Sen. Tolleson was vice president of Tolleson Supply Company for 19 years. He is a financial advisor for UBS Paine Webber in Macon, Georgia. Sen. Tolleson and Lowell Shepley, also a Perry resident, are the founding partners of the Shepley Tolleson Financial Group. Sen. Tolleson was also a founder of Crossroads Bank of Perry, Georgia which was chartered in 1986 and he served there on the Board of Directors for 12 years. Sen. Tolleson presently serves on the Board of Directors of Security Bank of Houston County. He is a member of the Perry Chamber of Commerce and was a former Director of the Chamber Board. Ross also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Westfield Schools in 2000-2001.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Jeff Van Heuklon, Senior Technical Staff Member, IBM

Jeff Van Heuklon has been with IBM for 26 years, and is a Senior Technical Staff Member. He has worked in firmware and software architecture, design and development for IBM server platforms, and in systems management. Mr. Van Heuklon currently owns the architecture and strategy for the IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager product. He is also active in other energy efficiency initiatives for IBM and in the Green Grid. Mr. Van Heuklon is frequently a speaker on IBM energy management solutions.

Speaker on The Clean Tech - Renewable Energy Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Viveka Wahlstedt, Chairman, SACC-USA

Ms. Wahlstedt possesses over 25 years experience with internationally focused, high-growth corporations throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. She has also worked as a business change management consultant and led several large corporate turnarounds and consolidation/expansions through mergers and acquisitions, as well as organic growth through startups of subsidiaries and expansion of already existing businesses. Carnegie Worldwide, Inc., which she co-founded, is a highly specialized, multinational, strategic management consulting and retained executive search firm. Ms. Wahlstedt obtained a Master of Science degree in Industrial Psychology and an additional Masters Degree in Business Administration at UCLA.

Speaker on Tuesday, April 21.

Gaylon White, Business Manager, Eastman Chemical Company

Gaylon White is Director of Design Programs for Eastman Chemical Company. Under his leadership, Eastman launched both the award-winning website for designers and brand owners, www.eastmaninnovationlab.com, March 2004, and Material Difference, a highly innovative sampling strategy. The Innovation Lab website received a gold-level 2005 Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) for digital media and interfaces. He joined Eastman in 1992 as Manager of Executive Communications and Speechwriting. Prior to that, he held a variety of communications-related positions for Hallmark Cards, Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Control Data Corporation. At Hallmark, Mr. White worked with the company’s contemporary card artists and writers, including Gordon MacKenzie, author of the book, Orbiting the Giant Hairball.

Speaker on The Industrial Design - Global Innovation Cluster Program, Monday April 20.

Eric R. Winger, President & CEO, Savannah Economic Development Authority

Eric R. Winger is the President and CEO for the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA). He is responsible for managing the development authority and its property. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Winger held various senior positions at Wachovia Bank, among them Regional Executive for Coastal Georgia and Savannah President. Mr. Winger has also been a member of the SEDA board since 1996, during which time he served as Treasurer, Vice Chair and Chairman. Mr. Winger has received many honors and awards from professional organizations and was recently inducted into the Savannah Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Winger is the longest serving member (and past chairman) of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has previously served as the chairman of the United Way of the Coastal Empire, vice chairman of the Memorial Health University Medical Center Board and in many leadership capacities with numerous, civic, art and business organizations throughout the Savannah community.

Speaker on Sunday, April 19.

Michael M. Wood, Chairman, Redwood Investments LLC and Former Ambassador of the United States to Sweden

Ambassador Wood was between June 5, 2006 and January 20, 2009 the United States Ambassador to Sweden. He is chairman of Redwood Investments LLC, an investment company specializing in media and real estate which he founded and formed in October 2005. Ambassador Wood is former CEO of Hanley Wood, LLC, an important media company in the housing and construction industry. He is a former member of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. He has also served on the NAHB Long-Range Planning Committee. On June 16, 2005, Ambassador Wood received the Media Business magazine Top Executive of the Year Award. Ambassador Wood is furthermore Honorary Director of SACC-USA.

Speaker on Tuesday April 21.

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