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Featured Speakers from USCC 2010
Watch for 2011 Speakers coming soon!
Paul Sellew
Paul is the CEO of Harvest Power, a technology and project development company dedicated to harnessing the renewable energy in organic waste. Paul has been a leader in the organics industry for more than 25 years. In 1982, he founded Earthgro, Inc., which grew to be the second largest producer of compost-based lawn and garden products in North America. He also founded International Process Systems, Allgro, & Environmental Credit Corp. Paul will present “A Vision for Organic Waste Management.” In the plenary session.
Carrie Walsh
Carrie Walsh is the Director of Marketing on the SunChips brand at Frito Lay, NA. She is responsible for building the strategy, and managing the consumer communication and customer programming, for the brand’s sustainability initiatives. Carrie received her MBA from the Wharton School of Business and a B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Brown University. Carrie will present “SunChips and the World's First Compostable Chip Bag - The Art and Science of Spreading the Composting Message to the Mass Market.”
Kathy Kellogg Johnson
Kathryn Kellogg Johnson is Vice President of Environmental and Community Relations of Kellogg Garden Products, Carson, CA. Kellogg is a family owned compost manufacturing and marketing firm, selling compost across North America. Kellogg supplies over 3,500 retail locations with a variety of quality garden products. Kathy will present, ’Getting to ROI. Assessing which Activities and Markets are Profitable and Sustainable’
Joel Levin
As the Climate Action Reserve’s Vice President of Business Development, Joel Levin is responsible for strategic development of the Reserve as the recognized environmental standard for carbon offset projects in the United States. Joel is a member of the Sierra Club’s National Global Warming and Energy Committee. He holds an M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley and an M.A. in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University Joel will present 'New Revenue Opportunities from Carbon Credits with the Climate Action Reserve.'
Chuck Wilson
Chuck is CEO of A-1 Organics, based in Eaton, CO. The company produces compost from a variety of organic residual feedstocks and are members of the USCC’s STA Program. He will present, ‘Growing a Company in a Recession, Tough Decision Making, Difficult Financial Atmosphere, Favorable Business Model, Spells Success. Chuck Wilson, A-1 Organics, CO’
Sally Brown, Ph.D.
Dr. Brown is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington. Her research has focused on using residuals to reduce metal availability and restore ecosystem function in drastically contaminated soils. She is also working in partnership with local farmers to set up a biodiesel industry which integrates municipal biosolids into the biodiesel production process. She will present, ‘Quantifying Benefits of Compost Use’
Scott Subler, Ph.D.
Dr. Subler holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Ecology from the Pennsylvania State University and is co-founder and President of Environmental Credit Corp, a leading supplier of environmental credits from agriculture and organic waste management to global financial markets. He will present, ‘Status of Energy and Climate Legislation Impacts on Composting, Anaerobic Digestion and The Food Recovery Hierarchy’
Nora Goldstein
Nora Goldstein is Executive Editor of BioCycle, Journal of Composting, Organics Recycling & Renewable Energy. She joined the family business in 1978, founded by her father Jerome Goldstein in 1960. Nora will present, ‘The Critical Role That Composting and Compost Utilization Play in a Sustainable Community’s Infrastructure’
Goeffrey Kuter, Ph.D.
Dr. Kuter has been active in the composting field for more than twenty five years. He has served as President of Agresource, Inc., a Massachusetts based regional waste management company that operates composting facilities handling municipal biosolids, leaf and yard wastes and food residuals. Dr. Kuter has published numerous papers covering a range of topics. He will present, ‘Use of Compost in Manufactured Soil for Wetland Restoration and Storm Water Management’
Michele Young
Michele is the Environmental Services Director with the City of San Jose, CA. She has extensive experience with the development of backyard composting programs, organics diversion and zero waste planning. Michele will present ‘Partnership to Implement Conversion Technology’
Jeff Gage
Jeff Gage, Compost Design Services, Olympia, WA, is considered one of the Northwest’s top composting experts. Jeff combines years of practical experience in operating compost systems with extensive scientific expertise focused on the improvement, development, and advancement of the practice of composting. He consults with compost operations to improve the many variables that may contribute to their total odor impact. Jeff will present, “Site Operations Planning for Odor Prevention and Treatment.
