Our Company
Our mission is to accelerate the development of the microalgae industry in every potential market via proven, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing technologies.
Over 35 years of experience in research and manipulation of algae at the cellular level through to million liter plus production scale, as well as real world business experience make Harmon Consulting, Inc. your go-to solution for microalgae problem solving at all stages of company development.
Learn more about our areas of expertise and services we offer.
Our Team
Valerie Harmon | CEO
Harmon has over 28 years of experience in microalgae and shellfish cultivation. She has cultivated species such as: Haemotococcus, Arthrospira (Spirulina), Nannochloropsis, Chaetoceros, Isochrysis and Tetraselmis at the commercial scale. Most recently, she is CEO with Harmon Consulting, a business in support of Microalgae Biotechnology Industry Development. Prior to this she served as Sr. Director of Research and Development for Cellana LLC, where she served as Principal Investigator for three multi-million-dollar grant projects, as well as supervised all scientific work including development of quality control standards and Good Manufacturing Practice production methods. She served as Director of Cultivation, Environmental and Safety Systems for Aurora Algae Pty Ltd in Karratha Western Australia. During this time, she worked as part of a team to develop optimal production methodologies for large scale production ponds, contributing to a 50% increase in productivities as well as improved reliability.
Prior to Aurora Algae, she worked in multiple roles of increasing responsibility for Cyanotech Corporation, a world leader in microalgae products. While working for Cyanotech, Harmon served as Cultivation Specialist, Technical Sales/Animal Feed Sales Manager, Director of Business Development, and Director of Cultivation over a nine-year period. During her tenure with Cyanotech improvements to production system methodologies led to productivity increases of 34%, coupled with a product quality increase that allowed for better market positioning. Harmon also brings significant experience in regulatory affairs for microalgae products across multiple markets, as well as a history of strong success in building solid relations with customers. She was responsible for multiple large exclusive contracts worth up to $10 million in revenues from microalgae products. Before working exclusively in microalgae, Harmon worked in the Shellfish Aquaculture Industry for both private and public institutions with strong expertise in hatchery management. Harmon holds a Masters in Agriculture, with an emphasis on Aquaculture, Fisheries Economics and Business Strategy from Oregon State University and a B.S. in Biology from Davidson College.
Valerie's vision for the industry is a future of social sustainability based on the nutritional, pharmaceutical and environmental remediation applications for microalgae that can change the way in which we interact with our environment.