Plenary Panel
World Trends and Sustainability Issues
Bill Hudson 
Bill Hudson is a principal and founder of The ProExporter Network (PRX), a consulting firm in US grain market analysis. Bill was a pioneer in using satellite-based mapping techniques in the study of grain flows, and today PRX is a major provider of site feasibility studies to the corn ethanol industry. Prior to starting PRX in 1988, Bill was senior vice president of business research for The Andersons of Maumee, Ohio. In the 1980s, he served on a number of national panels concerning world food and fuel, including the 1981 DOE “Biomass Panel” chaired by David Pimentel, and the 1982 AAAS “Committee on World Population, Resources and the Environment,” chaired by Donella Meadows. Bill has published numerous articles on world food and fuel, and several books on agribusiness forecasting, including Business Without Economists; An Irreverent Guide (Amacom, 1987) and Intellectual Capital; How to Build It, Enhance It, and Use It (Wiley, 1993). Bill holds a bachelors degree in mathematics, English and history and a masters degree in English from the University of Kansas.
Daniel Kowalski
Daniel Kowalski is an associate at LECG, a global expert services firm that provides
independent expert testimony, studies, and strategic advisory services. Kowalski works
primarily on issues related to the economics of biofuels and agribusiness. He earned an M.A.
in Agricultural Economics from Pennsylvania State University and a B.S. in Natural Resource
Management from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining LECG in 2006, Kowalski was a
research assistant at Penn State, where his work was focused on agricultural trade policy.
Scott Hughes
Scott Hughes brings over 15 years of governmental affairs, public service, and
political experience to the Director of Governmental Affairs position at the National
Biodiesel Board (NBB). Hughes’ professional career began in Washington, D.C. as a
staff member to Missouri Congressman Harold Volkmer. He was responsible for monitoring
transportation and communications related issues, as well as formulating and implementing an
effective communications program.
Hughes also has extensive state government and political experience as a result of his work with
Missouri Lieutenant Governor Roger Wilson. He served as Finance Director for the Lt.
Governor’s successful 1996 re-election campaign, as well as in Governor Wilson’s
administration following the death of Governor Mel Carnahan. Hughes served as a personal
advisor to Governor Wilson, briefing the Governor on issues surrounding a complex series of
transitions, appointment of a United States Senator, gubernatorial appointments, as well as being
the primary liaison for the Governor to the leadership of both houses of the Missouri General
Assembly.
Hughes’ public service career includes work in the California State Legislature. Hughes
served as Legislative Assistant to the Assembly Speaker pro Tem. In this position, Hughes was
the lead staff member on legislative and regulatory issues pertaining to the budget,
transportation, redistricting, and special Assembly leadership projects.
In addition, Hughes’ professional experience also includes private sector governmental
affairs work. As Legislative Director for the Missouri Laborers’ Lobbying Organization,
he served as the primary lobbyist representing over 10,000 members of the Laborer’s
International Union of North America in the Missouri General Assembly and Executive Branch.
Hughes has worked for the National Biodiesel Board since 2002 in a regulatory affairs capacity.
He has been involved in all levels of regulatory and legislative matters, including establishing
the NBB’s Washington D.C. federal affairs office in 2006.
Scott Hughes brings over 15 years of governmental affairs, public service, and political experience to the Director of Governmental Affairs position at the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). Hughes’ professional career began in Washington, D.C. as a staff member to Missouri Congressman Harold Volkmer. He was responsible for monitoring transportation and communications related issues, as well as formulating and implementing an effective communications program.
Hughes also has extensive state government and political experience as a result of his work with Missouri Lieutenant Governor Roger Wilson. He served as Finance Director for the Lt. Governor’s successful 1996 re-election campaign, as well as in Governor Wilson’s administration following the death of Governor Mel Carnahan. Hughes served as a personal advisor to Governor Wilson, briefing the Governor on issues surrounding a complex series of transitions, appointment of a United States Senator, gubernatorial appointments, as well as being the primary liaison for the Governor to the leadership of both houses of the Missouri General Assembly.
Hughes’ public service career includes work in the California State Legislature. Hughes served as Legislative Assistant to the Assembly Speaker pro Tem. In this position, Hughes was the lead staff member on legislative and regulatory issues pertaining to the budget, transportation, redistricting, and special Assembly leadership projects.
In addition, Hughes’ professional experience also includes private sector governmental affairs work. As Legislative Director for the Missouri Laborers’ Lobbying Organization, he served as the primary lobbyist representing over 10,000 members of the Laborer’s International Union of North America in the Missouri General Assembly and Executive Branch.
Hughes has worked for the National Biodiesel Board since 2002 in a regulatory affairs capacity. He has been involved in all levels of regulatory and legislative matters, including establishing the NBB’s Washington D.C. federal affairs office in 2006.