Registration for the meeting opens at 4:45 p.m. and the program begins at 5:30 p.m. at the college, 2100 Beaser Ave., on Ashland’s south side. You may register online at www.wisconsintechnologycouncil/com or at the door. The fee is $5 for WIN members and $10 for non-members; Xcel Energy is the sponsor.
Bio-energy and bio-products have been a recent focus of WIN meetings and other exploratory efforts in the Chequamegon Bay area. In August 2006, the first Lake Superior Technology Conference brought together a number of experts in bio-energy and bio-products to discuss commercialization strategies that fit with the region’s existing strengths.
Speakers at the Nov. 20 meeting will discuss the prospects for building a small “boutique-sized” bio-energy facility in the area, similar to a facility constructed in Kiel, Wis., that refines soy oil into diesel fuel. Speakers are:
? Jerry Lazarski, vice president of technology for the North American region of Stora Enso. He is responsible for application of new technologies supporting capital investment strategy, planning and execution to grow the business. In his more than 30-year career in the paper industry, he has had extensive manufacturing and engineering experience in both magazine and fine papers areas. This included serving on start-up teams of two new paper machine projects.
? Ron Gayhart, is director of the UW-Whitewater Small Business Development Center. Gayhart has been an entrepreneur, owning a retail business for more than 20 years and a second venture as owner of a manufacturer of specialized machine controls with an international clientele. Gayhart also has worked with a major electric utility, with a wholesale distribution company, and a director of sales and business development for a $90 million division for a regional non-profit organization.
? Brenda Rowley is an Ashland resident involved in the production of bio-diesel and the use of bio-diesel byproducts. Rowley and her husband, Josh, recycle grease and oils to produce bio-diesel and other products.
The Wisconsin Innovation Network is the membership subsidiary of the Wisconsin Technology Council, which is the independent, non-profit and non-partisan science and technology adviser to the governor and the Legislature. There are WIN chapters in six Wisconsin locations, including Ashland. To join or sponsor an event, contact Andrea Johnson at 608-442-7557 ext. 27 or ajohnson@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com
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