Tech Entrepreneurs to Debate if Cleantech's Time Is Now

WHAT:

Tech experts are gathering to argue the question "Has Cleantech Finally Arrived?" at the Cleantech Open National Conference. Alex Beavers, Ph.D., executive director of SRI Ventures, will debate in the point-counter point Oxford-style afternoon session. The audience will have a chance to vote.

WHEN:     

Thursday, June 21, 2012

2:55 – 3:25 p.m.

WHERE:     

Santa Clara Convention Center

5001 Great America Parkway

Santa Clara, CA

(408) 748-7000

WHO:         

Alex Beavers, Ph.D., is the executive director of SRI Ventures. In this role, he is responsible for commercializing cleantech, advanced materials, and systems technologies from SRI International through new venture creation or technology licensing. He is a veteran high-technology executive and entrepreneur.

Previously, Beavers was the founding CEO of Artificial Muscle, Inc., where he led the company for two years after it was spun out of SRI. Prior to founding Artificial Muscle, he was CEO of Thomson Industries, a global linear motion systems company based in New York. Beavers has also been CEO of ITP Systems, a factory floor systems integration company, CEO of Applicon, Inc., one of the original CAD/CAM systems companies, CEO of Schlumberger Automation Systems Asia, and General Manager of the General Electric Vision Systems Business. In addition to these CEO positions, he was a Managing Partner in the Consulting Business at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he led the Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management practices. He has also served on the Board of Directors of several high-tech startup companies.

Beavers has more than 25 papers published in technical journals and trade magazines. In addition, he authored the book, Roadmap to the e-Factory, and served as the editor for the book, Life Wins! He received a B.S. from Vanderbilt University, an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Houston, and an MBA from Boston University.