“Venki’s executive level experience in the industrial gas sector, as well as his leadership in the hydrogen economy is key for our Board,” CEO/President Eric Apfelbach said. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge about hydrogen business development on a global basis and will be a real asset to the board of directors.”

Dr. Raman said, “I am excited to be participating in a company with the

potential to make such a significant impact on the renewable energy market. Virent’s development of the Aqueous Phase Reforming platform will allow them to target both near term fuel markets as well as future hydrogen energy systems.”

Dr. Raman is President of Protium Energy Technologies, a consultancy service in the field of hydrogen, fuel cells and alternative energy, based in Allentown, PA. He is a world renowned expert in the field of hydrogen energy. Previously while at Air Products, he had over twenty five years of experience in various alternative energy developments, with leadership roles in R&D, technology development and commercialization of new technology.

He is a Trustee and former Chairman of the Board of the National Hydrogen Association based in Washington, DC. He currently serves as an advisor to the Technology Advancement Program of the South Coast Air Quality Management District in California. Dr. Raman has been involved in the development of the U.S. Hydrogen Roadmap as well those of the States of Florida, New York, and South Carolina. He has participated in the development of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, as well as the Blue Print for the California Hydrogen Highway Network. He recently served as an advisor to the Indo-US Science Technology Forum on Energy Technology R&D.

After graduation with High Distinction from the University of Madras, India with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Dr. Raman obtained M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington-Seattle.

ABOUT THE COMPANY
Virent Energy Systems, Inc., headquartered in Madison, WI, is developing Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) systems for distributed generation of hydrogen, fuel gases and other high value chemicals. APR uses low cost, renewable feedstocks like sugar and glycerol from biodiesel production.