Conference Overview

Jami  Rice

Commercial Regulatory Manager, Lubricants Americas

Shell

Bio

Jami Rice is an accomplished leader recognized for her expertise in strategic project management and new business development within the energy and lubricants sectors. As Commercial Regulatory Manager at Pennzoil Quaker State Company, Jami champions a business-focused approach to energy and sustainability, positioning herself as a leading authority on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Jami’s commitment to advancing measured and effective EPR initiatives is evident through her influential team leadership roles at Pennzoil Quaker State Company, her service as a board member of the National Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition (NLCRC), and her position as Vice Chair of the Lubricants Packaging Management Association (LPMA) — the industry’s key Producer Responsibility Organization. She advocates for EPR programs that are data-driven, performance-based, cost-effective, and industry led.

Jami holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Houston, specializing in Petroleum Engineering and Energy & Sustainability. She also earned an MBA and a professional certification in Mergers & Acquisitions. With over 15 years of cross-industry experience — spanning automotive, telecommunications, chemicals, and energy — Jami has established a track record for driving meaningful change, fostering innovation, and inspiring high-performing, diverse teams to achieve excellence.

Chad Larish

Principal Engineer – Controls Division

Danfoss Power Solutions

Bio

Chad is a Principal Engineer at Danfoss in the Controls Application Engineering group focused on technology strategy and consulting for Controls Division based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Chad has been with Danfoss since 2007 in various roles focused on machine control systems, efficiency, electrification, and automation. Chad holds a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota both in mechanical engineering.

Dr. Carmen Betts

Senior R&D Chemist

Afton Chemical

Bio

Carmen Betts is a Senior R&D Chemist at Afton Chemical Corporation and is based in Richmond, Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Wichita State University in 2014 (Wichita, Kansas) and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Boston University in 2020 (Boston, Massachusetts). Since joining Afton in 2020, Carmen has been a member of the Driveline R&D formulation team with specific focus on the development of next generation Off-Road Universal Tractor Transmission Oil (UTTO) additive technologies.

Christopher Lopez

Fleet Technology Engineer

Razor Labs

Bio

Christopher Lopez currently works as a Fleet Technology Engineer at Razor Labs. With over 11 years of experience in the mining industry, he develops data-driven reliability solutions that extend component life and improve equipment availability. He is involved in condition-monitoring and predictive maintenance projects for heavy mobile fleets. His background includes managing large mobile fleets and making data-informed decisions based on oil analysis, telemetry, and predictive maintenance. Christopher is a mechanical engineer who holds an M.Sc. in Maintenance Engineering and is certified as a Maintenance & Reliability Professional (SMRP) and Machine Lubricant Analyst Level II (ICML)

David Lawes

CEO

Interchange 360

Bio

David Lawes is an accomplished leader in Extended Producer Responsibility with more than two decades across government, industry and environmental stewardship. He is CEO of LPMA and CEO of Interchange Recycling, setting strategy, strengthening producer compliance and delivering measurable gains in waste reduction and circular economy outcomes. David serves as Vice Chair of the Conference on Canadian Stewardship and previously led the Global Product Stewardship Council. He has held governance and advisory roles with the Recycling Council of B.C. and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment’s Waste Working Group. Earlier in his career he managed waste prevention policy at the B.C. Ministry of Environment, directed sustainable resource management with the Makah Tribe and collaborated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. David studied Environment and Business at Royal Roads University and has completed advanced training in corporate governance and cybersecurity oversight.

David Turner

Senior Sector Manager

CITGO

Bio

David Turner is a Sr. Sector Manager for Grease with CITGO Petroleum Corporation in Houston, Texas.  David is a graduate of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.  He has more than 40 years of experience in the lubricants industry, in formulation, manufacturing, selection, application, and technical service of lubricants and greases.  He is a member of STLE and ASTM, and has authored several papers for NLGI.  He is the chairman of ASTM D02.G on Lubricating Grease and is co-chair of the NLGI Technical Committee.  He is the recipient of the NLGI Clarence E. Earl Memorial Award (twice), the ASTM Award of Excellence, the NLGI Meritorious Service Award, the NLGI Fellows Award, the NLGI Chevron Lubricants Award, the NLGI Shell Lubricants Award for Instructor Excellence, the ASTM Eagle Award, the NLGI Award for Achievement, the NLGI Golden Grease Gun Award (twice), the ASTM Sidney D. Andrews Scroll of Achievement, and the NLGI Volunteer Award.  He is an NLGI Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist (CLGS), an STLE Oil Monitoring Analyst (OMA), and an STLE Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS).

Jacob Bonta

Lead Formulation Scientist – Industrial Fluids and Greases, Americas

Valvoline

Bio

Jacob Bonta has more than 10 years of experience in designing and testing new chemical products for various industrial sectors. Hired by Valvoline in 2018, he leads lubricating grease and industrial fluid research and development in North America and supports grease related operations for Valvoline globally. His graduate research is focused on lubricating grease fundamental material properties. He has multiple patents issued or pending for chemical products with five being specific to lubricating greases. He is a member of SAE, STLE, and NLGI and holds the NLGI CLGS certification.

Dr. Shubhamita Basu

Director, Engineered Fluids

Perstorp

Bio

Dr. Shubhamita Basu is Director for Engineered Fluids at Perstorp Group, where she leads initiatives in electronic cooling technologies for next-generation data centers and high-performance electronics. With nearly 20 years of experience blending technical expertise with business strategy, she has driven advancements in sustainable solutions that improves energy efficiency and sustainability across industries.

Shubhamita has authored numerous technical papers, patents, and delivered presentations at leading national and international conferences. Dr. Basu holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University and an MBA from Cleveland State University and serves as a member of the Sustainability Committee of STLE.