A high-resolution picture of Mr. Burke for download  can be found here:

Mr. Burke became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Biofuels Center of North Carolina in March of 2009.  He served as founding Board Chair from July of 2007 until that date, and as Acting President since August 2008.

The Biofuels Center is a private non-profit corporation established by the State of North Carolina to craft and implement a policy commitment for a sustained statewide biofuels initiative.  The Center is judged the nation’s only agency working within a long-term and comprehensive framework for all aspects of biofuels development.

Mr. Burke in March departed the North Carolina Biotechnology Center as Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs.  Over 24 years there, he helped shape the approach and strategies of the Biotechnology Center, the world’s first targeted initiative for biotechnology development.  He was responsible for varied activities and programs addressing strategic, governmental, policy, societal, and international issues. Among key outcomes: oversight of Growing North Carolina’s AgBiotech Landscape, shaping multi-party long-term state vision in the sector; development of a nationally unique program to strengthen niche biotechnology through five regional offices across North Carolina; development with partners of North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership and the Biofuels Center of North Carolina; activities and policy recommendations shaping forest biotechnology and establishing the Institute of Forest Biotechnology; and a collaborative relationship with the German State of North Rhine – Westphalia.

Mr. Burke has been an active participant in the national and international life science and biotechnology communities since the mid-1980’s.  He speaks frequently throughout the United States and internationally on life science technology development, with particular attention to:

• The factors, strategies, and issues shaping effective biotechnology and life science communities.
• The policies, issues, and development of biofuels and forest biotechnology. 
• The international and cultural imperatives of biotechnology development.

Mr. Burke serves on the Executive Committee of the Biofuels Center.  He is a board member of the Bent Creek Institute and is Vice Chair of the board of directors of the Biotechnology Institute, a non-profit corporation working for strengthened biotechnology education nationwide.  From 2001-2009, he served as founding board chair and board member of the Institute of Forest Biotechnology, a private non-profit corporation addressing the scientific, industry, and societal issues of forest biotechnology worldwide.  He served two terms – in 1995-96 and 1997-98 – as chair of the 100+ member Council of Biotechnology Centers of BIO, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, and served on the Council’s Board from 1993-2000. He served from 1994 until June of 1999 on the Emerging Companies Section Governing Board of BIO. 

Prior to joining the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in 1985 as its fifth employee, Mr. Burke taught Instructional Design at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He has an undergraduate degree in Religion and Literature from Duke University, and a Master of Education in Instructional Design from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He owns, curates, and informs about the nation’s largest collection of American folk art buildings.

Mark Conlon came to the Biofuels Center of North Carolina from Novozymes where he was instrumental in the development of business plans around next generation cellulosic enzyme advancements and headed up global marketing for the company’s biofuels enzyme business. He serves the Biofuels Center as Vice President of Sector Development where he is working to implement North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership by providing direction to promote recruitment, development, funding, and increased capabilities for renewable fuels production facilities across North Carolina. Conlon brings more than 25 years industry experience including technical and senior commercial positions with Bayer Corporation in bulk fermentation and biotech products as well as business development management roles with ADM in specialty lipids and an industrial technology start-up organization based on chemical hydrolysis of lignocellulosic feedstocks to produce fermentable sugars. Conlon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Eastern Illinois University and corporate sponsored executive management business training from the University of Notre Dame.

Dr. Thomas brings more than ten years' of industry experience in business development, project management and technology commercialization.  She is responsible for developing and implementing business-directed strategies, initiatives, partnerships and programs at the Biofuels Center.  Dr. Thomas leads the identification, analysis and reporting on existing and new areas for industry development.  Furthermore, she drives the recruitment and development of biofuels companies to North Carolina, with a focus on business, financing and marketing strategies.  She also frequently presents in industry events.  Through her consulting role at Stratergix LLC and at the Small Business and Technology Development Center, Thomas developed key partnerships and advised over 80 small business and technology companies in business strategy, financing, business development, technology transfer and commercialization.  During her five years at Syngenta, Thomas was instrumental in technical and project management as well as business development across four business areas, including biofuels.  Dr. Thomas holds an honors Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from North Central College  in Naperville, Illinois, a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Birmingham in the UK and a distinction MBA in Strategy and Finance from Warwick Business School in Coventry, UK. 

With over 30 years experience in North Carolina agriculture, Sam Brake came to the Biofuels Center from Red Birch Energy, a startup renewable energy company, where he consulted, recruited, and coached farmers on growing canola as an oil feedstock. He previously served as CEO of the North Carolina Grain Growers Cooperative, where he promoted specialty soybeans as a renewable energy. A graduate of N.C. State University, Brake spent four years as a 4-H agent with the Cooperative Extension Service in Carteret County and over 27 years managing crop production on the Open Grounds Farm. Brake’s experience with biodiesel at the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association also makes him an invaluable resource, as he understands the agricultural significance and economic impact biofuels can have in North Carolina.

