WERC Statewide Wood Energy Team
Team Members
Jingxin Wang, Professor and Associate Director, Renewable Materials and Bioenergy,
Division of Forestry and Natural Resources (DFNR), WVU
Dr. Wang received his Ph.D. in Forest Resource Management from the University of
Georgia. Dr. Wang has 15 years of experience in wood energy, including woody biomass
utilization, harvest and logistics, energy conversions, economic and life cycle
analysis, commercialization, and community outreach.
Shawn Grushecky, Professor and Associate Director, Appalachian Hardwood Center, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources (DFNR), WVU
Dr. Grushecky received his Ph.D. in Wood Science from West Virginia University. He has more than 15 years of experience in wood energy, biomass estimation and feasibility evaluation, community outreach, development of industry partnership, and commercialization.
Thomas Basden, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, WVU Extension
Tom has 30 years of service at WVU including experience of working with WV poultry farmers to evaluate the feasibility of generating poultry house heat from gasification of poultry litter and woody waste materials.
David DeVallance, Associate Professor, Wood Science, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources (DFNR), WVU
Dr. DeVallance received his Ph.D. in Wood Science from Oregon State University and has 12+ years of wood products industrial experience. His areas of expertise include: biomass processing and feasibility evaluations.
Joe Moritz, Professor and Extension Specialist, WVU Extension
Dr. Moritz has more than 20 years of experience in poultry production and biomass heating.
Greg Henthorn and Travis Buggey, Project Engineer, Kinetic Star, Inc.
Both Mr. Henthorn and Mr. Buggey have more than 20 years of experience in engineering assessments, financing, and energy project development.
Lew McCreery, Biomass Coordinator,WERC, USDA Forest Service
Mr. McCreery has more than 20 years of experience in forest biomass management and wood energy project development.
Dale Walker, President, WV Poultry Growers Association
Mr. Walker has been in WV poultry industry for more than 20 years.
Mike Weaver, President, Contract Poultry Growers Association (CPGA) of Virginias
Mr. Weaver has 15+ years of experience in poultry industry.
Jesse Gandee, Rural Business Specialist, USDA Rural Development, Morgantown, WV
Mr. Gandee has more than six years of experience in biomass energy promotion and development in rural communities.
Jerry Ours, Poultry Specialist, WV Department of Agriculture (WVDOA)
Jerry has 20+ years of experience in poultry production and management, and works with WV Poultry Association (WVPA).
Don Wagner, General Manager, Appalachian Wood Pellets Inc.
Mr. Wagner has 10 years of experience in energy products manufacturing and wood energy.
Marten Jenkins, President, Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF), Inc.
Mr. Jenkins has 20+ years of experience in energy project financing and investment.
George Hudak, Timber Program Manager, Monongahela National Forest, USDA Forest Service
Mr. Hudak has 20+ years of experience in management of timber lands.
Jeff Herholdt, Director, West Virginia Division of Energy (WVDOE)
Mr. Herholdt has 20+ years of experience in energy management, efficiency, and biomass utilization for energy.
Randy Dye, Director, West Virginia Division of Forestry (WVDOF)
Mr. Dye has 20+ years of experience in forest management and biomass utilization for value-added products and energy.