Utah State University
Burdette is the Extension Irrigation Specialist for Utah. He has worked throughout the Western U.S. in irrigation engineering consulting and research. He focuses on providing information and tools to help Utah’s agricultural producers. His areas of expertise include irrigation system design and performance and quantifying irrigation water use through measurement and modeling.
Exit Ventures
Paul is Managing Partner at Exit Ventures, an early stage venture fund that creates strategic partnerships and strategic exits for its cleantech and sustainability portfolio. Over his career, Paul has invested over $3 billion in almost 100 different companies as a strategic investor. Paul balances 1) strategic analysis and strategy development, 2) creating and implementing processes that map to company strategy and 3) team leadership, consistent execution and continuous improvement to create outstanding results.
Dachnik Aquaponics
Inventor, designer, engineering, entrepreneur and patent owner. I’ve worked for myself since my early twenties and never once been fired. Currently the COO of Dachnik Aquaponics.
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
Craig W Buttars, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, most recently served as the Cache County Executive for the past 6 years. Early in his married life he became involved in the Utah Farm Bureau and served there as the State Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee Chairman and later the Cache County Farm Bureau President. These experiences led to an opportunity to run for the state Legislature in 1996, at which time he was elected to represent Utah House District #3. He served in the State Legislature for 10 years, from 1997 to 2006.
Utah Tech University
An executive-level professional with over 20 years of experience in development, marketing, communications and public relations. I use my skills as a brand strategist, administrator, connector, fundraiser and leader. My background includes enhancing organizations’ image and base, building community and board relationships, stewarding donors, working with the media, engaging high-level volunteers and overseeing operations. I am a collaborator who thrives in strategic partnerships.
Halio
Michael, Co-Founder of HALIO, merges his expertise in genetics and business strategy to drive commercialization of their patented agribio solution, tackling salt’s detrimental impact on crops. HALIO, a university spinout, has most recently won several awards from Brigham Young University’s Innovator of the Year and Social Venture Competitions, along with Harvard’s Social Enterprise Competition.
Frontier RNG
I am a goal-oriented and results-driven Senior Business Development Expert, specializes in commercialization of agro-technology projects. Experienced in international agriculture business & trade. Ensures integration of secondary data insights with primary market research insights to inform business decisions. Skilled in project actualization from the ground up; starting with business plans, through market research and ending with project implementation.
Utah Department of Natural Resources
Joel Ferry was appointed by Governor Spencer Cox in June 2022 as the executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. His appointment came at a critical time when extreme drought and wildfires threatened the state. He leads an agency of about 2,500 employees from eight divisions and two offices that manage and protect Utah’s natural resources.
Arieli Capital
Randy is a New York Times Best-Selling Author, investor, entrepreneur, and best known for his World-Class business relationships.
Randy is the Chief Strategy Officer at Arieli Capital based out of New York, Israel, and London. He also sits on the board for the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Alta Bank, and others.
Partner Arieli Capital
As partner and head of Arieli innovation, Or leads Arieli’s global innovation activities including its growth and investment platforms generating high net worth, pipelines, validations, portfolios and investments opportunities.
Under Or’s leadership, Arieli Innovation grew to become a global leader trusted by family offices, banks, industry brands, governments and academic institutions to build and lead their official innovation and investment platforms in Israel, US and Europe focusing on diverse verticals such as: AgFood-tech, Ocean/shipping, AI, Fintech, Deser-Tech, Climate, Biotech, Travel-tech, Fashion, Design, Retail and more.
Ramat-Negev Desert Agro-Research Center
I am the Director of The Ramat-Negev Desert Agro-Research Center (RNDARC) and Chief Agronomist of the Innovation Center FrontierRNG at The Ramat Negev Agro-research center, located in the Negev desert area of Israel. I manage applied agricultural research projects focused on the development of advanced agriculture in arid conditions, irrigated with brackish water. My position enables me to establish a unique cooperation between farmers, academic institutions, and governmental agencies. This confluence of very different fields excites me because it facilitates innovation and new solutions for the climate challenged global 21st century agriculture.
US Patent and Trademark Office
As the Regional Director of the Rocky Mountain Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), since January 2016, Mollybeth (Molly) Kocialski carries out the strategic direction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, and is responsible for leading the Rocky Mountain regional office. Focusing on the nine states within this region and actively engaging with the community, Ms. Kocialski ensures the USPTO’s initiatives and programs are tailored to the region’s unique ecosystem of industries and stakeholders.
Utah Tech University
Dr. Michael Lacourse has served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Utah Tech University for the past eight years, overseeing a period of significant transformation within the Division of Academic Affairs. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in reshaping the organizational structure to meet the demands of a comprehensive university, instituting new policies, expanding the management team, and spearheading the development and implementation of over 150 academic programs across all levels.
US Patent and Trademark Office
David joined the USPTO in January 2009, and examined patents relating to information security and cryptography. He joined the outreach team in various roles at the Rocky Mountain Regional Office in 2016 and 2018, and transitioned to the Assistant Regional Director in February 2020. The Rocky Mountain USPTO services Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. He has B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and a Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law. He is also a member of the Oklahoma State Bar. He enjoys all sports and outdoor activities including snowboarding, camping, and all sorts of fishing.
Overland Distributing
With over 50 years of agronomic experience, mostly in horticulture, we specialize in irrigation, including pumping and filtration. After spending several years working on new product development, we established ourselves as a leader in the industry when it comes to 2-wire communication and TDR soil moisture sensing technology. These sensors are highly accurate and have undergone testing by USDA, NRCS, and university research labs. Currently, we are working on pioneering the next generation of passive water efficiency technology-a true next agent of change. Our goal is to take agronomics efficiencies and production to the next level naturally.
Arieli Capital
I am devoted to assisting startups to generate a positive global impact, one idea at a time—Identifying promising international startups and executing the due diligence and investment process for Arieli Capital, and supporting Arieli Capitals graduates in coordinating the precise timing to connect with international corporate partners and scale to global markets.🌎
Using my fluent Hebrew, English, and Spanish skills, I cultivated relationships with over 850 startups worldwide and created a collaborative international network of industry leaders. This experience serves me to guide 164 startups personally.
Govenor’s Office Economic Opportunity, Utah
Ryan Starks was appointed executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
by Governor Spencer J. Cox on January 12, 2023. In this role, Starks oversees Gov. Cox’s vision
of providing economic opportunities for all Utahns. The office supports business, industry, and
community growth through various financial incentives and grant programs. The office fosters
innovation and entrepreneurship, supports targeted industries, promotes responsible tourism, and
works to strengthen Utah’s diverse workforce.
Arieli Capital
Alternative Investments professional with nearly 20 years of experience across Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Hedge Funds. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with leading financial institutions and investment boutiques across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
My broad experience ranges from investment analysis to portfolio advisory and business development. I also worked in an operating capacity for several VC backed portfolio companies. My expertise lies in both direct and fund investments.
