Expert Speakers

Andrew LipowPresident, Lipow Oil Associates

Andrew Lipow is the President of Lipow Oil Associates, a consulting firm which he founded in May 2004. Lipow Oil Associates specializes in both the oil markets and renewable fuels industries. He provides expertise in crude oil and petroleum product trading opportunities and provides insight into the RFS, RINs, and LCFS programs. Mr. Lipow gained refining and trading experience during his career at Vitol, Basis Petroleum, J. Aron and Amoco and has provided consulting services to biofuel trade groups. He is a frequent guest on Fox Business News, CNBC and Bloomberg Canada, and has appeared on the nightly newscasts of the major networks. He is frequently cited by industry trade publications as well as The Wall Street Journal and Reuters for comments regarding recent news events.

Sam WadeDirector of Public Policy, Renewable Natural Gas Coalition

Sam Wade serves as the Vice President of Public Policy at the Renewable Natural Gas Coalition. Previously Mr. Wade worked as Chief of the Transportation Fuels Branch at the Californian Air Resources Board, where he oversaw the Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program for four years. In other roles at CARB, Mr. Wade served as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs, developed the Cap-and-Trade rule, and authored portions of California’s first Greenhouse Gas Scoping Plan. He’s also worked in energy policy at Pacific Gas and Electric and with a bioenergy/biochar start-up. Sam holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from U.C. Davis, a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii, and an M.P.A in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University.

Monte ShawExecutive Director, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

Mr. Shaw has worked on behalf of the biofuels industry for 25 years, serving as the Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) since 2005. Working with a team of three colleagues to pursue IRFA’s mission of fostering the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry, Mr. Shaw is responsible for the management, policy and political agenda, and trade efforts of IRFA.

Previously, Mr. Shaw spent nearly six years as Director of Communications for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) in Washington, DC. He began his career by working for the campaigns and official offices of numerous candidates and elected officials, including Steve Forbes, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley, U.S. Senator Bob Dole, and U.S. Rep. Jim Lightfoot. Mr. Shaw was raised on a corn and soybean farm just outside of the southwest Iowa town of Shenandoah, where he still helps his father and brother bring in the harvest. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He currently resides in West Des Moines with his wife Tina, daughter Eden, son Max, and rescue dog Jackson.

Brian WernerExecutive Director, MN Bio-Fuels

Brian Werner was appointed Executive Director of MN Bio-Fuels in September 2022. 

A native of Marshall, MN, Mr. Werner’s prior experience includes working for Sen. Amy Klobuchar as Deputy Legislative Director/Senior Legislative Assistant for renewable energy and agriculture. Throughout that time, he supported the Senator’s work to protect mandatory funding for Farm Bill energy title programs, maintain stability in the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard, provide economic relief for biofuel producers negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and secure federal investment in biofuel infrastructure. 

Mr. Werner also spent time on Capitol Hill in the offices of former U.S. Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota and Congressman Collin Peterson (MN-7th District). He received his BA from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and a master’s degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from American University in Washington, D.C.

Rich CooperVP, Business Development, NW Natural Resources

Mr. Cooper has over 25 years’ experience in project development and finance, with a focus on renewable natural gas (RNG) over the last decade.  He has a successful track record of developing projects in both the landfill and dairy RNG sectors. Prior to joining NWNR, he worked for DTE Vantage where he was involved in a variety of project development and finance activities, including raising over $3 billion in tax equity financing from institutional investors.  Mr. Cooper began his career working for Bechtel Enterprises in Singapore, developing and financing private infrastructure projects.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Civil), a Master of Science in Engineering (Environmental) from Stanford University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Kurt KovarikVice President, Federal Affairs

Kurt serves as Vice President, Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America, leading members in advocating federal policies that support the industry’s growth. Since joining Clean Fuels Alliance America, Kurt has helped the industry secure a long-term extension of the biodiesel tax incentive, preserve important protections against unfair international trade and ensure the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard program.

Prior to joining Clean Fuels Alliance America, Kurt worked for more than 20 years in the office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), leading efforts on the Renewable Fuel Standard, the biodiesel tax incentive and increased use of clean fuels. An Iowa native, Kurt graduated from Luther College with a degree in political science.

David McCulloughPartner

David McCullough is a partner in the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman.  For the past 15 years, he has been a leading lawyer in the production and trade of renewable fuels and the implementation of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and state low carbon fuel standards.  He represents clients on a range of transactions driven by the ongoing transition to a low carbon economy, including the development and acquisition of renewable natural gas facilities, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel refineries, advanced recycling facilities, hydrogen production facilities, carbon capture projects and reforestation projects.  For each of the past four years, he has been recognized as having a leading practice in the area of climate change law by Chambers and Partners.