The Biopolymers Symposium 2011 is advised by some of the most well-known and respected names in the bioplastics industry. These industry leaders are invaluable in planning and developing the top-notch sessions.
 | Dr. Ramani Narayan
University Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science
Michigan State University | He has 115 refereed publications in leading journals to his credit, 18 patents, edited three books and one expert dossier in the area of bio-based polymeric materials. Under his supervision, 20 students have obtained their Master's degree, ten students their Ph.D. degrees and six are working towards their Ph.D. He has major research programs with industry and serves as consultant for several companies. |
 | Brenda Platt
Co-Director
Institute of Local Self-Reliance | Brenda Platt is the Co-Director of the Washington, DC-based Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a nonprofit organization. She has worked 24 years on recycling and composting issues, and is a trained composter and licensed to operate commercial composting facilities in Maryland.
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 | Steve Davies
Marketing Director
NatureWorks LLC | Steve leads marketing & public affairs globally for NatureWorks LLC, a company formed with the unique mission of bringing to market a broad family of performance plastics and fibers created from plants, not oil. He is responsible for the strategy, direction and management of the company's external communications, media relations, issues management, and brand. |
 | Melissa Hockstad
Vice President, Science, Technology & Regulatory Affairs
SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association | Ms. Hockstad came to SPI in June 2006 from the Washington, D.C.-based Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) where she served as Performance Improvement Director and led the association's environmental, health, safety and security program. Prior to joining SOCMA, Melissa was a Senior Engineer with Basell Polyolefins (now LyondellBasell). |
 | Scott Vitters
General Manager, PlantBottle Packaging Platform
The Coca-Cola Company | Scott Vitters has worked to advance The Coca-Cola Company's commitment to sustainable growth for the past thirteen years. He is currently responsible for stewarding the company's worldwide packaging sustainability program. |
 | Marco Versari
Strategic Marketing Manager
Novamont SpA | Marco Versari is an agronomist and spent most of his career in the area of agriculture for non food purposes. Marco joined Novamont in 1995 and today is Strategic Marketing Manager devoting most of his energies and time to accreditate bioplastics with stakeholders and opinion makers both at the Italian and international level. |
 | Dr. Paul Fowler
Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Technology
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point | As executive director of WIST, Paul is looking forward to networking with public- and private-sector organizations and companies to develop new sustainable technologies with commercial applications to benefit the economy and the environment. |
 | Ron Buckhalt
Manager, BioPreferred Program
USDA | Ron Buckhalt manages USDA's BioPreferred program, a mandatory Federal procurement program requiring all Federal agencies to buy and use biobased products designated by USDA.Ron has over 40 years of communications and public policy experience, having worked as a Congressional Press Secretary, executive branch political appointee, public relations executive, communications consultant, lobbyist, radio and television newscaster, and video producer. |