Company

Rob is the CEO and founder of Poulterra and has dedicated much of his career to entrepreneurship, with a focus on climate technology.
Before establishing Poulterra, Rob co-founded and led Benefuel through the development and scale-up of an innovative refining catalyst and process. This ground-breaking technology efficiently converted waste feedstocks into high-quality, low-carbon biodiesel and bio-based lubricants. Under Rob’s guidance, Benefuel successfully implemented two fully integrated demonstration plants in the US and Japan. The success of these demonstration facilities led to the development, construction and operation of one of the largest biodiesel refineries in the US, a facility licensed to Flint Hills Resources, the prominent operating subsidiary of Koch Industries. Through this, Rob facilitated joint venture partnerships and investments with industry giants such as Flint Hills Resources, Suncor Energy, Felda Global Ventures, and ITOCHU Corporation.

Preceding his tenure at Benefuel, Rob devoted four years to scaling up a wood shavings packaging business. This venture supplied essential bedding material to the poultry and equine industry across North America and Europe. Rob orchestrated the development, implementation, and operation of eight wood shavings packaging projects, spanning the Eastern seaboard.
Rob’s entrepreneurial journey began earlier with the co-founding of Clarity, a software development company. Clarity played a pivotal role in systems integration and process enhancements during the nascent stages of the Internet network. Prior to that, Rob was part of iSTAR Internet, a trailblazing Canadian company that achieved the distinction of being the first Internet company to go public in Canada.
Rob’s upbringing on a Canadian farm instilled valuable skills, where he mastered driving a tractor almost a decade before handling a car. In his leisure time, Rob enjoys playfully teasing his kids with bad jokes, skiing (almost in control), and attempting to reel in the elusive fish rumored to inhabit the lake by his cottage.

Rob holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Carleton University.

Tony, the Chief Operating Officer of Poulterra, boasts an impressive 37 years of experience in engineering, project development, commissioning and start-up, operations management, and strategy & business development. His expertise spans the realms of agriculture and renewable energy. At Poulterra, Tony’s leadership extends to spearheading multi-site project development, execution, and operations strategies.

Before joining Poulterra, Tony held the position of General Manager at GEVO, a Sustainable Aviation Fuel developer. In this role, he orchestrated the development and execution of a multi-site strategy for GEVO’s ethanol-to-jet platform.

Benefuel Inc. also benefited from Tony’s expertise, where he served as the Chief Operations Officer. There, he led the development of a novel and patented catalyst and refining technology, transforming waste feedstocks into biodiesel and bio-lubricants. Tony played an integral role in coordinating resources with Flint Hills Resources during the start-up and commissioning of Benefuel’s commercial refinery.

OpEx Solutions, a project development company supporting the biofuels industry, found Tony at the helm. His contributions spanned development, engineering, construction, and operations for various renewable fuel projects.
As the Senior Vice President of Operations at Altra Biofuels, a prominent US-based ethanol producer, Tony orchestrated the simultaneous development and execution of four large-scale commercial ethanol facilities.
Earlier in his career, Tony played a key role at corporate Cargill, contributing to the development of their 10-year strategic plan. Before that, Tony spent six years in plant operations across multiple Cargill facilities.
Tony’s journey began as a process engineer, where he worked at Hubinger Company, Simon’s Conkey Inc., and held operating roles with Heinz and American Fructose.

When not working, Tony spends much of his time in his backyard, tending to a variety of vegetables and fruit trees, while fetching eggs from several wild roaming chickens.

Tony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University.

Adrian is the Chief Technology Officer for Poulterra, where he has dedicated over four decades to the development, engineering, and scaling-up of diverse biomass-based processing technologies, across various industry sectors. At Poulterra, Adrian is tasked with spearheading the technical advancement and implementation of Poulterra’s processing platform.

Before joining Poulterra, Adrian served as the Vice President of Technology at GEVO, a sustainable aviation fuel developer. Notably, he led the development and scale-up of GEVO’s innovative ethanol-to-jet processing technology and integrated RNG production.

Prior to his tenure at GEVO, Adrian held the position of Chief Technology Officer at Benefuel Inc., where he played a pivotal role in the development and commercialization of a ground breaking heterogeneous catalyst and refining technology for the conversion of waste feedstocks into biodiesel and bio-lubricants. Under his leadership, Benefuel successfully commissioned its inaugural commercial refinery, which was a joint venture with Flint Hills Resources.

Adrian’s professional journey also includes his tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Heliae, a pioneering technology firm specializing in refining processes for microalgae production. During his time at Heliae, Adrian led the commercialization efforts of a natural fermentation-based fertilizer for greenhouse and field applications.

Prior to his engagement with Heliae, Adrian served as Senior Vice President of Engineering at Solazyme, a forward-thinking company focused on food, nutrition, and specialty ingredients derived from algae-based platforms.

Preceding his tenure at Solazyme, Adrian held significant roles in process development and engineering at Altra Biofuels, a multi-site ethanol producer, and Delta-T, where he contributed to the development of commercial alcohol processing. Additionally, Adrian spent several years at ADM, gaining invaluable experience across numerous agriculture and food production facilities.

Adrian’s comprehensive experience spans all phases of project development, and his involvement in the commissioning and start-up of over 40 large-scale agriculture and energy initiatives underscores his profound expertise and leadership in the field.

