Erik Evans
Director of Communications
Erik is a Twin Cities native with a B.S. from St Cloud State University in Mass Communications and a Masters of Business Communication from the University of St Thomas. As the Director of Communications, he is responsible for developing and overseeing AURI’s communications strategy as well as creating compelling messages for the organization’s internal and external communication channels.
Holly Harguth
Administrative Assistant
Holly Harguth of Waseca joined AURI in April 2016 as Administrative Assistant. Holly also arranges many aspects of AURI’s Board of Directors activities.
Ben Swanson
Associate Scientist of Food & Nutrition
Ben is from Sauk Rapids, Minnesota and received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of North Dakota. He then obtained a M.S. in Food Science and Engineering, with an emphasis in Food Safety and Quality Control, from the University of Minnesota. Ben works with clients to determine what AURI can do to advance their business or products, like conducting nutritional analysis and helping find suppliers and copackers.
Goutham Vemuri
Biomass & Renewable Products Technologies Scientist
Goutham is a chemical engineer by training with a focus on microbial biotechnology. He received his Masters and PhD from the University of Georgia, Athens and has a proven track record of taking projects from concept to commercialization. He has a broad and deep technical competence in process optimization and techno-economic analysis.