Advanced BioFuels USA

by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA)  At its sixth annual meeting on January 14, 2014, Advanced Biofuels USA elected and welcomed Barbara Vieira, Ph.D., Assistant Director of the Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center at Ohio State University to the board of directors.
Explaining the unique value Vieira brings to Advanced Biofuels USA, executive director, Joanne Ivancic noted, “As the dynamic of advanced biofuels development takes a path through development of bioproducts and biochemicals, Dr. Vieira’s expertise and contacts with that sector of the bioeconomy will enable us to better serve our multi-leveled audience.  We are very excited to have Dr. Vieira join us.”
Early in her career, Vieira held positions as an Assistant Professor and Visiting Professor, teaching courses in organic chemistry and biochemistry.  Then she logged more than 20 years of experience in many facets of business, including new business development, new product development, project management, market research, quality assurance and training.  Prior to joining OBIC, Vieira led market research at the New Product Development group at Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)
In 2009, Vieira joined OBIC as a Portfolio Manager and now heads OBIC’s cluster development program.
Reflecting on her interest in joining Advanced Biofuels USA’s team, Vieira remarked, “I am a farm girl at heart and a chemist by training. So the allure that I could make a difference in both industries was a strong pull for me. The sticking power comes from the excitement and sense of purpose I feel regularly when working hand-in-hand with entrepreneurs, researchers – really the whole supply chain at some point – to take innovative ideas to biobased products consumers can buy.”
Dennis Hall, OBIC Director, elaborated on the benefits from this deepening of the relationship between OBIC and Advanced Biofuels USA. “Barbara is expert at taking big ideas and recasting them into action plans. In this regard, I think that the Advanced Biofuels USA Board of Directors is gaining a resource that OBIC knows to be of great value. I appreciate Barbara’s willingness to serve on your Board and to the exciting potential our two organizations can realize by working together.”
Vieira fills the board position held by attorney Robert Rhudy who has served Advanced Biofuels USA since its beginning.  Rhudy decided to step back to give more time to his mediation and law practice and other board obligations.  He will continue to work on special projects.
In accepting Rhudy’s decision, Ivancic noted, “Bob has encouraged us from the beginning, providing guidance as we created our nonprofit corporation.  We are glad that he will continue to be available to us to tap into his expertise; so we need not say goodbye, only ‘see you soon’.”