When Adrian is not working, he can often be found wandering the hills and hiking trails of Arizona with his wife or on a flight to visit and torment one of his many grandchildren.

Adrian holds a BA degree in Chemistry from Benedictine College.

Chad is the Chief Financial Officer for Poulterra. Chad is a Certified Professional Accountant with over 25 years of experience in various financial leadership roles. His career spans across a number of diverse industries, where his hands on approach to manufacturing and operations has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive growth and profitability.

Before Poulterra, Chad was the owner/operator of Baker Creek Mountain Resort, a boutique hotel, nestled in the picturesque Lake Louise in Banff National Park. Here, Chad honed his entrepreneurial skills operating a large, zero vacancy resort, while ensuring exceptional experiences within a World Heritage Site.

Prior to his adventure in Banff, Chad served as the Controller at DinoFlex Group, an industry leading manufacturer of recycled rubber surfacing products. Here, Chad underscored his capacity to oversee intricate financial operations with precision and efficacy while prioritizing environmental stewardship and safety of operations.

Other pivotal roles contributing to Chad’s experience include Manager of Operations at CFO Incorporated, where he provided financial consulting and operations support to a variety of industries. Chad was served as a Financial Analyst at Nortel Networks and two small cap oil and gas equipment suppliers.

Throughout his career, Chad has been driven by a passion for providing structure and support business operations. His leadership in spearheading the automation of lean management principles has resulted in significant improvements in process optimization and resource utilization.

Chad is a trusted advisor and leader in the field of financial management. Whether navigating complex financial landscapes or enjoying the great outdoors, Chad approaches every endeavor with integrity, expertise, and a relentless drive for success.

Beyond the boardroom, Chad finds enjoyment in several outdoor activities including fishing, golfing, skiing, and hiking. When not working or outside, Chad can be found putting in the hours needed to one day complete his goal of being a certified Cicerone.

Chad holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University.

As Chief Agronomy Officer at Poulterra, Matt Quist is proud to develop solutions that improve the production of food, fiber and the use of outdoor spaces through circular economies that are sustainable for business and the environment. He brings over 25 years of experience developing and marketing agricultural products.

Matt’s career has been distinguished by his innovative and sustainable approach to product development. As President of Component Ag, he built a team to develop new innovations in chemistry aimed at improving the availability of nutrients to plants, and the effectiveness of organic crop protection products.

At Wilbur-Ellis, Matt directed the company’s proprietary products, emphasizing crop and soil health. Leading a team of strategic and technical development professionals, he managed portfolios of award-winning organic, nutritional, and crop protection products. Overseeing a global supply chain, the team sourced ingredients worldwide to address challenges faced by farmers, foresters, and groundskeepers across the United States and globally. Matt spearheaded the development and launch of dozens of products, guiding them from lab conception through field trials, manufacturing or sourcing scale-up and regulatory clearance, to overcome barriers to yield and quality in the field.

Matt’s experiences at Aquatrols and Wonderful Orchards, where he began his professional career, emphasized irrigation water use efficiency and pioneered new practices for tree nut and fruit production.

Over the course of his career Matt has also contributed his experience to the industry through associations and policy advocacy, and as an author and editor of the 10th edition of the Western Fertilizer Handbook.

Growing up on his family’s alfalfa and pistachio farm, Matt learned the same lessons needed in a start-up environment: resourcefulness, adaptability, and community. His education at Cal Poly Pomona, where he earned a Master of Science in Agronomy and Crop Science, further equipped him with the technical knowledge to make meaningful contributions to the field.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys traveling with his wife and children. As his son’s Cub Scout Den Leader, he stays prepared to avoid being lost in the woods even when it seems like a good way to get some peace and quiet.

Anthony brings over four decades of unparalleled expertise and extensive industry connections to his role as Vice President of Business Development at Poulterra. His career spans various key positions in the poultry sector, showcasing his adeptness for sourcing and development new opportunities for projects.

Before joining Poulterra, Anthony worked at Butterball LLC as the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives. At Butterball, Anthony was tasked with plant optimizations, strategic partnerships, process improvements and commercial development. Anthony also spent ten years at the VP of Sales for Butterball and was instrumental in supporting the growth of the company and supporting the sales of the world’s largest turkey processing facility.

Before his tenure at Butterball, Anthony served as the Chief Operations Officer at Valley Proteins, the largest independent animal renderer in the United States. Overseeing operations across 23 rendering facilities nationwide, he played a pivotal role in steering the company towards operational excellence and strategic expansion.
Prior to Valley Proteins and Butterball, Anthony was the Director of Sales of Carolina Turkeys, one of the nation’s largest turkey producers.

Anthony spent almost ten years at Perdue Foods before Carolina Turkeys, where he was involved in all aspects of Perdue’s poultry operations. Anthony managed entire complexes of live operations, ran processing facilities and feed mills during his tenure at Perdue, providing invaluable experience and insights in operations across the poultry supply chain.

Anthony started his career at Chatham Industries as the Director of the Tennessee Operations.

Anthony lives on a farm in North Carolina and when he is not working at Poulterra, he is tending to his turkey barns, humbling the younger generation on the racquetball court, powder skiing in Utah or enjoying a nice dinner out with his wife.

Anthony graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics.