Neuvagene is a biotechnology company at the forefront of economic efforts to bring high-technology jobs to Michigan. Based in Grand Rapids, they employ 500 people in research and development, manufacturing and testing. In addition to selling genetic testing kits used for prenatal screening for several genetic diseases, they are also a leader in bioremediation research.  Dioxin-eating bacteria developed by Neuvagene is being used to clean the Titabawasee river contamination below Dow's main plant in Midland.

Douglas Alder, the CEO and founder, is also a founding member of the Alliance for Michigan's Future. He is heavily involved with charity work in the Grand Rapids area, and his name is starting to take on the role that Van Andle held for an earlier generation. He has a personal dislike of Dick DeVoss, the president of Amway, who is also a major player in the state Republican Party.

Mark Torgeson is the head of the Urban Flora division, and Alder's college roommate.  Torgeson does not know the details of the Board of Directors, but he is aware that they tend to share common views with Douglas Alder, that a final solution must be found for the homeless and drug addicts. He personally seeded the Detroit colony of lynch lichen.  The field scientists do not know about his role in this, and as far as they know it is a newly discovered species in the urban landscape.