Aquifer Group, LLC
Staff: Associate and Key Staff
Associate and Key Staff
Charles Christopher
Director of Business and Water-Energy-Biomass Market Development
Formerly the Sr. VP of Innovations for BP, Charles comes to Aquifer Group as a partner with a Masters Degree in Forestry. Charles has over 35 years industry experience in all phases of improved oil recovery and is considered an international expert in the area. For a number of years, he has been involved in the capture and sequestration of CO2 to prevent its effects as a greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. He is co-leader of the Sequestration, Monitoring, and Verification team of the CO2 Capture Project and manages a number of specific projects in that team. He initiated international networks in association with the IEA Greenhouse Gas Program to bring together interested parties on the subjects of monitoring and verification of geological sequestration sites and to study the integrity of wellbores in the presence of CO2. He continues as a consultant to BP as their subsurface liaison for the BP-Ford Carbon Mitigation Initiative which is a 10 year program at Princeton University that involves carbon science, hydrogen economy, CO2 capture, and subsurface storage. Charles helped organize three regional geological sequestration centers (WESTCARB, Midwest - Battelle, and GCCC) and is now the BP representative to four of them in addition to the Gulf Coast Carbon Center.
In addition to using his extensive global contacts and relationships to educate and develop future business relationships, Charles will also oversee Aquifer Group's reservoir engineering and related alternative energy opportunities. Until a permanent manager is found, he will function as our Interim Director of the Biomass Feedstock Division to structure and provide leadership to develop that market.
In the future he will also work closely with Aquifer Group's research initiative and various research institutes and government agencies to develop and position our IR5™, GRFNet and DANOC sciences for deployment throughout watershed restoration, aquifer recharge, aquifer banking projects and biomass harvesting opportunities.
Richard J. Chidester, J.D.
Managing Director for Research
Richard comes to Aquifer Group with 18 years of experience at the senior program, business and IT development levels with the international research agency, Battelle Memorial Institute and its Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. While at Battelle he led multi-billion dollar research, technology transfer and business development projects similar to Aquifer Group's core competency, sciences, biomass and energy projects. As an internationally trained attorney, Richard also spent 11 years with the Department of State as a political advisor to ambassadors, senior political officer and Deputy Director involved with multiple projects throughout Latin America.
As the manager of our research program, Rick will interface with our university and government research and education alliances to secure and analyze data generated through Aquifer Groups Rangeland Water Harvesting and Aquifer Banking projects. Fluent in Spanish and with many contacts throughout Mexico he has accepted the interim task of directing our ongoing project discussions with the government of Mexico. As an attorney and expert in technology transfers he will participate in the development of our IR5™, GRFNet and DANOC sciences and technology and oversee all patents, protections and communication networks.
Chris Franchek
Interim Chief of Staff
Chris is an expert in executive level staff recruiting, sales force and leadership development. After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Engineering, he pursued a career in the United States Cavalry with service in Operation Desert Storm. Before leaving the military, he distinguished himself as leader of all Army recruiting engagements in New York City. Chris is currently Global Recuiting Manager (Manufacturing) for Cummins Engines, Inc. He is also a noted global motivational speaker, completing numerous engagements for Fortune 100 Companies here and abroad.
As Leadership, Sales and Staffing Consultant to Aquifer Group, Chris advises on marketing, sales and administrative development opportunities.
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