OriginOil has officially shifted from development phase to commercialization phase of producing algal fuels. As part of the company’s fast-track process, they have hired Paul Reep as the Senior Vice President of Technology, who will also hold a seat on the Board of Directors.

“OriginOil will continue to innovate, it’s in our DNA,” said Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO. “Meanwhile, a number of our technologies have matured to the point where we need to focus on fast-track commercialization. This includes seeking independent validations, combining with other systems in the process chain, aggressively developing our intellectual property, signing distribution partnerships, and the many other activities involved in commercialization of a new technology.”

Prior to joining OriginOil, Reep worked with the University of Southern California Stevens Institute for Innovation where he managed as many as 200 technology cases at one time. He also has experience managing government-private partnerships, including a major multi-agency technology transfer initiative with the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Interior, Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency where the bio-project is still underway.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to lead the OriginOil technical team in what is sure to be an amazingly productive time for the company,” Reep said.