Then and Now: 120 Bioeconomy Pioneers look at yesterday, today, inspirations and challenges

Douglas Faulkner

Then:  Serving President George W. Bush as the Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Focused on negotiating the new Energy Title of the pending Farm Bill, breaking down barriers between federal agencies and building new global bioenergy partnerships, especially with Brazil, the developing world and international organizations.

Now: President of the strategic advisory firm, Leatherstocking LLC, focusing on blazing new pathways for clean technologies. We help clients with strategic planning, government affairs, communications and sustainability. I write for “Biofuels Digest”, under the nom de plume, “The Cleantech Conservative.” My principal concerns now are with the upcoming Farm Bill and reforming the Renewable Fuels Standard

Inspirations: The incredible intellectual challenges involved in such a fluid and cross-cutting world where politics, diplomacy, economics, business, the environment and basic humanity all intersect.

Challenges: Rising above the pressing demands of today to see the possibilities of tomorrow.