William R.C. Charlton, President, Digester Doc

Expansive knowledge of the Anaerobic Digester Industry, with various feedstock varieties and digester technologies throughout the industrial world.  With over a decade of experience in project development, feedstock procurement, mass balance calculations, plant start-up and operational monitoring, post digestion solids conditioning, fertilizer and soil amendment production, as well as digester evaluations.  Strengths lie in understanding & optimizing Biogas plant operations, research and development and microbial health of biogas facilities.  Leadership skills currently focused on the custom development and implementation of Biogas composition monitoring and sampling of digester materials to determine the microbial conditions of facilities throughout the world.

Matthew Christman, Coordinator Wisconsin Biogas Council

Matthew Christman is the Research Analyst for the New North and graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. His current research focuses on methodology to integrate renewable natural gas sources into the transportation sector.

In the past he has applied large dataset analysis for fleet fuel use and conversion opportunity analysis, market research publications for petroleum fuel consumers, and environmental impact mapping.

Prior to joining New North Mr. Christman has worked as a Research Analyst with Breakthrough Fuel, Project Coordinator with Klemm Tank Lines, and Renewable Energy Specialist with Wisconsin Public Service Corp.

Educational experience includes a B.S. in Environmental Science and a B.S. in Earth Science with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay. Additional education includes Sustainable Design and Biofuels Certificates from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

Bryan Johnson, Energy Tech Innovations

Bryan is a professional engineer with 25 plus years of experience in both, private industry and as a consultant. His experience includes working for national and international companies. Bryan earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Bryan is a subject matter expert in the implementation and operation of biogas systems and energy utilization with related expertise in waste minimization, feasibility reviews, permitting, facility design and operations. Recent examples of Bryan’s work have involved a number of digester studies, working with MMSD in Milwaukee to potentially expand their use of landfill gas energy use and working for Forest County Potawatomi in Milwaukee to develop a $20M first-of-a-kind (in North America) anaerobic community digester system that collects high-strength liquid organic wastes from area food processors and produces 2 MW’s of cogeneration power.  Mr. Johnson’s company, Energy Tech Innovations, LLC (ETI) is presently in the process of commercializing a new low-cost patent pending biogas upgrading system produces Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) using water as a natural solvent to purify the gas.

Karyn Jones, Senior Regulatory Consultant, EcoEngineers

Karyn Jones

Sr. Regulatory Consultant

Ms. Jones is an environmental scientist and Sr. Regulatory Consultants at EcoEngineers.  She is responsible for the development, design, operation, and improvement of the systems that create and deliver the firm's compliance services. As Sr. Regulatory Consultant, she provides leadership and management that reflects EcoEngineers’ mission and core values

During her engagement with EcoEngineers, Ms. Jones is recognized with the development of the first of its kind QAP program and Q-RIN protocol under the RFS program approved by the USEPA

Ms. Jones is routinely invited to address industry professionals and talk on RFS and LCFS compliance management, compliance strategies and best practices.  She has also testified to USEPA on proposed rulemaking in Washington D.C. and continues to be called upon to participate as an industry leader in draft rulemaking proceedings. 

Her extensive experience includes environmental compliance management for domestic and international biofuels clients.  She has provided consultancy and advocacy to over 150 facilities located in 18 countries for customized solutions in biodiesel, ethanol and cellulosic production.  And is sought after to analyze and assess viability of innovative technologies in the biofuels space. 

Ms. Jones holds a Bachelor’s of Environmental Science: Soil and Water Conservation from University of Minnesota.  

Dean John Katers, College of Science and Technology

Dean John Katers has been employed at UW-Green Bay since 1995, initially working for the University of Wisconsin Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center as a Recycling Specialist before joining the Natural and Applied Sciences (NAS) faculty in 1999. He was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2004, and promoted to Professor in 2012. He served as Chair of NAS since 2012, and has served as chair of the collaborative Online Masters in Sustainable Management (SMGT) program since its inception in 2012, a collaborative effort with UW Extension and four other UW campuses.

An award-winning educator and leader, Katers was named a Wisconsin Idea Fellow by the UW System in recognition of his outstanding public service and outreach to business and industry. In 2013, he was awarded a Fulbright Specialist position and worked collaboratively with faculty at the Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile, on sustainability issues. He serves as director of the University’s Environmental Management Business Institute (EMBI). Katers holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Business Administration and a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from UW-Green Bay and a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Marquette University.

Dave Lavoie, VP of Business Development, NG Advantage LLC

Dave Lavoie joined the NG Advantage LLC team in 2013 as Director of Business Development.  He brings more than 35 years of diverse experience in the energy industry, including utility planning, operations, and energy sales in both regulated and non-regulated sectors.

