Speakers

Charles Ransler, IV is the co-founder of Husk Power Systems (HPS), a for-profit company that cost-effectively converts rice husks into electricity. HPS utilizes a proprietary technology to run 35-100 kilowatt mini power plants, delivering pay-for-use electricity to un-electrified villages in India's "Rice Belt." HPS' five pilot projects have become operationally profitable within six months, delivering sustainable, environmentally-friendly, low-cost energy that is dramatically improving the lives of rural Indians. Ransler was most recently co-founder and CEO of Topik Solutions, Inc. a software firm that created market-defining digital publishing and advertising systems for the online content industry. He is also the co-founder of The Second Road.org, a non-profit working to help the millions of Americans with addictions recover together online. He was the recipient of the Batten Foundation Entrepreneurial Scholarship for the Darden School of Business and will graduate in 2009. He is currently leading the business strategy and planning efforts for the firm.