Not only have we transitioned ABC’s Operator School to a very interactive virtual
platform (these are not just webinars!), we have also completely overhauled our content
to make it clearer, richer and more helpful than before. Operator School is designed by
operators for operators. We want you to be able to optimize the performance of your
digester and to avoid costly mistakes.

If you are an operator, operations manager or involved in the daily or weekly operation
of your digester, please join us on July 22-23 at 1-4:30pm ET each day for the first
virtual ABC Operator School covering for Modules 1-3. This content is the foundation
for everything else we teach in ABC’s Operator School and essential knowledge.
Modules 1-3 will cover the Fundamentals of Anaerobic Digestion, Applied
Fundamentals of AD, and Math for Operators. As the names suggest, we’ll bring you in
at the ground level, but will get you up to speed quickly and dive into the details you
need to maximize digester performance.

July 22-23, 2020
 

12:45-4:30 PM ET, Daily

Online

Craig Frear, Director of Research and Technology
Regenis

Dr. Craig Frear was recruited earlier this year from Washington State University (WSU) where he was instrumental in developing one of the nation’s most prolific applied science and engineering programs in organic residuals and animal manure treatment for sustainable reuse.

Over the last decade, Dr. Frear’s research has focused on enhancements to anaerobic digestion, biochemical recovery from waste and development of bio-refinery principles for rural and urban communities.

He holds five patents (with two pending) including an ammonia stripping system to remove ammonia from wastewater without the use of chemicals.

In addition to his research, Dr. Frear is the author of over sixty peer-reviewed publications on methane capture to create biogas and nutrient management to allow liquid from manure to be safely reused. He has also served as an investigator on numerous federal and state grants in the same scientific classifications.

Craig holds a PhD in Engineering Science from Washington State University, a MA in Educational Administration from Columbia University, and BA in Chemistry and Theology from St. Olaf College.

 

Brian Langolf, Biogas Program Director
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Brian M. Langolf, M.S. has 10 years of biogas operations, research and laboratory analysis, and interpretation experience.  He currently works at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh serving as the Biogas Program Director.  This role involves technical oversight of biogas operations, conduct biogas research and provide digester training and consulting services, and internal and external program outreach.  This program supports many academic and sustainability programs on campus and in the local community.  Brian has been a member of the American Biogas Council (ABC) since 2012 and has currently served one term on the board of directors.

Bernie Sheff, VP of Engineering
Montrose Environmental Group

Bernie Sheff holds both Bachelors and Masters of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University. He has been a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan since 1988 and is also registered in the states of Massachusetts, Ohio and Indiana. He started his career with STS Consultants (STS) in 1984 as an assistant project engineer. He became the VP of the Michigan region for STS and completed his first digestion project as part of a 1 MGD wastewater treatment facility in 1991. This facility a large beef abattoir in SW Michigan was one of many projects in the animal processing arena including systems at duck, chicken and hog operations.

Since early 2000 he has focused on nutrient recovery, sand separation and digestion in the agricultural market, most significantly the dairy industry and the co-digestion of residuals from confined feeding operations and food processing residuals. A 3 year board member, in November of 2014 he was elected as Chairman of the Board of the American Biogas Council.