Management Team
Sylvatex has assembled an outstanding board with the technical and business expertise to develop and market its technology. Scientific expertise is strong in the fields of process chemistry, engineering, and fuels testing.
The underlying microemulsion technology was developed by the late William H. Klausmeier, Ph.D who had an extensive career in biomass research and biofuel technology. Current directors include leading experts in California legislative affairs and petroleum industry management & consulting.
Management Team
Virginia M. Klausmeier, M.S.
Co-Founder & CEO –Ms. Klausmeier earned her B.S (in Chemistry and Physiology) and M.S. (in Biomechanics) at the University of Oregon. Over the last five years, she has been deeply involved in developing the Sylvatex fuel technology with her father, Dr. William Klausmeier. She has many years of experience developing business and marketing plans as well as managing large budgets. Her involvement with the biofuel community includes her work on San Francisco’s BioDiesel Task force and Biodiesel Coop.
Kristen Aramthanapon, M.S.
Kristen Aramthanapon is currently the director of technical development for Sylvatex Inc. where she has been leading the development required for obtaining EPA registration, CARB approval, formulation optimization, and partnerships required for pilot projects. Prior to this she was the lead chemistry developer for Wolfram Research where she led and managed all of the chemistry content and functions for what eventually became Wolfram Alpha. Kristen also worked for the Illinois State Geological Survey where she outlined plans and carried out experiments for various energy endeavors. Kristen completed her masters in chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Steven Zimmerman where she designed and synthesized dendrimers with tailored solubility. Her thesis focused on the synthesis and surface-functionalization of dendrimer encapsulated quantum dots for biomedical imaging.
Samuel Larson, B.A.
Samuel Larson is a consultant who has worked with Sylvatex to help spearhead the financial & industry modeling, fuel life cycle analysis & RIN registration. Mr. Larson is also facilitating in strategic partnership development, and business strategy. Before joining Sylvatex, Mr. Larson was VP of LatAm Operations, in charge of financial modeling and project development for Eco Ventures Group, where he hybridized commodities markets with forestry, bioenergy and mining projects in the US and Latin America for a successful series A & B company funding.
Board of Advisors
Rene Schena
Director & Chemical Procurement – Ms. Schena served as CEO and Chairman for Telechem International and its subsidiary, Arrayit, which grew from their founding in 1993 to become a leading company in chemical sourcing and specialty biotech products. Under her leadership, Telechem was recognized as one of Fortune 500’s fastest-growing companies (2003) and was ranked 11th among Silicon Valley companies (2005). Ms. Schena orchestrated sale of Telechem in 2008 for approximately $23 million.
Richard Polanco
Advisor – Mr. Polanco, a former California State Senator and State Assembly Member, served from 1986 until his retirement in 2002. Polanco was Senate Majority Leader from 1998-2002, and chaired the California Latino Legislative Caucus from 1990-2002. In 2002 Polanco established the California Latino Caucus Institute for Public Policy, a non-profit development organization focused on public policy, education and leadership. Prior to elected office, Polanco served on the staff of Los Angeles County Supervisor Ed Edelman, Assemblyman Richard Alatorre and former Governor Jerry Brown. Mr. Polanco attended East Los Angeles College, the University of Redlands and the Universidad de Mexico. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Meruelo Maddux Properties, Inc. and California Delta Dental, Inc.
Christopher S. Weaver, P.E.
Advisor & Contractor – Mr. Weaver is President of Engine, Fuel and Emissions Engineering, Inc., an air quality consulting and R&D firm located in Sacramento, California. Mr. Weaver has more than 20 years experience in the areas of motor vehicle emissions and alternative fuels, with a heavy focus on diesel emissions. He has contributed to the phasing-out of leaded gasoline in five countries (including the U.S.) and the development of diesel control programs from Bangkok to Buenos Aires. He led the team that developed and commercialized EF&EE’s RAVEM on-board vehicle-emission measurement system, and has used that system to measure in-use emissions from trucks, buses, ferryboats, locomotives, and other mobile equipment using diesel and alternative fuels. Mr. Weaver holds an M.S. in mechanical engineering from MIT and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Berkeley.
David P. Cooper
Advisor & IP Attorney – Mr. Cooper has substantial experience in IP prosecution, licensing and litigation. His technical background is in chemistry and materials science, and his legal experience has involved IP work concerning a wide variety of technologies, art and brands. His firm, Kolisch, Hartwell, PC–a nearly 60-year-old firm specializing in IP–is based in Portland, with a Palo Alto office and a long list of both foreign and domestic clients.