Arkenol, Inc.- Our People

Our People

Arnie Klann President
James (Jake) Drews Financial Advisor	James (Rus) Miller Operations Advisor
Dr. William A. Farone Technical Advisor
Dr. Jeffrey B. Horowitz Technical Advisor	Necy Sumait Manager of Regulatory Affairs
John P. Coyle Contract Director	Ramesh Shah Engineering Advisor
Judith W. Archbold Legal Counsel	Dr. Max S. Willis Technical Advisor
Robert Serfass Technical Advisor	Dr. Yuri Kholkin Technical Advisor
David Chon Technical Advisor

Arnold R. Klann - President: Twenty-three years of experience in corporate management, project finance, engineering, design, construction, start-up, environmental permitting, and real estate acquisition. Mr. Klann is the Chief Executive Officer for both Arkenol, Inc., and ARK Energy. As co-founder of both companies he has been responsible for the successful development or acquisition of over 610 megawatts of natural gas-fired cogeneration facilities worth $850 million, and been the driving force behind the research and development effort leading to the commercialization of the Arkenol technology. Prior to founding ARK Energy, he successfully launched three businesses and managed complex teams for project development and operation. Areas of technical expertise include cogeneration development using natural gas-fired and solid fuels technologies, ocean thermal energy conversion, and offshore oil exploration design and operations. As Vice President of Engineering and Product Development for GWF Power Systems Company, led technical commercialization, development and permitting activities for eight petroleum coke and coal-fired power plants worth over $650 million.
B.S. (electrical engineering) 1972, Lakeland College TOP
James R. (Rus) Miller - Operations Advisor: Over 20 years of experience in business development and in the operations and maintenance of power plants including hands on operations, design review, and start-up. Primary focus has been on complex new technologies. Technological experience includes circulating fluid bed combustion, biomass, coal and solar powered thermal conversion, nuclear, and hydroelectric power plants. Mr. Miller is responsible for all of Arkenol's technology development activities, and as general manager of the Arkenol Acid Hydrolysis Pilot Plant, has overseen the advancement of the company's proprietary technology to a state of commercial readiness He is responsible for all project site selection, feedstock procurement, and strategic partnership development activities. As General Manager for Sithe/Energies, responsible for the start-up and ongoing business operations of two first-of-their-kind circulating-bed combustor plants and two hydroelectric plants valued at over $200 million. As President of LUZ Engineering Corporation, was responsible for the timely start-up of the world's two largest solar electric power plants (80 MW each), and directed the business activities for the 355 MW, $1.5 billion, solar power generation company. Held positions of Chief Engineer on a nuclear submarine and Special Operations Planner for the Royal Navy (U.K.).
B.S. (nuclear engineering); B.A. (engineering) 1974, Texas A& M University; U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School and Submarine Officer School 1976; University of California at San Diego (material resource planning and business management) 1985 TOP
James T. Drews - Financial Advisor: Specialist in project finance, operational and economic optimization of potential development projects and prospective acquisitions. Recent experience includes managing, from early development through full commercial operation and subsequent sale and transfer of ARK's interest, the financial negotiations and analysis for two cogeneration facilities (225 total megawatts and $300 million in project financing). Participated fully in the negotiations and communications with debt lenders for the above projects, and in the refinancing of a separate $30 million, 40 megawatt cogeneration facility. Mr. Drews is responsible for managing all financial analysis for Arkenol projects. Prior to joining ARK in 1992, was responsible for developing mutual fund portfolio investment strategies using technical financial market models. While previously employed by the Northrop Aircraft Division, specialized in propulsion-airframe design integration; also designed and operated complex computer programs to model thermodynamic phenomena of hypersonic transport and advanced military aircraft concepts.
B.A.E. (aerospace engineering) 1986, Georgia Institute of Technology; M.S.A.A. (aeronautics and astronautics) 1987, Stanford University; M.B.A. (finance) 1992, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business TOP
Jeffrey B. Horowitz, Ph.D. - Technical Advisor: Chemical/biochemical engineer with more than 14 years of diversified experience in the areas of chemical process design, process development and scale-up, and project engineering, for a variety of chemical oeprations and production facilities. Work experience has encompassed all levels of chemical processing, including bench, pilot and commodity chemical scale and both continuous and batch operating modes. Primary responsibilities with Arkenol include providing technical and engineering support for development, scale-up and plant construction, and coordinating project efforts between the company, research and development, and equipment vendors. Current job focus is on process engineering and design for the Arkenol acid hydrolysis pilot plant, scale-up, economic analysis and equipment selection for commercial acid hydrolysis facilities, and the engineering support of processes to convert paper to chemicals. Previous work experience consists of positions as a development engineer, senior process engineering and senior scientist in a variety of processing situations. Dr. Horowitz has process engineering experience in the continuous production of refined sugar, nitrogen based fertilizers and caprolactam, and batch production of specialty organic reagents and resins, and precious metal chemical products and catalysts. He also was responsible for the design, construction and operation of hazardous chemical batch processing facilities.
B.E. (Chemical Engineering) 1974, CCNY, M.S. (Chemical Engineering) 1978, Clarkson, Ph.D. (Chemical/BioChemical Engineering) 1992, UCLA; member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. TOP
William A. Farone, Ph.D. - Technical Advisor: Over 30 years of technical research experience in the alternative energy, chemical and biotechnology industries. Manages the Arkenol Technology Center focusing on the development of new chemical technology and biotechnology, and the optimization of existing chemical processes. Dr. Farone is the chief scientist and technical expert for all equipment application, feedstock processing and product development activities at the Arkenol Acid Hydrolysis Pilot Plant. His achievements in that role have already been awarded patent protection, and he has been the key scientific force behind the successful advancement of the acid hydrolysis technology to a state of commercial readiness. In addition to his Arkenol responsibilities, he serves as an expert witness in a wide variety of litigation relating to energy production, biotechnology, chemical measurements and environmental issues. Previously served as Director of Applied Research for Philip Morris, Inc., as Vice President of Research and Development for PVO International, Inc., and as Director of Scientific Research for the Lever Brothers Company. Also worked as an associate professor of chemistry at Virginia State University, as a physicist at the White Sands Missile Range, and as an engineer for the General Electric Company.
B.S. (chemistry) 1961; M.S. (chemistry) 1962; Ph.D. (physical chemistry) 1965, Clarkson University TOP
John P. Coyle - Contract Director: Over thirty years of experience in the power and process industries. Expert in all phases of management, engineering, design, construction, contract negotiations, start-up and operations of power projects. Responsible for negotiations and development of engineering, procurement, and constructions contracts for a 148.5 MW/12.6 MGPY gas-fired combined cycle electrical cogeneration and ethanol production plant being developed, by Arkenol, Inc., for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Mr. Coyle will oversee all design and construction contract negotiations for the Arkenol Acid Hydrolysis facilities. Previously, he served as President of Ultrasystems Engineers & Constructors, a company specializing in the development of cogeneration, small power production, ethanol refineries and alternative energy projects. Also served as Vice President of Power Division Kaiser Engineers. Responsible for all project activities for the design and construction management of power projects. Project Manager with Stone & Webster. TOP
Necy Sumait - Manager of Regulatory Affairs: Extensive background in regulatory and governmental affairs, particularly licensing and permitting of energy projects and compliance with requirements of federal, state and local agencies. Currently responsible for all permitting, land use and regulatory compliance issues for a 148.5 MW/12.6 MGPY gas-fired combined cycle electrical cogeneration and ethanol production plant being developed, by Arkenol, Inc., for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Ms. Sumait oversees all permitting and siting activities for all the Arkenol Acid Hydrolysis Facilities, ensuring compliance with all domestic and international regulatory and environmental requirements. Prior to joining the ARK group, was Vice President of Project Development for LUZ Development and Finance Corporation, the world's leading developer of commercial solar electric generating plants. While at LUZ, demonstrated expertise in numerous aspects of project management, development, siting, permitting, as well as familiarity with the financing, construction and operation of power projects. Managed the acquisition and cleared title on over 17,000 acres of land involving numerous public and private owners; administered power purchase contracts with utilities; and negotiated water and natural gas supply contracts with the local distribution companies. Successfully permitted eight projects totaling over 300 MW of installed capacity through the California Energy Commission.
B.S. (biology) 1980, DePaul University; M.B.A. (technological management) 1985, Illinois Institute of Technology TOP
Ramesh Shah, P.E. - Engineering Advisor: Over 35 years experience in process engineering of cogeneration and processing plants including design, start up and operations. Lead process engineer for a 148.5 MW/12.6 MGPY gas-fired combined cycle electrical cogeneration and ethanol production plant being developed, by Arkenol, Inc., for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Mr. Shah has been responsible for all equipment design and engineering for the Arkenol Acid Hydrolysis Pilot Plant and will oversee the equipment design and selection for all commercial acid hydrolysis facilities. Previously completed projects include a landfill gas-to-diesel fuel plant; a barley-to-ethanol plant; a paper-coating mixing plant; a 20 million gallon per year corn-to-ethanol plant; and two high fructose corn syrup plants. Also, established quality control department and trained quality control technicians for a new corn processing plant. As Deputy Plant Manager, was instrumental in converting dextrose manufacturing process from acid hydrolysis-to-enzyme process. Registered Professional Engineer.
B.S. (chemical engineering) 1960, University of Michigan TOP
Judith W. Archbold - Legal Counsel: More than nineteen years' legal experience in the areas of corporate law, securities, project development and project finance. Project development focus has included drafting and negotiation of joint venture agreements and other business contracts as well as due diligence documentation. Associated with Arkenol, Inc. and ARK Energy, Inc. since September 1995, Ms. Archbold serves as legal counsel for those companies with responsibility for managing their legal affairs. For nine years previously, she served as Vice President (and later, Senior Vice President) and General Counsel of Systemed, Inc., a publically-held prescription drug benefits provider, where she was responsible for that company's legal affairs, investor relations and human resources functions. Previously, she was in private practice with the law firm of Rutan & Tucker, where she specialized in corporate securities law and the representation of public and private business entities.