​

Today, he is an integral part of the Executive team and serves as the Company’s Vice President of Business Development. In this role, Dave is responsible for cultivating and closing new opportunities, identifying new markets, and nurturing existent relationships with commercial and industrial customers.  His extensive industry knowledge is complemented by his passion for improving energy efficiency and educating customers about alternative energy solutions.  Dave is an authoritative speaker, who has testified in regulatory proceedings, has been called upon as a subject matter expert to present at industry events, as well as to government officials and energy companies.

​

Dave received his BA in Economics and an MBA from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire.

Nick Lumpkin, Director, Business Development Clean Energy Renewable Fuels

Nick Lumpkin is Director of Business Development for Clean Energy Renewable Fuels (CERF), a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp (NASDAQ: CLNE).  Mr. Lumpkin’s core responsibilities include the sales, marketing, and distribution of renewable natural gas (RNG) as a transportation fuel.  He also focuses on the generation and sales of the environmental attributes related to biomethane fuel sales.  Mr. Lumpkin has been involved in the natural gas fueling business since beginning with Clean Energy in 2006. He spearheaded efforts to register the first biogas facility under the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and in 2013 played a significant role in launching Clean Energy’s branded RNG product called Redeem.  To date Clean Energy has sold more 100mm gallons of Redeem.

CERF is one of the largest project developers, owners, and operators and is the largest marketer of RNG for the vehicle fuel, power generation, and direct use markets.  The Company was formed in 2011 for the purpose of owning and operating RNG projects and has emerged as the largest producer of cellulosic biofuel in North America.  CERF is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp., the largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America with operations in compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas vehicle fueling, construction and operation of fueling stations and natural gas fueling infrastructure.  CERF’s proprietary access to Clean Energy’s distribution network uniquely positions it to capitalize on the growth of RNG as a transportation fuel, in addition to existing sales to power generators to satisfy Renewable Portfolio Standards, as well as premium-paying direct end users. 

Charlie Mayer, Sales Engineer, Clarke Energy

Charlie is involved in GE-Jenbacher gas generator set sales at Clarke Energy in Waukesha, WI.  Clarke Energy is the authorized GE-Jenbacher distributor for six states in the Upper Midwest.

​

With a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he has been involved with industrial engines for over 40 years.  His market experience includes standby and continuous duty power generation systems, on- and off-highway diesels, gas compression and other stationary mechanical gas engine drives.  He has served in application engineering, project management, product management, sales and administration.

Charlie has been involved with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), including serving as Milwaukee Section Chairman.  Currently he serves on the board of the Midwest Cogeneration Association, which works to promote a greater public understanding of cogeneration, independent power production and distributed generation in eight Midwest states.

Clarke Energy is a multinational specialist in the engineering, construction, installation and maintenance of engine-based power plants and is an authorized distributor of GE-Jenbacher reciprocating engines in 19 countries.   Founded in 1989, Clarke Energy currently employs over 1100 people worldwide.  

Justin Peterson, Environmental Lab and Science Specialist, Babcock & Wilcox MEGTEC

Justin Peterson is a 2013 graduate of the Environmental Science program at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. He started with B&W MEGTEC as an intern before being hired full time in January of 2014. He has helped to develop effective maintenance washout procedures for Environmental Equipment and is in the process of finalizing a patent in that area. He has also worked closely with Industrial and Environmental group to develop, market, sell, and install biogas purification equipment for B&W MEGTEC.

Jeff Tocio, National Sales Manager, Pentair

Jeff Tocio is the North American Sales Manager for Pentair’s Process Technologies, responsible for CO2  and Biogas recovery equipment in North America.  Jeff’s background includes 20+ years of experience in engineering, product management, business development, and sales management.

Mark J. Torresani, Vice President / Engineer, Cornerstone Environmental Group, LLC/BioCNG

Mr. Mark Torresani has over 30 years of experience as an engineer, project manager, and construction manager on local, regional, national, and international biogas and solid waste projects.  He works on developing and integrating the design, construction, and operation of biogas and waste related projects actions into a comprehensive solution.  He has prepared regulatory submittals, permitting and construction plans, specifications, and operating plans.  His project experience ranges from solid waste planning, initial site investigations to site closure, operations assistance, needs analysis, economic analysis, site redevelopment, construction management, and expert testimony.  Mark has provided numerous lectures at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and at conferences on biogas systems and solid waste design and construction management.

Mr. Torresani’s approach to projects is to consider all aspects of design, construction, operation, economics, sustainability, and end use options.  His experience with site development, operations, and troubleshooting of existing landfill and biogas to energy systems gives him valuable experience with problem solving.  Since 2005 Mr. Torresani has worked on developing technologies and expertise in converting biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG). This work includes his work that led to the patent pending BioCNG system. Due to his experience on numerous sites and developing biogas systems, Mr. Torresani is known as an expert in landfill siting, biogas system design, and construction.