The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) announced today that Joel Velasco, the organization’s Washington, DC-based Chief Representative for North America, is leaving the position he has held since 2007, to join Amyris, Inc., as Senior Vice-President, External Relations.

“Joel has provided UNICA with wise counsel, effective strategy and solid results. We wish him well at Amyris and will continue cooperating in the future, as we pursue what will often be common objectives,” said UNICA CEO Marcos Jank. Velasco will remain an informal advisor to UNICA on matters related to U.S. biofuels policy.

“I have been honored to represent such a transformative industry at a particularly pivotal period. I am confident that our international successes over these last three years will yield dividends not only to UNICA member companies but to the communities they serve for years to come. As I embark on a new challenge with Amyris, I look forward to supporting UNICA’s trailblazing work to promote an even more vibrant sugarcane industry in Brazil and beyond,” added Velasco.

Amyris is an integrated renewable products company based in Emeryville, California. Subsidiaries include Amyris Brasil S.A., a majority-owned Brasilian company and Amyris Fuels, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary for U.S. fuels distribution capabilities.

With Velasco’s departure, UNICA’s activities in Washington will be carried out by Leticia Phillips and Ana Carolina Lessa. The organization’s international activities will continue to be overseen by UNICA’s Senior Advisor for International Affairs, Geraldine Kutas, based in Brussels.