Greg Kegel Dean, College of Technical Sciences Phone: 406-265-4157 Fax: 406-265-3741 Email: kegel@msun.edu
Gregory D. Kegel currently serves as the Dean for the College of Technical Science, Montana State University-Northern.  Since his appointment, Dean Kegel has worked to expand Northern’s technical programs including establishing  2-year associate programs in trades craft such as plumbing, carpentry, construction and electrical.  He has also worked to strengthen the co-op student program for diesel and automotive students with summer internship programs with national and international businesses such as Kiewit, Fairbanks Morse, Foundation Coal, General Electric, Toyota, and Ford.  Dean Kegel helped secure over five million to build the new Applied Technology Center, which houses the Bio-Energy Innovation and Testing Center and has been successful in obtaining numerous federal appropriations and grants.  The Dean has worked to foster productive industry linkages that have proven beneficial to MSU-Northern and industry by providing contract training for Ford, Case New Holland, Toyota, Montana State Department of Transportation, and others.  Previous to his appointment, Dean Kegel was a professor at Montana State University-Northern and a training specialist for Autodesk, Inc.  Mr. Kegel received a Masters of Sciences degree from Central Washington University.
Nestor U. Soriano, Jr., PhD Lead Research Scientist Phone: 406-265-3717 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email: nestor.soriano@msun.edu
Nestor U. Soriano, Jr., PhD is the lead research scientist and oversees the Testing Center.  Dr. Soriano received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Chemistry from University of the Philippines, Laguna.  He received his PhD in Biotechnology from the University of Tsukuba, Japan where he gained extensive research experience in the chemical modification of vegetable oils for the production of high-value additives and bio-diesel.  His work on the development of vegetable oil-based pour point depressant and electrochemical cracking of triglycerides led to two patents.  Dr. Soriano comes to MSU-Northern from North Carolina State University where he served as a postdoctoral Research Associate.  During his tenure with North Carolina State University, Nestor’s research demonstrated solubility of amino acids and poly peptides in supercritical CO2 through reverse micelle formation using fluorinated surfactant.
Jessica Alcorn-Windy Boy Director Phone: 406-265-4199 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email: j.alcornwindyboy@msun.edu
Jessica Alcorn-Windy Boy is the Director of the Bio-Energy Innovation and Testing Center. Jessica previously worked as Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT) in Washington, DC. While she was working for CERT, Jessica helped ensure that a progressive Indian Energy Title was included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Previous to her work with CERT, Jessica served on the White House Task for Energy Project Streamlining where she organized energy development on Tribal lands. Jessica holds a Masters in Public Administration degree from New York City University and a Bachelors of Art degree from Brigham Young University-Hawaii.
Keith Richardson Technical Assistant Phone: 406-265-4115 Fax: 406-265- 4176 Email: keith.richardson@msun.edu
Keith Richardson has over 40-years experience in automotive, aircraft, motorcycle, agriculture, construction and mining equipment repair maintenance and design.  Before joining the Testing Center at Northern, Keith was a design engineer for Big Bud Tractors starting in 1975.  During his tenure at Big Bud he designed several models of Big Bud Tractors from concept to prototype, and then supervised the building and assembling of those tractors.  Keith was the lead design engineer on the world's largest farm tractor. Keith has extensive experience in designing power trains, hydraulic systems, and electrical systems.  He also designed earth moving scrapers as well as several other equipment needs for railroads.
Akash Narani Research Assistant: Analytical Chemist Phone: 406-262-5950 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email: akash.narani@msun.edu
Akash Narani has been a Research Assistant at the Bio Energy Center since Jan, 2011.\ He is currently working on the biomass conversion project and oversees the lab activities of the biodiesel fuel testing. Mr. Narani has a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo where he conducted research on the “Interaction of cellulose with novel solvents for its efficient conversion to biofuels“. He received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology, India. His inner zeal to work on energy development has been the driving force in his pursuit to contribute towards this innovative field of alternative fuels. Akash takes immense pride in being the part of this successful research team.
