Algae Biomass Summit Announces New Speakers From Departments of Energy, Agriculture and the Truman National Security Project

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 12, 2014) - The Algae Biomass Organization continues to expand the breadth and depth of experts in energy, agriculture, national security and sustainability at the 8^th Annual Algae Biomass Summit, taking place in San Diego, California, September 29-October 2. The new speakers join an impressive agenda of keynotes, plenaries and networking opportunities at the world's largest algae conference. Registration and agenda information is available at http://algaebiomasssummit.org.

"With Assistant Secretaries of Departments of Navy and Agriculture; Directors and Program Managers from several federal agencies; Executive Directors of major trade associations; more than 100 speakers & panelists; 50 exhibitors and more than 100 posters, this year's summit offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to learn, network and collaborate, " said Matt Carr, Executive Director of the Algae Biomass Organization.

Energy: New speakers that will address algae's potential to address energy challenges include:

• David Danielson, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
• Jonathan Male, Director, Bioenergy Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy
• Neil P. Rossmeissl, Algal Program Manager, Bioenergy Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy
  
  

Agriculture & Food: Speakers discussing algae's potential in food and agriculture, as well as regulatory requirements facing algal products currently hitting the market include:

• Chris Cassidy, Renewable Energy Advisor, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Steven Scott Nicholls, USDA Rural Development, Business & Energy Programs Specialist
• Daniel Fabricant, CEO & Executive Director, Natural Products Association
  
  

National Security: On the topic on national security and the need for new sources of renewable, domestically produced biofuels:

• Mike Breen, Executive Director, Truman National Security Project
  
  

Sustainability: Speakers addressing the Summit on the topic of algae's role in environmental and economic sustainability include:

• Ana Zacapa, Director, Ceres California
• Matt Rudolf, Business Development & Americas Director, Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials
  
  

Research: To discuss the latest advances in algae research and development some of the leading scientists in the field at the Summit will include:

• Stephen Mayfield, Director, California Center for Algae Biotechnology
• Jose Oliveras, Executive Director, National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts
• Mark Huntley, Principal Investigator, Cornell Consortium
• Tryg Lundquist, Associate Professor, California Polytechnic State University
• Jeffrey Kanel, President & CEO, Renewable Algal Energy, LLC
  
  

These new speakers join other leaders that are accelerating the development of algae technologies, such as Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Matt Salmon (R-CA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Algae Caucus (via video address) and Dennis McGinn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy, Installations & Environment and San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

In total, there are expected to be more than 100 live presentations during the Summit -- in-depth examinations of the latest scientific breakthroughs, commercial successes and financing models. San Diego is a hub of algae industry activity, and hundreds of entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and users of algal products are expected at the event.

The Summit comes at a time when industry is increasingly looking for new sources of alternative fuels, feed stocks, and consumer products. Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing the world today. This tiny but powerful organism has the ability to simultaneously put fuels in vehicles, reuse CO₂, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the US algae Industry, produces the Algae Biomass Summit. More information about the Summit can be found at www.algaebiomasssummit.org.

About the Algae Biomass Organization
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website: www.algaebiomass.org.