Business Briefs

Microvi adds chief science officer Microvi Biotech Inc. has appointed Michael Melnick as chief scientific officer. He is experienced in the biotechnology and materials science industries and has worked as an investor and executive at companies in the energy, chemicals and drug discovery industries. He most recently served as a venture partner at CMEA Capital, an early stage venture capital firm in San Francisco. Melnick joins the Microvi team as it extends applications of its platform technology, MicroNiche Engineering, to the biofuels and biobased chemicals markets. 

Online pellet retailer appoints CEO
WoodPellets.com has appointed David Nydam as CEO. Nydam previously served as president of Wellesley, Mass.-based BCC Research. Prior to BCC, he was vice president of marketing at EF Education for its Go Ahead Tours division. WoodPellets.com’s prior CEO, Tim Loucks, will remain active as a board member and advisor. 

Amyris announces new of CFO
Amyris Inc. has announced that Paulo Diniz, president of Amyris Brasil, will become Amyris’s interim chief financial officer. He assumed his new responsibilities effective Dec. 15. Diniz joined Amyris as president of the company’s Brazilian subsidiary in early 2011. 

Algenol Biofuels joins AEC
Algenol Biofuels has joined the Advanced Ethanol Council. The company is focused on commercializing its patented algae technology platform for the production of ethanol and other biofuels. Algenol’s direct-to-ethanol technology uses sunlight, algae, nonarable land and carbon dioxide to produce ethanol , and waste biomass for conversion into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. 

The ABC adds 5 board members 
The American Biogas Council has elected one new and re-elected four directors to its board. Amanda Mott of the Wisconsin State Energy Office joined the board with veteran directors Wayne Davis of Harvest Power, Amy Kessler of Turning Earth LLC, Norma McDonald of Organic Waste Systems and Bernie Sheff of Anaergia. 

The ABC adds 5 board members 
Maverick Biofuels was awarded three U.S. patents for producing a mixed-alcohol fuel from synthesis gas via a methanol intermediate. The inventions broaden the company’s technology platform for producing renewable fuels and chemicals. 

Carbo Analytics adds board member
Carbo Analytics has appointed Amit Kumar to its board of advisors. He has been an investor, founder, director and CEO of several technology enterprises. As CEO of CombiMatrix Corp., he took the company public and ran it for a decade. He has also worked in venture capital with OAK Investment Partners and has been an advisor to investment funds, venture capital firms and Fortune 500 companies. Kumar served on the board of directors for Acacia Research Corp. from 2002-2008 and is currently CEO of Geo Fossil Fuels.  

Biomass energy quick assessment tool now available
The New York Farm Viability Institute and the New York Biomass Energy Alliance have announced the availability of the Local Impact of Woody Biomass Energy Projects: Quick Assessment Tool for Planners and Community Leaders (QAT). QAT is available in two versions, a lite version for community leaders, planners and development officials, and a full version for individuals interested in digging and looking at more detailed impacts of biomass energy projects. 

California Ethanol & Power promotes executive
California Ethanol & Power LLC has promoted David Rubenstein from the position of chief operating offer to president and CEO. Prior to CP&E, Rubenstein was president and majority owner of Pacific Diazo Products Inc. Jeffrey Lee, who previously served as president, is assuming the role of manager of project development and general counsel. Lee previously served as senior development manager with Bechtel Enterprises Inc. and lead counsel for a Bechtel Corp. operating division. 

Mid-South Engineering acquires D&S Engineering 
Mid-South Engineering Co. has announced the acquisition of Millinocket, Maine-based D&S Engineering. The acquisition brings together two established and respected names to better serve their customers in the renewable energy, pulp and paper, building products and materials handling industries. The existing operations of D&S Engineering will operate as D&S, a division of Mid-South Engineering Co.