With over 30 years experience in the forest products industry, Jack Swanner joined the Biofuels Center after working with T&S Hardwoods, Inc. in Sylva, North Carolina, where he served as general manager overseeing wood procurement, production, and sales. He has also worked with Georgia Pacific in wood procurement in Warm Springs, Georgia.  A graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in Forest Engineering, he has extensive experience in harvesting systems, and has worked with the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station in Auburn, Alabama, studying biomass fuel harvesting equipment.

In addition, Swanner has developed, trained, and operated cable harvesting crews in the southern Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, and is past president of the North Carolina Forestry Association. He has also served as president of the Southern Timber Purchaser Council, as president of the Southern Appalachian Multiple Use Council, and served as a board member on the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Association. Swanner is a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Board, and is a registered forester in the state of North Carolina.

Norman Smit is a startup specialist with more than 25 years of international experience as a journalist and manager in news organizations that he uses to inform his role as Marketing and Education Director for the Biofuels Center of North Carolina. Prior to helping start up the Biofuels Center, he was a founding member of the North Carolina Community College BioNetwork, the statewide life sciences education, training and economic development initiative. BioNetwork, which started in 2003, is recognized as a leading example of its kind in the life sciences arena.

During his career in the media, Smit worked as a senior manager in starting digital news rooms in Houston, Texas, and in North Carolina, and in 1998 he helped create South Africa’s first independent, post-Apartheid prime-time national evening newsroom and newscast and subsequently produced it for three years. He was executive producer at Good Morning South Africa and created the replacement show for GMSA, The Breakfast Club. His experience in morning news television led to his working with the German government, collaborating with German national breakfast television offerings produced by ZDF and ARD. A multiple award winner, he has extensive experience in strategic decision-making and media positioning, and has partnered effectively with other North Carolina organizations to raise the global profile of the state’s life sciences. Smit has a degree in Journalism & Media Studies, an honor's degree in Sociology from Rhodes University, and a Diploma in Public Relations from PRISA.

After graduating from Meredith College in 1995, Ashley Jones worked on Congressman David Funderburke’s legislative staff.  Prior to her assuming the Government Affairs position at the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, Jones served as Commissioner Steve Troxler’s Federal Liaison, working in Washington, DC on national issues affecting the North Carolina agriculture industry.  She worked closely with the North Carolina Congressional delegation and served as a conduit for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture to Capitol Hill.  Jones collaborated with other states to build coalitions to work on  policy issues at the national level, working  through the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.  Jones grew up in politics - her father is Congressman Walter Jones who represents eastern North Carolina’s 3rd District Congressional district.

 

Steve Wall joined the Biofuels Center in 2010, bringing with him over a decade of experience working on environmental policy issues at the state and federal levels.  Most recently, Wall served as a Policy Analyst in the Secretary’s Office of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) where he was involved in developing and implementing policy initiatives in a variety of areas, including renewable energy.  In this capacity, Wall was a member of the state’s Energy Policy Council and acted as the primary staff person for the Environmental Management Commission’s Renewable Energy Committee.  Before joining DENR, Wall began his legal and policy career in Washington, DC where he worked on environmental and agricultural legislation for U.S. Representative Mel Watt. He then returned to North Carolina to serve as the Director of Governmental Relations for the Conservation Council of North Carolina.  He received his J.D. with honors from UNC School of Law and his B.A. with honors and distinction in Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. 

 

Remona Callair has more than ten years of professional management experience in the nonprofit arena.  Prior to joining the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, she served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations for the Council for Entrepreneurial Development in Research Triangle Park, NC.  Her background in financial and operational leadership includes technical expertise in accounting, financial control, and adherence to GAAP standards, as well as a proven track record of organizational accountability as evidenced by nine consecutive successful external audits at CED.   In addition to her professional experience, Remona holds a Bachelor of Administration degree with a major in Business Management and a minor in Accounting from the University of South Carolina at Aiken. 

As a member of the management team at the Biofuels Center, Remona has a deep commitment to ensuring financial integrity, operational efficiency, and achievement of the vision and goals of the organization.  

HollyAnn Nye Rogers has extensive experience in nonprofit management with particular emphasis on start-ups, grant-seeking, and grants management.  Past positions include executive directorships with the Harnett County Partnership for Children, Communities In Schools of Lee County, and the Angier Chamber of Commerce.  She also established the first Grants Office at Central Carolina Community College, where she secured and managed state, federal, corporate, and foundation grants for an array of projects from biofuels curriculum development to the Central Carolina Dental Center.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from North Carolina State University, a Master’s of Nonprofit Management from Regis University, and certificates in management and leadership from Duke University and the Center for Creative Leadership.  She has taught short courses and workshops on grant-seeking and other nonprofit management topics and has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees. 

A North Carolina native with family roots in the tobacco fields and small towns “down east”, HollyAnn understands the economic, agricultural, and environmental importance of achieving the vision of the Biofuels Center.  She and her husband Dennis, retired columnist with The News & Observer of Raleigh, live in Oxford, North Carolina.