The biggest challenge of my job is the timing of our projects combined with the sense of urgency to move forward. We know and understand the science and we know how to integrate the required technologies and processes to obtain success. At the same time this is a unique, new, and impactful solution for bioenergy and the environment. It therefore appropriately requires regulatory and environmental impact approvals. Every state and municipality is somewhat different in the timing needed. Some require days, some months, and some years. The magic therefore lies in parallel planning and timelines for implementation.

What is the most important thing to remember to stay competitive in the biofuel industry?

The vision of what can be and its price/value relationship must always be there to provide consistent progress. Biofuel is such a huge opportunity and need, that it is not the number of competitors but rather understanding their ability to combine discovery with economic ramp up capabilities. Additionally, the half life of biological and biotech science now is months versus years, so innovation must always be a top priority for any company- and that means making sure you have the best minds with the same passion to succeed.

If you were not in the biofuel field, what other profession or career would you pursue?

There is so much to experience in life. At this point I would have fun being either a jazz pianist or a scientist teaching biology and helping guide young people’s careers.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to improve my language skills, concentrating on Spanish, French, and Mandarin. My grandmother taught me to fly-fish and I have been enjoying it for many years in a variety of locations. I just bought a kayak and am headed to the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest to break it in!

Please tell us something unique about myself.

My diversity of cultural experience can be extreme. I sit on the Board of the Foundation of Liechtenstein at the request of the royal leader of the country, whose family has ruled since the 11th century. On the other hand I spend a good deal of time with my family, consisting of our three children and extended family of 24 brothers and sisters in-law (my wife is from a Midwest family of 13 and my Colorado family had 7) who don’t hesitate to give me sensible advice. Although culturally diverse, these two families have much in common, relying on values of love, respect for others, intellectual curiosity and faith. We are all more alike than different. This keeps me both challenged and grounded.