Colin South, Rick Holley Keynote at BioPro Expo in March 2011

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Colin South, Ph.D., of Lignol Innovations Corp. and Rick Holley of Plum Creek will deliver keynote addresses at the BioPro Expo & Marketplace™ and the International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference (IBBC), which will take place in Atlanta on March 14-16, 2011, at the Atlanta Hilton.

BioPro Expo is the largest conference and exhibition in the Southeastern United States covering the full biomass processing spectrum for multiple industries, from supply through demand and utilization. In-depth educational sessions are backed by a trade show focused on cutting-edge technology, products and services available today. This event examines practical methodologies for quickly transitioning products, residues and waste streams into energy and biofuel.

Dr. South has diverse experience in the area of engineering, management and entrepreneurship. A chemical and bioprocess engineer by training, he has held a range of technical and leadership roles in the engineering, chemical, food and biotech industries. Active in the alternate fuels and chemicals area for much of his career, Dr. South graduated with a degree in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. He received his Ph.D. in Bioprocess Engineering at Dartmouth College, completing his thesis in the area of cellulosic ethanol production.

Currently he is the Chief Technology Officer of Lignol Innovations Corp., a Burnaby, B.C.-based company developing green fuels and chemicals from lignin, a multifunctional naturally occurring aromatic polymer. Additionally, he is the CEO of Novogy, a renewable fuels company based in Cambridge, Mass., and was the founding President of Mascoma Corporation, an industry-leading company developing and commercializing advanced biotechnology solutions for second-generation cellulosic ethanol.

Holley was elected President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Plum Creek in 1994. Prior to assuming this role, he served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 1985. Holley began his career at General Electric Company in 1974, where he served in a variety of financial management positions. In 1983, he joined Burlington Northern Inc. where he worked as assistant vice president, corporate audit. He held that position until joining Plum Creek in 1985.

He received a bachelor of science degree in accounting and business administration from San Jose State University. He also completed an advanced education program at Northwestern University. In addition to serving on Plum Creek's board, Holley serves on several private and not-for-profit boards including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc., National Alliance of Forest Owners and the Blethen Corporation.

More information about BioPro Expo & Marketplace is available online.