Web exclusive posted Oct. 9, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. CST
Cellulosic ethanol and specialty enzyme producer
Verenium Corp. has announced the appointment of Gregory Powers to the position of executive vice president for the company's research and development division. Powers will be based at Verenium's San Diego research and development facility. He will replace Geoffrey Hazlewood, who resigned for personal reasons earlier this year. Hazlewood continues to be a consultant for the company and sits on the scientific advisory board.
Powers is a chemical engineer who, prior to joining Verenium, held the vice president of global engineering position at United Technologies Corp.'s carrier division. As part of his role at United Technologies, Powers was responsible for overseeing all engineering activity and strategy development activities for the company.
"Greg brings over 30 years of valuable research and development, manufacturing and business development experience from leading global technology companies," Verenium President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Riva said.
Riva plans to utilize Powers' skills to help strengthen the company's research and development platform, adding that Powers will be a critical addition to Verenium's executive team.
In addition to his responsibilities at Verenium, Powers is a current member of the board of directors for The Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems at Syracuse University in New York.
Verenium is currently working to commercialize its cellulosic ethanol production technology using crops such as sugarcane and energy cane bagasse at the company's demonstration facility in Jennings, La. Verenium's specialty enzyme division has played a major role in advancing its cellulosic ethanol production capabilities and continues to be a main focus for the company.