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URI Energy Center

Clean Transportation Education Project

Speaker Biographies

Rich Cregar, N.C. State/ Wake Technical Community College
Rich Cregar is a GlaxoSmithKline Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Emerging Issues at N.C. State University and an Instructor in Automotive Systems Technologies and Green Transportation Technologies at Wake Technical Community College. In addition to teaching, Mr. Cregar develops and presents Continuing Education workshops dealing with the production of BioDiesel, Clean Diesel Technology, Vehicle Emissions Systems, Hybrid Electric Drive Systems and Electric Vehicles every year. Mr. Cregar has also written dozens of articles about renewable fuels, advanced drive systems and workforce development for Green Transportation. He is an active member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) and the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC). At Wake Tech he is a member of the Faculty Senate and sits on the President's Advisory Committee on Renewable Fuels at Shaw University. Mr. Cregar also is a Consultant and Technical Trainer for Miles Electric Vehicles, LLC. Of Santa Monica, CA. He served for eight years as a City Council Member in the cities of Lisbon and Mt. Vernon, Iowa and has many years of experience in planning, zoning and economic development issues. Prior to joining the Faculty at Wake Tech in 2006 Mr. Cregar served as the National Instructor and Research Associate at the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium at West Virginia University. He also serves on the Johnston County Board of Adjustment, the Upper Coastal Plain Regional Planning Commission (NCDOT) and sings Bass in the NC Master Chorale.

Nat Harris, Production Manager , Newport Biodiesel
www.newportbiodiesel.com
Nat Harris has had a life long interest in the automotive and marine industry. He previously worked for Block Island Maritime, a Newport non-profit organization that funds educational maritime and environmental programs for children. He worked as a Technician with both an independent Porsche restoration shop and BMW of San Francisco. Later, he worked as Service Manager for a Saab dealership. He is an avid boater and lived aboard his 52' Irish Trawler for three years with his wife Jennifer and two children while managing a marina in Southwest Florida. His focus the past couple of years has been the development of his own biodiesel processor which provides fuel for his personal vehicles and heating oil for his home. A graduate of Connecticut College in New London, CT, Nat lives in Newport.

Randy Lohr, Vice President, Guardian Fuel Systems
www.guardianfuel.com
Randy & Jamie Lohr began Guardian Fuel & Energy Systems, Inc. in 1993. Randy brought his management experience in the oil heat industry combined with his mechanical aptitude (a stint as a marine mechanic didn't hurt!). Jamie added her commitment to environmental protection, sustainable living and interest in alternative energy sources. Both believe that best business practice means to do what is right. Guardian Fuel is a member of the National Oil Heat Research Alliance to provide benefits through consumer education. NORA has launched an ambitious research program to improve both fuel and equipment, to create an improved environment for oil heat customers over the coming years. Also an associate member of the National Biodiesel Board, Guardian Fuel stays informed on the latest research and development of biodiesel in the United States, to ensure biodiesel fuel quality for a seamless transition from standard petroleum fuels, to today's clean-burning, American produced, BioHeat and BioDiesel.

Jim Malloy, Sustainable Biodiesel Distributor, T.H. Malloy and Sons
www.thmalloyandsonsfuel.com
Seven years ago Jim joined T.H. Malloy and Sons as an alternative energy consultant and helped in the transition of switching their fleet of home heating fuel delivery trucks to run on Biodiesel and deliver Bioheat. Jim is also the designer and builder of an off-grid, fossil fuel free, wind/solar powered home. He previously worked as a Backcountry Educator in National Wilderness areas. He has been interested in sustainable solutions since the Carter administration.

Bob Cerio, University of Rhode Island and National Biodiesel Board
www.biodiesel.org
Throughout his career, Bob has led the charge for energy efficiency and environmental protection. He was instrumental in bringing biodiesel to heat the Warwick School Department's 29 facilities and run its entire bus fleet. Bob has obtained over $1 million in energy conservation and alternative energy resource grants to implement several alternative energy projects and augment the district's overall program. These included the use of renewable energy projects and augment the districts's overall program. These included the use of renewable energy resources such as solar PV, solar thermal, wind turbine, and alternative fuels. He currently is the Energy Resource Consultant for the Providence, RI based Hudson Companies. Bob also serves as a technical consultant to the National Biodiesel Board.