Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Jerry Caulder
Executive Chairman
Finistere Ventures
Opening Lunch Keynote
(May 24th)

 

Dr. Bryan Willson
Director
CSU Clean Energy
Supercluster
Breakfast Keynote
(May 25th)

Often referred to as the "father of agricultural biotechnology," Dr. Jerry Caulder is the executive chairman of Finistere Ventures. Dr. Caulder has an unparalleled record of success in the life science industry. His career began at Monsanto, where for 15 years he held a number of management positions including responsibility for Monsanto's early venture investment activity and worldwide responsibility for commercial development and introduction of all new agricultural products.   Dr. Bryan Willson has worked for over 25 years developing large scale solutions for global energy needs.  In addition to being a renowned Professor at Colorado State University, he is also the co-founder and Chief Technology Strategist of Solix Biofuels and Director of CSU’s Clean Energy Supercluster.  In 2009, Scientific American named him to its inaugural list of the “Scientific American 10” – ten individuals who have made significant contributions to “guiding science to serve humanity” on a global basis.

Jason R. Hall
Executive Director
Missouri Technology Corporation
Networking Reception
(May 24th)

 

Charles F. Cleland
USDA National Program Leader
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
USDA NIFA Presentation
(May 24th)

Jason joined the Nixon Administration from the St. Louis office of the international law firm Bryan Cave LLP where he had been an attorney focusing his practice on antitrust matters. During that time, Jason developed a wide range of experience representing high-technology and science-based clients, including substantial work representing the leading multi-industry licensing organizations. Jason was nominated to be the Executive Director of the Missouri Technology Corporation in April 2009 by Governor Nixon.   Charles Cleland helps to administer the SBIR program and oversee the portfolio of applied research and development projects supported by the SBIR program with special attention to the following four topic areas: 1) Forests and Related Resources; 2) Soil and Water Resources, 3) Aquaculture, and 4) Small and Mid-Size Farms. Mr. Cleland received his B.A. from Wabash College in 1961, and a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Stanford University in 1966. During his career, he authored over 30 scientific publications.

Panels

 

The Nexus of Energy & Agriculture

This panel explores the intersection of the energy and agriculture sectors in addressing the challenges we face in supplying energy at appropriate cost while managing the carbon footprint. Although a major consumer of energy, the agriculture sector holds promise for sustainable production of food, feed and renewable fuels to help manage our carbon footprint. Experts from agriculture, finance and energy companies will explore the impact of policy and technology on energy use, commodity pricing and opportunities for emerging technologies to make a difference.

Moderator

Mich Hein
Managing Partner
Nidus Investment Partners

Dr. Hein is a Managing Partner of the Nidus Partnership which is focused on developing and commercializing early stage technologies for the energy and agriculture markets. He has startup, corporate and research experience in the biotechnology industry at Heliose Corporation, Chromatin, Epicyte Pharmaceutical, Monsanto, PPG Industries, the Scripps Research Institute, and the Illinois Medical District. Dr. Hein holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in plant physiology from the University of Minnesota, and a B.S. in botany from Ohio University.
Panelists
David Fischhoff
Vice President Technology Strategy
Monsanto
Miguel Oliveira
Director Global Innovation
Bunge
Jake Tarr
Managing Director
Kinetic Ventures

 

David Fischhoff
Vice President Technology Strategy, Monsanto

Vice President Technology Strategy and Development, Monsanto Company Since 1983 Dr. Fischhoff has held multiple positions at Monsanto in biotechnology research and business development. Dr. Fischhoff invented and developed insect resistant transgenic crop plants and co-invented the “synthetic gene” technology for expression of Bt genes in plants, which was the breakthrough that made possible Monsanto’s highly successful insect resistant biotech traits. Dr. Fischhoff also initiated and led Monsanto’s plant genomics research program. From 1998 through 2002 he was President of Cereon Genomics, a Monsanto subsidiary, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cereon Genomics was a collaborative research venture between Monsanto and Millennium Pharmaceuticals and functioned as Monsanto’s primary genomics research center. Today, Dr Fischhoff is a driving force for scientific research and a champion of the Monsanto Fellows program – creating an environment of scientific thought and exchange and harnessing this community to study issues such as global warming and biofuels. Dr. Fischoff holds a bachelors degree in Biology from M.I.T. and a Ph.D. in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the Rockefeller University.
Miguel Oliveira
Director Global Innovation, Bunge

