James Barber

James J. Barber, Ph.D., has extensive experience in industrial biotechnology, having most recently served as President and CEO of Metabolix, Inc. Under his leadership, Metabolix developed the Mirel™ line of bioplastics and formed Telles™, a joint venture with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). Dr. Barber also led Metabolix through a successful IPO in November 2006. Prior to Metabolix, Dr. Barber served as Global Business Director for Albemarle Corporation, with global P&L responsibility for that $100+ million business. He also served as Director of Business Development with Ethyl Corporation, with responsibility for acquisitions and managing Ethyl's venture capital activities. Dr. Barber received a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1976 and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980. He received the American Chemical Society's Henry F. Whalen, Jr. award for Business Development in September of 2003. Dr. Barber serves on the Advancement Council of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at the University of Akron, as a director of Graham Corporation, Agrivida, and Segetis, and as chairman of the board of Allylix.