Melvin S. Finstein, Ph.D.
Dr. Finstein is a Professor Emeritus from Rutgers University and a Principal in American Digestion. He is responsible for development of the “Rutgers Aerated Static Pile Method” of composting as well as publishing hundreds of scientific articles during his career. Melvin will present ‘Comparative Suitability of Anaerobic Digestion Methods for Treating Solid Waste.’.
Holly Elmore
Passionate and driven, Holly Elmore is the Founder and Executive Director of the Green Foodservice Alliance (GFA), an Affiliate of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA).
Holly will present “Zero Waste Zones: Mobilizing an Industry to Make a Difference.”
Eliot Epstein, Ph.D.
Dr. Epstein is the President of Epstein Environmental Consultants. As an internationally recognized expert in the field of organic waste material utilization, Dr. Epstein has directed numerous waste management projects for government and industry, including the development of the Aerated Static Pile Compost System, otherwise known as “The Beltsville Process”, for the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Epstein has authored over 150 papers related to composting and biosolids utilization issues as well as the book, The Science of Composting, published in 1997. He will present ‘Management of Odors through Design and Operations.’
Douglas Satre
Doug Satre is the Director of Outreach for Plant With Purpose, and oversees their corporate and governmental partnership and communication efforts. Plant With Purpose works with over 100,000 poor farmers, in 7 countries, focusing on regions where poverty and deforestation have led to a downward spiral of environmental degradation and despair. Plant With Purpose transforms and empowers local communities by teaching sustainable agriculture and soil conservation techniques, and provides small business opportunities to improve local economies. They have planted over 5 million trees, made 8,000 small business loans and constructed over 6,000 compost piles, as part of this effort. Doug will be the Keynote speaker at the Awards Luncheon on Jan. 26, and will present, ‘Soil Saving Lives: Composting and International Agricultural Development ‘
Luc A. De Baere
Luc is the general manager of Organic Waste Systems. O.W.S. commercializes the Dranco technology on a worldwide scale, together with laboratory testing and consulting in the field of the determination of the biodegradability of consumer products. He is the author and co-author of about 40 scientific publications in the field of anaerobic digestion and biodegradability measurements. He will present, ‘Anaerobic Digestion: State of the Art’
M. P. Ozores-Hampton. Ph.D.
Dr. Ozores Hampton has an extended and notable career in horticulture and soil sciences, most distinguished in the area of compost production and uses. She is currently Research Associate at the University of Florida/IFAS and the president of Ozores-Hampton & Associates, Inc. where she is developing and evaluating various compost management techniques. She will present, ‘Compost: The Connection to GHG and Global Warming’
Robert Rynk, Ph.D.
Dr. Rynk is an environmental and agricultural engineer, specializing in composting and waste management. He is the editor of the “On-Farm Composting Handbook” and formerly technical editor for BioCycle magazine. He currently teaches at SUNY, Cobleskill. He will present, ‘Development of a Mobile Pelletizing System for Grass Fuel Pellets’
Britt Faucette, Ph.D.
Dr. Faucette is an Ecologist and the Director of Research and Development for Filtrexx International. His Ph.D. research was in compost systems and industry standard BMPs used in erosion control and storm water management applications. He has worked as a state Compost/Pollution Prevention Specialist in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. He will present, ’Large Scale Performance and Design for Construction Activity Erosion Control Best Management Practices’
Chris Choate
Chris is Vice President of Sustainability for Recology. Chris has 29 years of experience in the solid waste industry. Chris is responsible for the research and development of programs which create unique and sustainable systems. He will co-present, ‘Upgrading Food & Yard Waste Composting Technology, Permitting and Facility Upgrades Required for 110,000 Ton/Year Facility Located in Central California’ with Tim O'neil of Engineered Compost Systems, WA
Fatih Buyuksonmez, Ph.D.