He has worked for Bunge since 1985, starting out in Bunge's isolated soy protein plant in Southern Brazil as Quality Control and Production & Control Manager. After the PhD, he became the product manager for isolates and concentrates for Bunge in Brazil, ultimately becoming the COO of the ingredients division for Bunge Alimentos in 2000. After the acquisition of Central Soya by Bunge in 2002, helped create the Solae Joint Venture (the global leader in soy proteins) with DuPont in 2003, by joining together the DuPont Protein Technologies, Central Soya and Bunge ingredients business. In Solae, he has held positions in VP of Meat Segment Strategy (St. Louis,MO 2003-2004), Asia Pacific Regional VP (Hong Kong 2004-2008) and VP New Business Development (2008-2009). Return to Bunge in July 2009 to head the Bunge Global Innovation team, presently located in St. Louis, MO.
Jake Tarr
Managing Director, Kinetic Ventures

Mr. Tarr joined Kinetic Ventures in 1987. His investment activities focus on power/clean tech, distributed resources, and wireless applications. He is a Director of APX and SmartSynch. Earlier investments include Clear Standards (acquired by SAP), Peace Software (acquired by First Data Corp.), Innova (IPO), Xenergy (acquired by NYSEG, now Energy East), and Liberty Technologies (IPO). Earlier in his career, Mr. Tarr was the Head Deutsche Mark Dealer at the Bank of New York. He received his BA degree from Roanoke College and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

The Future of Ag:
Global Partnerships & Collaborations

The issues and concerns surrounding food and energy are global in nature. Rising commodity prices, environmental degradation, diversion of foods to biofuels are all issues that dominate multilateral discourse. Given the worldwide nature of the industry, governments and private sector companies alike seek continually to form, refine, and redirect their global strategies to meet specific objectives. This panel will feature speakers with expertise in a variety of functions involving cross border partnerships, including a high-level representative from Malaysia. Panelists from Canada, India, and Malaysia will address the agricultural challenges facing emerging markets, will discuss policy initiatives evolving in countries around the world to tackle new challenges and the role international partnerships will play in driving toward new boundaries and opportunities.

Moderator

Rohit Shukla
Founder and CEO
Larta Institute

Mr. Shukla is the Founder and CEO of Larta Institute. Apart from being an entrepreneur in his own right, founding and running two small technology-based companies early in his career, he has also been an advisor to hundreds of businesses worldwide. Under his leadership, Larta Institute, founded in1993, currently manages one of the nation's largest innovation pipelines of companies emerging from federally-funded research (NIH, USDA, NIST, DARPA), 18 top research universities, and from a network of global partner nations. He has designed and led dozens of well-regarded innovation programs including SBIR Commercialization Assistance Programs for NIH, USDA, and NSF as well as “Global Bridge” technology commercialization programs for foreign governments around the world including Australia, Sweden, Finland, Japan, Canada, Israel, Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand. Most recently, he was involved in creating a special program for the government of Malaysia, in partnership with the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation called Global Bridge Malaysia CAP, targeting emerging biotech and agbio companies.

He has a Master’s in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge, England, and a Master’s in Communications from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.

Panelists
Atish Babu
Vice President
Nexus Venture Partners
Dr. Gord Surgeoner
President
Ontario Agri-Food Technologies
Dr. Wan Abdul Rahaman Wan Yaacob
Chief Operating Officer
Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation

 

Atish Babu
Vice President, Nexus Venture Partners

Atish brings to Nexus wide experience in technology start-ups and venture capital/private equity firms. He has spent significant time sourcing and evaluating early stage and growth investment opportunities in India and US at Edelweiss Capital and Battery Ventures.

Atish was also an early team member at Vonage. He served as the company's VP of Corporate Development for several years, helping to build the company into the early leader of the US VoIP market and bringing it to an eventual IPO. Atish has also spent several years as a Program Manager at BAE Systems, where he managed advanced communications businesses serving customers around the world.
Atish is a mentor to a number of cross-border (Indo-US) entrepreneurs and students with new venture ideas. He received his MBA from the Harvard Business School and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for his undergraduate studies.
Dr. Gord Surgeoner
President, Ontario Agri-Food Technologies

Dedicated leader is perhaps the best way to describe Gord Surgeoner. During his 30-year career, he has worked tirelessly to promote initiatives and champion causes that he believes are important to the well-being of the agri-food industry.