B.A. (history) 1975, UCLA; J.D. 1978, Loyola University, Los Angeles TOP
Max S. Willis, Ph.D. - Technical Advisor: Dr. Willis brings over 36 years of research and experience to Arkenol with a novel application of mathematical modelling to the filtration of viscous liquids. Dr. Willis' research has concentrated on developing a framework for multiphase systems that will provide the same organizational advantages that transport phenonmema provides for single phase systems. Current research interests are in the development of indirect procedures to determine the effective surface area of porous media and in the the application of the new filtration theory. Held positions as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies (University of Akron), Professor of Chemical Engineering (University of Akron), and Professor of Biomedical Engineering (University of Akron). Dr. Willis has authored and co-authored over 75 publications including books, articles, and proceedings on the topics of filtration and transport phenomena.
B.S.Ch.E. 1953, Penn State; M.S. Ch.E. 1959, Iowa State Univ.; Ph.D. 1962, Iowa State Univ.; Post Doctoral Studies (NSF) 1967, University of Wisconsin
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Robert W. Serfass, P.E. - Technical Advisor: Bob Serfass brings more than 40 years responsible experience in chemical process/plant development, chemical plant management, chemical plant design and construction, waste minimization , air emissions control and waste management. His areas of expertise include organic chemicals, foods, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, textile dying and printing, solvent reclamation, environmental audits, and waste minimization programs. During his career, Serfass has been employed Ciba Geigy Corporation, Hatco Division of W.R. Grace, Monsanto Chemical, Cowles Chemical Company, Nestle Corporation, and several other large chemical and engineering firms. He has held such positions as Technical Production Supervisor, Director of Development and Engineering, Chief Engineer, Director of Process Engineering, Corporate Director of Engineering Services, and President. For the past 20 years, Serfass has been in private practice in his own consulting firm, Marine Technology Corporation.
Within the context of his broad professional experience, Serfass has provided technical and production supervision for organic chemical manufacturing units where his duties included supervision of plant opertion with responsibilities for process improvements and maintenance. Serfass has developed a number of new chemical technologies, designed, constructed and started-up chemical facilities utiliting new technologies. In this capacity he worked with a number of new, diversified products in the organic chemical and food industries and developed new processes, process modifications, improved product quality, improved yields and minimized waste.
B.S.Ch.E., University of Missouri (Colombia); M.S. Ch.E., Ohio State University; Ph.D. studies (Chem. Eng.) Ohio State University, Professional Engineering (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada) TOP
Yuri Kholkin, Ph.D. - Technical Advisor: Dr. Kholkhin brings more than 40 years of Russian hydrolysis experience to Arkenol. Granted the equivalent of a Ph.D. in 1964 and 1974, Dr. Khohlkin has studied the production of furfurals and the chemical modification of wood, and provides Arkenol with the required knowledge to adjust hydrolysis conditions of various feedstocks for optimum yields. Dr. Kholkin holds the position of Professor of Hydrolysis and Head of Hydrolsyis Department at the Leningrad Forest Academy since 1975. Since 1976, Dr. Khonlin has published several textbooks and articles whose topics include wood chemistry, xylitol production, and the technology of hydrolysis.
B.S.Ch.E. 1952, Leningrad Forestry Academy; Ph.D. 1964, Leningrad Forestry Academy; 2nd Ph.D. 1974, Leningrad Forestry Academy;
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David Chon - Technical Advisor: President of David Chon Associates, Mr. Chon is a Mechanical Engineer with post-graduate studies in Solid Waste Management. Mr. Chon has a total of 24 years experience in Resource Recovery, Recycling, and Solid Waste Mangement including 21 years with National Ecology Company, a subsidiary of Babcock & Wilcox Company, where he served as Vice President and Chief Engineer. Mr. Chon has been awarded five patents by the U.S. Patent Office, for improvements in Solid Waste processing equipment (shredder design, and one for disc-screen improved separation efficiency). Mr. Chon has functioned in a variety of roles; including systems engineer and integrator, process design, and operations. His background covers the gambit in materials handling challenges for solid waste systems(including MRF, RDF processing, and waste-to-energy) at facilities ranging in size from 600 TPD to 2115 TPD. Mr. Chon's broad experience virtually insures that Arkenol can work with established equipment vendors to provide cost effective, dependable, and maintainable systems to separate recyclables, recover lignocellulosics from the waste stream, and produce a viable feedstock for the Arkenol process.
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Please contact us, we'd like to hear from you. If you have any questions or comments about this web site, send electronic mail to arkenol@aol.com.
Copyright � 1996 Arkenol, Inc.

Our People

Please contact us, we'd like to hear from you. If you have any questions or comments about this web site, send electronic mail to arkenol@aol.com.Copyright � 1996 Arkenol, Inc.

Please contact us, we'd like to hear from you. If you have any questions or comments about this web site, send electronic mail to arkenol@aol.com.
Copyright � 1996 Arkenol, Inc.