Dr. Büyüksönmez is an Associate Professor at San Diego State University. His current research includes; emission from composting facilities, use of compost for surface runoff water treatment and fate and degradation of contaminants during the composting process. He is the recipient of the 2006 Rufus Chaney Award for Research Excellence. He will present, ‘Use of Thermography in Emission Sampling’ with, Z Gu, S. Riseh, and L. Yang
Jan Allen
Jan is Chief Technologist for Harvest Power. He specializes in biofuels, organic waste recycling, environmental engineering, construction management, solid waste management, bulk material handling, microbiological systems and odor control facilities. He holds four U.S Patents related to composting and biofiltration and will present, ‘Dry Fermentation for Multifamily and Commercial Organics Diversion.’
Nellie J. Brown
Nellie J. Brown, MS, CIH, is the Director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs for Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She serves on a Cornell University Project Work Team on Composting and Land Application of Sewage Sludge. She will present ‘Conducting Job Hazard Analysis for Composting Facilities, Including Some Considerations for Diversity and for Persons with Disabilities.’
Craig Coker
Craig is the Principal at Coker Composting and Consulting. They provide engineering and environmental support to composting facilities in planning, permitting, design, construction, and operations and in compost marketing and sales. He has an extensive background and experience in composting facility development and operation. He will present, ‘Evaluation of Slow Speed Shredders for Bulking Agent’
Jean Bonhatal
Jean has worked at the Cornell University Waste Management Institute in solid waste education for over 20 years. She has been working on composting feedstock from food to manure to animal carcasses for the last 10 years. Currently her time is split between manure and carcass & butcher waste composting education and research. She will present, ‘The Role of Composting in Natural Disasters’
G. M. Savage
George Savage is Executive Vice President of CalRecovery, Inc., and is a registered professional engineer. He has been involved in various aspects of solid waste management for over 30 years, including biological processing of organic waste materials and management of odor from biological processing facilities. He will present, ’Integration of Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Systems’
Steve Mojo
Steve is the Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), which represents the leading manufacturers and users of biodegradable plastics in the US and Canada. He has been instrumental in the BPI’s labeling efforts as well as in the harmonization of biodegradability and compostability standards in Europe, Asia and North America. Steve will present, ‘The BPI/USCC Compostable Logo: 10 Years and Growing’
Todd Williams
Todd is a Principal Technologist with CH2M HILL. He has a 28 year career in environmental engineering with experience and specific emphasis in the biosolids and organics management field, and has been involved with over 50 compost facilities nationwide. He will present, ‘Spotsylvania County’s New Improved Composting Facility’
Ron Alexander
Ron is the President of R. Alexander Associates, Inc., a company specializing in market development and research for organic recycled products. Mr. Alexander is a horticulturalist with over 24 years of experience working with compost. He has also authored the ‘Field Guide to Compost Use’, and more recently, ‘The Practical Guide to Compost Marketing and Sales’. He will present, ‘Fertilizer and Soil Amendment Regulation Can Impact Compost Sales’ and ‘Characterizing Compost and Anaerobic Digester Products’
David M. Hill
David is the principal in CycleLogic Environmental Marketing and Consultation. He has more than 16 successful years in compost marketing and management experience, with an emphasis on product management, market development and value-added positioning in the solid waste management and resource recovery industries. He will present, ‘Cutting Edge Findings Regarding Incorporation of Biochar with Compost’
Nadeem A. Afghan
Nadeem is President and CEO of BIOFerm Energy Systems, a technology provider for anaerobic digestion systems. He has extensive experience in development of renewable energy projects. His fifteen years of management experience allowed for growth of financially successful markets. He received his Bachelor of Science degree and Master in Electrical Engineering from San Diego State University. He will be presenting "Energy Recovery from Organics and the Composting of Dry Fermentation Residuals"
…Plus, many, MANY other speakers reflecting an unparalleled level of composting, organics recycling, renewable energy, biomass, climate change, carbon credits & GHG industry expertise and experience!