After completing his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1971 at the University of Guelph, Dr. Surgeoner went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Economic Entomology in 1973, also from Guelph and a Ph.D. in Forest Entomology in 1976 from Michigan State University. Gord became an esteemed professor at the University of Guelph in Environmental Biology and Plant Agriculture, where he remained on faculty until his retirement in 2004.

Since his secondment from the University of Guelph in 1999, Gord has been the President of Ontario Agri-Food Technologies, a non-profit organization consisting of members from farm associations, universities, industry and governments. The organization focuses on ensuring that Ontario producers have access to the latest technologies to compete globally and to develop new market opportunities, many of which are beyond food.

In September, 2005 Dr. Surgeoner was invested with the Order of Ontario. This distinguished award recognizes Dr. Surgeoner's significant contribution to Ontario's agri-food sector.

In addition, Gord has also received the 2007 University of Guelph Alumnus of Honour Award, the 1989 Distinguished Teaching Award from the Ontario Agricultural College Alumni Association, the 1994 T.R. Hilliard Award for Notable Contribution to Agricultural Extension in the Province of Ontario, an endowed Chair of the University of Guelph bearing his name, the 2002 Award for Contribution to Advancing the Benefits of Biotech for Canadians, and is a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award.

Gord is a strong advocate for Canadian agriculture, the Canadian regulatory system and the opportunities Canada has in a global marketplace.
Dr. Wan Abdul Rahaman Wan Yaacob
Chief Operating Officer, Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation

Dr. Wan Abdul Rahaman bin Wan Yaacob is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Malysian Biotechnology Corporation. In this capacity, he is a leader in spearheading the Malaysian government’s mission to identify value propositions in both R&D and commerce as well as to support these ventures with financial assistance and developmental services. He has spent a substantial part of his career leading rubber organizations including his position as Deputy Director General of the Malaysian Rubber Board.

Dr. Wan Abdul Rahaman started his career as Assistant Rubber Instructor in 1972 with the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia after obtaining his Diploma in Agriculture from the Agriculture College, Serdang. He then moved on to the post of Assistant Research Officer in 1975, Research Officer in mid-1980's and Head, Biotechnology Division in 1989. During this period, he gained his B.Sc. (Plant Science) from the University of California, Davis; a M.Sc.(Horticulture/Biochem Genetics) and a PH.D. (Horticulture/Biochem Genetics) from Kansas State University.

Dr. Wan Abdul Rahaman has represented the country in numerous international forums and meetings related to the rubber industry and have presented papers at scientific conferences and seminars both locally and internationally.He is recognised both internationally and locally as one of the leading authorities on biotechnology. This reputation has been built by his research achievements through his 25 scientific papers in the field of biotechnology, biotechnology policies and management as authors and co-authors.

For his services to the industry, Dr. Wan Rahaman has been awarded various honors both at home and abroad, namely Gama Sigma Delta, USA (1978), Pi Alpha Xi, USA (1980), gold Medal MRRDB (1986), Best paper Award JNRR (1999) and Gold Medal Award: Salon International Des Inventions Geneve (1998). For his contribution to the country he was awarded the Johan Mangku Negara (JMN) in conjunction with the Official Birthday Celebration of the Yang Dipertuan Agong on 2 June, 2001.

Ag Ventures in 2010:
Is Agriculture the Next Cleantech?

What will it take for cleantech and sustainable agriculture startups to attract VCs and other institutional investors? Panel will be composed of leading ag investors to uncover the challenges associated with investing in the ag space and to discuss the frontier of this emerging investment area.

Moderator

Arama Kukutai
Managing Director,
Finistere Ventures

Arama Kukutai joined Finistere in March 2005 as a Managing Director, from a successful career in agribusiness, investing and international trade. Prior to joining Finistere, he served as Regional Director - North America for the New Zealand government's Trade Development agency in North America establishing multiple pathways for New Zealand businesses to access this key market. Mr. Kukutai has had an active career in investment, both in commercial banking at Westpac Banking Corporation, and as a Director of PKW Incorporation, a successful $300M agribusiness and diversified investment entity involved in agriculture, aquaculture and property development with activities in New Zealand, Asia and Australia. He served as Chairman of PKW Farms, a large pastoral Dairy agribusiness in New Zealand. Mr. Kukutai serves on the boards of Hawaii BioEnergy LLC, and Somark Innovations, Inc. He is also Chairman of the Larta Institute's advisory board for the USDA Commercialization program for SBIR grantee companies - see more at usdacap.larta.org. He has lived and worked internationally for much of his career and brings a strong agricultural business focus to Finistere Venture's activities.

