Richard Altman
Rich Altman currently serves as Executive Director Emeritus of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative
(CAAFI). Rich co-founded CAAFI in 2006 with Airline, Manufacturer, Airport and FAA Sponsors. He served CAAFI as
Executive Director from its formation through Nov, 2012. In 2013 Rich was identified as a co-lead of the
CAAFI/USDA team implementing U.S. State initiatives under the “Farm to Fly 2.0” agreement between USDA, DOT,
now DOE and CAAFI sponsors signed by the Secretaries of Agriculture, Transportation and CAAFI’s private sector
sponsors with emphasis on East Coast U.S. programs. Under CAAFI and USDA state leadership over 20 U.S. States
are engaged with CAAFI in the Development and Deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels. “Farm to Fly 2.0” now
encompasses relationships with ground transport (diesel), Defense Department, and co-product end users
consistent with State, agricultural, industrial, and environmental stakeholders’ end user interests.
In addition to his F2F2 interests Rich has focused on forming and facilitating implementation U.S. sustainable
bilateral agreements with Germany and Australia and in executing communication and outreach efforts for
Aviation worldwide. For its efforts CAAFI and Rich have received Air Transport World's Joseph S. Murphy Award
for Industry Service in 2010, the Washington Airports Task Force (WATF) 2011 Williams Trophy for contributions
"enriching the quality of life on earth", From 2010 to 2015 Rich was voted among the top 100 most important
people in Biofuels worldwide by the readers of Biofuels Digest. Prior to co-founding and being named Executive
Director of CAAFI Rich had a 39 year career with United Technologies’ Pratt and Whitney. At P&W he held a
variety of Technical and Business Development roles in Advanced Engine Business Development including
leadership of marketing its landmark Green Engine Program, which, in part led to the development of P&W’s
ultra-quiet and fuel efficient Geared Turbofan product line.
Hugh Bradlow
Hugh S. Bradlow is Chief Scientist at Telstra Corporation in which capacity he acts as advisor to the CEO and the
Board and other parts of the business on longer term technology directions and technology disruption. Prior to
becoming Chief Scientist he was Chief Technology Officer and Head of Innovation, responsible for investigating the
future technologies that will impact Telstra’s business. Before joining Telstra in September 1995, Professor
Bradlow was Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Wollongong in Australia and Professor of
Electrical Engineering (Digital Systems) at the University of Cape Town.
Professor Bradlow is a graduate in electrical engineering from the University of Cape Town in 1973 and received
the D.Phil. degree for research in experimental nuclear physics from the University of Oxford. He is a Fellow of and
on the Board of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, an Emeritus Professor of the
University of Wollongong, a Professorial Fellow of the University of Melbourne, and a recipient of a Centenary
Medal from the Commonwealth of Australia. He was elected as the joint 2009 Australian Telecommunications
Ambassador of the Year. He was listed in the 2010 and 2011 Global Telecom Business Power 100 rankings and was
named by Smart Company as one of the 12 most influential people in Australian ICT.
Paul Bryan
Paul Bryan is a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at UC – Berkeley and a Consultant in Renewable and
Conventional Fuels & Chemicals. From 2010 – 2011, he served as Program Manager for Biomass (now “BETO” –
the Bio-Energy Technology Office) at the U.S. Department of Energy, and he continues to work actively with that
group. Prior to his time at the DOE, he worked for 15 years for Chevron in Australia and California, the last 4 of
which as Vice President – Biofuels Technology. Earlier positions included stints with Union Carbide in West
Virginia, and teaching positions at MIT and the Colorado School of Mines.
Paul has been active in a variety of professional organizations, including the Separations Division of the AIChE,
The National Academy’s Chemical Sciences Roundtable, The Gordon Research Conferences, The North American
Membrane Society, The Gas Processors Association, and the “Vision 2020 for the U.S. Chemical Industry” Project.
His educational background is in Chemical Engineering, with a B.S. from Penn State, a Ph.D. from the University of
California – Berkeley, and post-doctoral work at the École des Mines – Paris.
Dr Bruce Godfrey
Bruce Godfrey’s career has been built in business, innovation investment, government and technology
development fields. His current role is as CEO of Australian Scientific Instruments Pty Ltd, an Australian National
University-owned instruments manufacturing company.
He has focused on the advancement and commercialisation of technologies (particularly new energy technologies
ranging from solar cells to fuel cells to low emission coal utilisation), investment readiness of products and
companies, and innovation policy and programs. He has been on a number of funding-agency committees
including as Chair of ARENA’s Advisory Panel until mid 2014. He is Chair of ATSE’s Energy Forum.
Tony Haymet
Tony Haymet is a distinguished scientist, educator, policy advisor and business development leader. Since 2006
he has been Distinguished Professor at Scripps Oceanography, and is now Emeritus Director and Vice-Chancellor
having led the Institution for 6 years. Haymet is co-owner of, and senior advisor to, MRV Systems LLC, which
manufactures ocean robots. He is a Visiting Fellow at the US Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Haymet
is also co-founder and former Chair of CleanTech San Diego, a 501c6 business organization promoting and
supporting clean technology businesses, now with over 100 members.
