Please join us in welcoming to the Biobased Maine board of directors Colleen Walker, Director of the Process Development Center at the University of Maine, Tom Brennan, Senior Natural Resource Manager at Nestlé Waters North American Inc., and Jay Brandeis, Partner at Abnaki Group and Consultant for Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences.

Colleen Walker comes to Biobased Maine with over 25 years experience in chemical engineering and pulp and paper technologies. As the Director of the Process Development Center (PDC) at the University of Maine, Colleen works directly with businesses, providing technical services and resources for traditional pulp and paper as well as emerging process technologies in materials science. Maine’s Process Development Center is one of the top suppliers in the world of nanocellulose to researchers and technology developers. In her previous work at the Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industries (TAPPI), Colleen was actively engaged in projects related to new products and emerging markets.

“I am honored to join this board of distinguished individuals and help showcase Maine’s extensive resources, from its well-managed forests to its knowledgeable workforce,” notes Walker.  “I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Biobased Maine to help bring awareness of the opportunity in Maine to both emerging and traditional industries.”

Tom Brennan joins Biobased Maine with over 30 years experience in water-related fields. In his former position at Nestlé Waters North America, Tom focused on sustainable water resource management and development over nearly 20 years, and in helping the company find sustainable, biobased alternatives to replace Nestle’s plastic bottle packaging. Tom continues to play an active role in Maine in helping to develop Maine’s natural resource based economy.

“Maine is blessed with rich renewable natural resources and a long history of sustainable resource management,” says Brennan. “I am very pleased to join my colleagues at Biobased Maine in highlighting the opportunities available for development of the bioeconomy in our world increasingly challenged by the effects of Climate Change.”

Jay Brandeis, our newest board member, comes to Biobased Maine with years of leadership, business development, and project development experience, having worked in Cleantech for start-up and established companies, in private equity, and in consulting. In his role as a business development consultant for the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Jay is working to expand Bigelow’s commercial efforts, e.g., harnessing the Lab’s analytical capabilities to drive natural product innovation and revenue growth.

Jay quote: “Biobased Maine is well positioned to showcase the rich biodiversity that our state possesses, from our forests, to our farms, to our waters, and the strong economics that sustainable biobased products and processes can achieve, enhancing how in-state companies currently conduct business and attracting new companies to Maine.  I am excited to join other board members in ensuring the success of this important organization.” 

Colleen, Tom, and Jay join Biobased Maine’s board of industry leaders and advocates for Maine’s bioeconomy: Jamie Chittum (QuickPlug, NA), Mike Belliveau (Environmental Health Strategy Center), Steve Schley (FOR/Maine), Pete Boynton (Ginkgo Bioworks), Andy Hamilton (Eaton Peabody), and Darryl Waite (Sappi North America).

“Adding Tom, Colleen and Jay to the Biobased Maine board of directors strengthens our work to grow a sustainable biobased manufacturing industry in Maine,” said Jamie Chittum, Biobased Maine Board President. “Colleen’s expertise in pulp and paper chemistry, Tom’s knowledge of consumer supply chain needs, and Jay’s experience in business development and aquatic-based products expands our knowledge and capacity to build Maine’s emerging bioeconomy.”

Welcome, Tom, Colleen and Jay!

Posted in Uncategorized