Mr. Kukutai is responsible for agricultural technology and green energy portfolio investments and is a member of Finistere's Investment Committee.

Panelists
Ron Meeusen
Managing Partner
MidPoint Food & Ag Fund, LP
Andrew Williamson
Director
Physic Ventures
Derek Norman
Investment Manager
Syngenta Ventures
Patrick McCroskey, Ph.D.
Principal
TPG Biotech

 

Ron Meeusen
Managing Partner, MidPoint Food & Ag Found, LP

Ron has 26 years of experience in bringing new technologies and products to market. During this time he has led research and development for major corporations in agricultural chemicals, field crop and vegetable genetics and breeding, animal health, novel foods and industrial materials. His successful projects include planning and conducting the world’s first field trial of a genetically engineered crop trait in 1986, development and launch of one of the first insect and herbicide resistant corn hybrids in 1996, introduction of a trans-fat free canola oil, and development of dozens of new varieties of field and vegetable crops on three continents. Ron has been a frequent speaker at conferences, a consultant to Federal policy on regulatory issues, and active in industry trade groups on key issues such as European acceptance of new food technologies.

Prior to forming MidPoint Ron spent two years as an executive-on-loan writing an economic development plan which the State of Indiana adopted for its food and agricultural sectors. During the previous six years as Global Leader of Biotechnology at Dow AgroSciences, Ron led the expansion of its biotechnology research and development program.

Ron holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in plant cell biology, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in plant physiology.
Andrew Williamson
Director, Physic Ventures

Andrew Williamson is a Director at Physic Ventures, a San Francisco based Venture Capital firm investing in consumer-directed Health and Sustainable Living. Andrew’s investment practice is focused on science-based companies that are developing technologies and products to enable consumers to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. He is particularly interested in companies developing renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions, green building technology, water purification technology, and bio/sustainable materials. Among the portfolio investments managed by Physic Ventures, Andrew is a member of the boards of Chromatin, EnergyHub, Halosource, Impinj and Novomer.

Prior to joining Physic Ventures, Andrew spent 10 years leading materials science research and development projects at the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. While at LLNL, Andrew helped develop strategies for identifying and commercializing new technologies. He also worked as an Executive Management Fellow in the University of California Industry-University Cooperative Research Program to establish industrial alliance programs for new University of California research centers in nanotechnology, micro-fluidics, foods for health and stem cell research. Dr. Williamson has published over 50 peer reviewed academic articles and 2 patents. He holds a BA and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Cambridge and a MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
Derek Norman
Investment Manager, Syngenta Ventures

Derek Norman is an Investment Manager with Syngenta Ventures, the corporate venture capital group of Syngenta. Syngenta Ventures is responsible for investing in and managing a portfolio of companies that can provide strategic value and financial returns for Syngenta.

Prior to joining Syngenta Ventures, Derek was an Associate at Hatteras Venture Partners, a life science-focused venture capital firm with $120 million under management. Derek also spent three years at Dean & Co., a strategy consulting firm located in Washington, D.C.

Derek received a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from Harvard University. There, his thesis work focused on using chemistry, biochemistry and protein crystallography to study the chemical mechanism of DNA repair processes. Derek received a B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University.
Patrick McCroskey, Ph.D.
Principal, TPG Biotech

Dr. McCroskey joined TPB Biotech in 2007 with a focus on the industrial biotechnology sector. Prior to joining TPG Biotech, Dr. McCroskey was Chief Financial Officer of Ceres, Inc., a privately-held plant biotechnology company developing energy crops such as switchgrass, miscanthus and sorghum for second generation biofuels production. Prior to joining Ceres, Dr. McCroskey was Vice President of Business Development for Diversa Corporation, leading the business activities for the Biosciences division, including responsibility for strategic business development, industrial collaborations and the development and commercialization of Diversa’s industrial enzyme product portfolio. Prior to Diversa, Dr. McCroskey was Vice President of Finance and Strategic Planning for Intarsia Corporation, a joint venture between The Dow Chemical Company and Flextronics International created to commercialize novel flat panel thin film technology for integrated electronic devices. Dr. McCroskey joined Intarsia after spending 10 years at The Dow Chemical Company in various technical and business positions.

Dr. McCroskey received his B.S. from West Virginia University (1984) and his M.S. (1985) and Ph.D. (1988), in Chemical Engineering, from Carnegie Mellon University.
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