Tony Haymet was born and educated in Sydney, and gained a PhD at the University of Chicago. Prior to his
appointment at Scripps, he was Chief of Marine and Atmospheric Research, with 5 laboratories around Australia,
and then Science and Policy Director, for CSIRO. From 1991-98 he held the Established Chair of Theoretical
Chemistry at the University of Sydney.
Robert Hill AC
Robert Hill is an Adjunct Professor in Sustainability. Robert was a member of the Australian Senate from 1981 to
2006, representing South Australia. He was educated at the University of Adelaide and the London School of
Economics, where he gained a masters degree in law. Hill was Leader of the Government in the Senate from
March 1996 until his resignation in January 2006. He was Minister for the Environment 1996-98, Minister for the
Environment and Heritage 1998-2001 and Minister for Defence from November 2001 to January 2006.
In July 2005 the Coalition parties took control of the Senate and Hill became the first Government Leader in the
Senate since 1981 to command a majority in the chamber. In January 2006 he announced his resignation from the
Parliament. Hill was Australian Ambassador to the United Nations for Australia from 2006 - 2009. In July 2009, Hill
was appointed by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as Chairman of the Australian Carbon Trust and in June 2012, he was
awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia.
Amy Kean
Amy Kean is Australia's first Renewable Energy Advocate, a new position established to support the NSW
Renewable Energy Action Plan. She has been appointed to work closely with NSW communities and industry to
facilitate the development and generation of renewable energy as NSW revolutionises its approach to welcoming
new investors and accelerating ways of utilising emerging energy sources. Amy is the public face of the State
Government's extensive plans to actively promote the exciting opportunities available in renewable energy.
Amy has worked for over 15 years in the clean energy industry across government, industry associations and
business. She has a deep understanding of policy, finance and the challenges of deploying technology.
Throughout her career she has established the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) in
the region, has renewable energy industry experience and international climate change policy development and
has established a business unit within Australia’s largest marketing services company delivering sustainability
programs.
Jim Lane
Jim Lane, from Florida USA, is editor & publisher of The Digest, the world’s most widely-read bioeconomy daily,
serving 1.5 million unique readers in 198 countries. He is also CEO of Ascension Publishing and host of The New
Voices on BioChannel.TV. Jim Founded and financed Ascension in 2001 to produce newsletters, websites,
conferences, trade shows, filmed content, and data on renewable energy, biotech and sustainability.
Ascension publishes the most-widely read online media on the bioeconomy and lately has branched into original
series for download - serving 1.4 million unique online readers, 48K newsletter subscribers and 25K social media
followers, and a community of 60+ sponsors and advertisers. Previously, Jim was in group publisher, publisher and
line management roles with media companies. As a journalist, he has authored 10 books to date and a zillion
articles.
Hugo Llorens
Ambassador Hugo Llorens was the Assistant Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan from May
2012 to June 2013. In that position, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of the largest Embassy in the world
with a combined staff of 3,000 U.S. local and Third Country employees representing 19 U.S. government agencies.
Previous to his assignment in Afghanistan, Llorens was Ambassador-in-Residence and a faculty advisor at the
National War College in Fort McNair, Washington DC. Llorens served as U.S. Ambassador to Honduras from
September 2008 to July 2011. Prior to his nomination and confirmation as Ambassador, he served for two years
as the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the American Embassy in Madrid, where he took up his duties on
September 1, 2006. Ambassador Llorens was also Deputy Chief of Mission at the American Embassy in Buenos
Aires, Argentina, where he served for three years from August 2003 until July 2006. From 2002-2003, Mr. Llorens
was Director of Andean Affairs at the NSC, where he was the principal advisor to the President and National
Security Advisor on issues pertaining to Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. Prior to the NSC, he
served for three years as Principal Officer at the Consulate General in Vancouver, Canada. In Vancouver, he
created a novel multi-agency “Law Enforcement Hub” that included the opening of FBI, ATF, U.S. Customs, Secret
Service, and Regional Security offices to work with Canadian counterparts on counterterrorism and international
crime investigations.
From 1997-1999, Mr. Llorens was Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Policy in the Bureau of InterAmerican Affairs where he helped launch the FTAA negotiations in 1998. As a 30-year veteran, he has served in
economic, commercial, and consular positions in Tegucigalpa, La Paz, Asunción, San Salvador, and Manila. Mr.
Llorens received his Master of Science in National Security Studies, National War College in 1997; Master of Arts in
Economics, University of Kent at Canterbury, England in 1980; and Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from
Georgetown University in 1977. Mr. Llorens has earned numerous awards for distinguished performance,
including eight Superior Honor and five Meritorious Honor Awards. He is a past recipient of the Cobb Award for
excellence in the promotion of U.S. business, was runner-up for the Saltzman Award for distinguished
performance in advancing U.S. international economic interests, and was nominated for the James Baker Award
for superior performance by a Deputy Chief of Mission. He speaks Spanish, Tagalog, and some French. He is
married to Lisett Aparicio Llorens, and they have two sons, Andrew 26 and Dirk 24.