Taylor Lyon Research Assistant Phone: 406-262-5923 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email: taylor.lyon@msun.edu
Hailing from Sugar Land Texas, Taylor moved to the Big Sky country to pursue a degree in Biology at Carroll College. Through his studies and experiences at school, Taylor developed a passion for alternative energy production and use. It was this passion that led him to change career paths and follow a line of work that helped the environment and its people. Upon completion of his degree, Taylor joined the Bio-Energy Center in the fall of 2009 as a research assistant serving for the newly formed Montana Energy Corps, an affiliate of AmeriCorps. His service with the Bio-Energy Center led to numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. After his term with the Corp expired, Taylor joined the Bio-Energy Center as the Biodiesel Production and Research Associate. Taylor has been officialy deemed the Grumpy Cowboy for his wild mood swings and outlandish approach to instilling the success of biofuels in Montana.
Joseph Wetsch Administrative Assistant/Information Technology Phone: 406-265-5920 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email: joseph.wetsch@msun.edu
Joseph is a graduate of our very own Montana State University – Northern, in Computer Information Systems. He graduated in May of 2010 and began working for the Bio Energy Center in Jan 2011. Before graduating, Joe got his start with the Center by developing an online database for us as part of his senior project. Joe is fired up and applying his expertise to our company continually; primarily by revamping our displays and website. He is inspired daily by his beautiful wife and children. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Joe came to the ‘Big Sky’ state to attend college, and came to Havre to serve as an intern youth pastor for three years.
Patty J. Morning Research Assistant/Energy Corp Phone: 406-265-5928 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email: patty.morning@msun.edu
Patty Morning is an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe and grew up on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. She graduated from Box Elder High School in 2001 as Salutatorian. While in high school Patty became interested in computer programming and system networks. She developed those skills by serving as the student networking administrator for 3 years. During her senior year Patty and two other senior networking administrator students were ranked first in Montana. She is the first generation in her family to graduate from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering Technology and two Associates Degree’s in Computer Information System and Electrical Engineering at MSU-Northern in 2008. She joined the Bio-Energy Center as a Montana Energy Corps Volunteer in 2010 to give back to the community while gaining experience and learning about energy sustainability. Patty is involved with the Center’s projects on Developing Railway Markets for Montana Biodiesel. She is also working on developing and organizing Montana 25x’25 official website as well community outreach and education on the bio-energy available in Montana. When not working on energy issues, you can usually find Patty at the pow-wow, round dance, working out, hanging w/ friend & family, and beadwork.
Megan McKay Undergraduate Research Assistant Phone: 406-265-3574 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email: meggsdiesel@gmail.com
Megan Mckay is one of our energetic research assistants. She became a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) from Clover Park Technical College. While working as a CDA Megan continued her education at Pierce College focusing on additional science courses. She has earned a certificate as a Nurse's Aide and obtained medical CPR certification. Megan is currently a student at MSU- Northern. She received her Associate of Arts degree and is now working toward a Bachelor Degree of Science in Diesel Technology. She is extremely excited and proud to be a part of our research team.
Casey Ray Spaulding Undergraduate Research Assistant Phone: 406-265-3574 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email: caseyspaulding18@yahoo.com
Casey is one of our fun loving student performance research assistants. He is currently seeking a degree in Diesel Technology, with a minor in Business Technology. He is a senior this year and has made the Dean’s list here at Northern. He works very hard to complete his schooling. Casey conducts his own research experiments on various blends of Bio-Diesel, as well as other testing that the center needs him to do. In his free time he rides dirt bikes, hikes, snowboards, and shoots his guns. He is twenty three years old, and is very excited to go out into the world with his new degree. He greatly appreciates the center and thinks that it has really jumpstarted his career
Tristan Johnson Undergraduate Research Assistant Phone: 406-265-3574 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email:
Tristan's bio coming soon!
Seth Alcorn Undergraduate Research Assistant Phone: 406-265-3574 Fax: 406-265-4176 Email:
Seth's bio coming soon!