Biomass Advisors launched – New consultancy focused on advanced biofuels and feedstocks

Firm to provide biofuels financial modeling, bioenergy feasibility and technology assessment, biofuels feedstock evaluation, carbon projections, renewable energy policy and renewable energy permitting analysis.

MIAMI, FL, June 24, 2009 — Biomass Advisors, a new renewable energy consulting firm providing custom bioenergy advisory services, launches today. This specialized bioenergy consulting group will help companies identify biofuel opportunities for companies with operations in chemicals, industrial equipment, construction and engineering, organic consumer products and others interested in new renewable energy opportunities. Biomass Advisors will also provide renewable energy market assessment and due diligence services to private equity and venture capital firms making direct investments in bioenergy, and biofuels joint venture and strategic partnership services.

The consultancy, which will be based in Boston, Miami and the Bay Area, will focus on the conversion of advanced biomass feedstocks, including algae, municipal waste, cellulosic biomass and dedicated energy crops for renewable fuels and sustainable chemistry ingredients. Biomass Advisors will maintain a dedicated focus on helping promising renewable energy technologies and companies move from research and development into bioenergy demonstration, pilot and full-scale bioenergy production.

The new company will serve existing clients of Lane & Associates and pursue new assignments in bioenergy. Lane & Associates has advised more than 80 renewable energy companies in the US, Europe, and Africa on biofuel capital structure, emerging biofuel technology feasibility, algal fuel market opportunities and cellulosic ethanol market sizing, and will be folded into the new entity with this expansion.

“The opportunities in bio-based energy and chemicals are getting more attractive and complex,” said Jim Lane publisher of Biofuels Digest and leader of the new firm. “The Biomass Advisors team provides cross-functional expertise in strategic planning, market research, legal and regulatory compliance, valuation, capital structure, joint ventures and corporate partnering. We are excited to offer bio-energy advisory services to clients ranging from established petrochemical companies investing in biofuels to emerging bio-energy startups to municipalities considering waste-to-energy projects.

The firm’s principals include:

Dr. Ari Axelrod

Dr. Ari Axelrod is an experienced finance executive and consultant with expertise in strategy, value management, valuation and corporate development. He is also a Corporate Fellow at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

As Senior Vice President, Head of Financial Planning and Analysis with Lehman Brothers, Ari was responsible for the Firm’s short- and long-term financial and capital planning. Prior to that, he served as Principal with the Boston Consulting Group where he led over twenty assignments across industries and geographies.

Ari holds an MBA from Harvard Business School as well as a CFA, PE, and Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Power Plants.

Chet Geschickter

Chet Geschickter is a seasoned strategy consultant with expertise in digital and interactive marketing, market research, industry analysis and market development. His background combines strategic planning, marketing and industry analysis. He is an active blogger covering renewable energy topics at www.newenergyhorizons.wordpress.com.

As Director of Digital Strategy for Molecular, he led a team of strategy consultants planning online service portals and sales and marketing websites.

Prior to Molecular, Chet started Open Method, an Internet marketing consultancy focused on online viral and social media marketing. Prior to Open Method, Chet led strategic planning for One to One Interactive. Chet also led marketing for two venture-backed software companies and as director of research for an industry analyst firm.

Chet holds a BA from Duke University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Jim Lane

Jim Lane is Editor & Publisher of Biofuels Digest, the world’s most widely-read biofuels daily. The Digest has 35,000 readers at 7,000 organizations.

Jim is also chairman of the American Biofuels Council, a director of the Florida real estate developer LCW, and serves on the Board of Trustees of EcoChamber. Prior to Lane and Associates he was COO at the Inc 500-ranked JSA Publishing, a publisher at Petersen Publishing, and a group publisher at Reed Elsevier. He is author of eight books; his ninth, The National Energy Solution, is forthcoming. He appears regularly on NPR’s Living on Earth commenting on energy trends. His articles on energy and other topics have appeared in more than 100 publications.

Jim holds a BA from the University of Washington.

Mackinnon Lawrence

Mackinnon brings a background in international environmental law and policy focusing on energy, climate, and sustainability issues. He is the Energy Policy Editor and a frequent contributor to CleanTechies.com, where he covers Stimulus funding opportunities under ARRA.

As a consultant, Mackinnon has worked with smart grid startup companies to develop strategy and partnerships to access Stimulus funding. He also advises clients about legislative and regulatory developments as well as federal and state policies around energy efficiency, demand response, biofuels, and climate change. He began his career working on sustainability and natural resource issues in South Africa as a Junior Lead Fellow with LEAD International analyzing the intersection of population growth, environmental degradation, and development.

Mackinnon holds a JD from American University’s Washington College of Law, an MA in Global Environmental Policy from American University’s School of International Service, and a BA from Amherst College.

Industry professionals interested in upcoming biofuel briefings and webinars can register their interest at www.biomassadvisors.com; or by emailing or calling Jim Lane; jlane@biomassadvisors.com 786-393-8530.

About Biomass Advisors

Biomass Advisors is a boutique consulting and advisory firm dedicated to fostering a carbon-neutral energy future by helping clients evaluate, plan and manage investments in renewable energy. We leverage deep industry expertise to assist clients in identifying indigenous biomass feedstock opportunities and in advancing bio-energy conversion technologies.

Biomass Advisors brings together a world-class team of consultants to deliver strategic analysis and planning tailored to client needs. The firm delivers cross-functional expertise in strategic planning, financial management, and policy and regulatory matters. The firm maintains expertise in a number of emerging renewable energy specialties including: waste-to-energy, algal fuel, fuel from non-food cellulosic sources, and carbon credits. Visit www.biomassadvisors.com for more information.

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For more information, please contact:
Jim Lane
Biomass Advisors
786-393-8530
jlane@biomassadvisors.com