Scott Nargar
Scott Nargar worked for NRMA Motoring & Services for 10 years, starting as a Vehicle Inspector before moving into
the role as Motoring Writer while judging for Australia’s Best Cars Awards. Scott also worked as a Member of the
Technical Working Group with the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Scott Finished his career
with NRMA as the Manager of NRMA Member Motoring looking after the legal and technical contact teams ,
technical research & advocacy programs, vehicle evaluation and motoring writing teams and the Automotive
Research Library.
For the last 5 years Scott has been working for Hyundai Motor Company Australia starting as the National Technical
Manager for a year before moving into the role of Product Planning Manager looking after the Hyundai passenger
vehicle fleet. Over the last 7 years while working for the NRMA and Hyundai Scott has been researching and
studying the development of Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles and the development and investment of global Hydrogen
infrastructure projects. Scott has spent the last 3 years leading the way with Federal and State Government
engagement to encourage our nation’s leaders to look at the future of the clean renewable road transport
technology and ways to protected Australia’s fuel securities while exploring opportunities to create engineering and
manufacturing jobs for the infrastructure that will be required in the coming years. Scott is passionate about road
safety and the future of renewable transport technology.
Susan Pond AM
Susan Pond is an Adjunct Professor in Sustainability. Susan has led the Alternative Transport Fuels Initiative at
the United States Studies Centre since her appointment in 2010 to the Dow Sustainability Program. Before
joining the US Studies Centre, Susan held senior leadership roles in Johnson & Johnson in Sydney for twelve
years, as Director of Pharmaceutical Research and then Chairman & Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson
Research Pty Limited. An experienced company director, Susan also currently serves on the Boards of the
Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) as Vice-President, Innovation Australia and Biotron
Limited.
Previously, Susan held the positions of non-executive director of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation, the Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology and Commercialisation Australia, and
Chairman of the Clean Technology Innovation Program, AusBiotech Limited and the Australian Drug Evaluation
Committee. Susan was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the community in medicine, and
awarded Doctor of Medicine honoris causa by the University of Queensland and the Centenary Medal for
services to Australia. In 2013, she was named as one of the Australian Financial Review and Westpac Top 100
Women of Influence and in 2011-2014 as one of the Biofuels Digest Top 100 People in Bioenergy worldwide.
Margaret Sewell
Margaret Sewell has been the Head of the Energy Division since March 2015. Prior to that she led the Taskforce
which produced the Australian Government’s Energy White Paper.
Before moving to the Taskforce in November 2013 she was the Head of the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency
Division in the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, administering policy and programs to accelerate
the development and deployment of emerging energy technologies. This included low emissions coal and carbon
capture and storage, emissions abatement from coal mines and industrial scale energy efficiency and working
closely with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency in developing policy in the renewable sector. The Division
also coordinated the Department’s involvement in a range of bilateral and multilateral trade and technology
forums in the resources and energy sectors.
Prior to the establishment of ARENA, Margaret was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Centre for
Renewable Energy, in the Department and was responsible for the Government’s Solar Flagships and CCS
Flagships program. She has previously been the General Manager of the Low Emissions Coal and CO2 Storage
Branch in the Department and the Taxation and Projects Branch, looking after mine safety, minerals and
petroleum taxation and the cement industry. She has also worked in Invest Australia, with responsibility for
promoting investment opportunities in the Australian mining, energy, infrastructure and agribusiness sectors.
Joelle Simonpietri
Joelle Simonpietri is an Operational Manager for U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Resources Directorate,
Innovation and Experimentation Division (J81) Energy team. At PACOM, she focuses on managing long-range
strategy development and innovation projects for military energy needs, with a particular focus on demand
reduction and renewable energy replacement. She co-leads the Green Initiative for Fuels Transition (GIFTPAC)
biofuels supply chain program with the U.S. Navy, leads a Joint Deployable Waste to Energy (JDW2E) initiative,
and is a Program Manager for improvements to U.S. defense operational and logistics planning processes.
Prior to joining PACOM J81 in October 2009, she headed an independent consulting and incubation company
focused on developing innovative new clean energy concepts, was a partner at Kolohala Ventures, a Honolulu
venture capital firm, and a member of the Hawaii Angels investor group. Prior to that, she was a “plankowner”
for a $250 million corporate venture fund for Waste Management Inc, a Fortune 200 company, where she
developed the company’s energy investment strategy and led its first biofuels development project. She started
her career as a U.S. naval officer in the Asia-Pacific region with tours in Korea, Singapore, and Hawaii. Ms.
Simonpietri earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Neurobiology from Duke University and a Master’s in
Business Administration degree in private equity and renewable energy from the Tuck School of Business at
Dartmouth.