Renmatix is committed to attracting and inspiring outstanding individuals who are motivated by an opportunity to enhance the future of energy markets via biofuel and biochemical solutions. Our Chief Executive Officer, Mike Hamilton has worked hard to recruit and retain an exceptional group of individuals who believe they can redefine the boundaries of what is possible via renewable non-food based biomass feedstocks. Leveraging a world class team with specialized process and chemical expertise, Renmatix has shown the ability to rapidly scale our proprietary Plantrose™ Process to achieve the lowest cost cellulosic sugar strategy. The wisdom of applying proven technology in a unique way to allow for an attractive margin is testament to our management team’s skills and judgment.
Mike Hamilton
CEO
Mike is passionate about his vision for the future of renewable materials. He also has an enviable reputation for building high performing teams and delivering strong business results in the chemicals space. Through his guidance, Renmatix is rapidly establishing itself as the leader in production of affordable cellulosic sugars. With 20 years of demonstrated leadership as an executive at Rohm and Haas Company, Mike acquired his global market perspective while serving in roles across North America, Europe, and Asia. That wealth of experience has allowed him to leverage a rich personal network to identify and attract crucial Renmatix team members like CTO Dr. Manuk Colakyan, process technology expert Fred Moesler, marketing & communications director Duncan Cross, and most recently SVP & CRO Mark Schweiker.
Mike’s specialty chemical experience is invaluable as we target the bio-replacement of fossil fuel based products. His capacity to think technically and act commercially make him uniquely qualified to help Renmatix cross the gap between the science that drives our disruptive technology, and the commercial benefits warranted by the compelling value proposition of Plantro™ sugars. His track record of proven execution and consistent delivery of results will ensure we best serve our investors and stakeholders. His familiarity with end markets, and established relationships with core customers, will ensure a fluid shift for Renmatix beyond development and into production, despite the volatility and risk inherent in this field. Raised and educated in Canada, Mike earned both a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and his MBA at the University of Western Ontario.
Dr. Manuk Colakyan
CTO & Chair of Renmatix Scientific Advisory Board
Manuk joined Renmatix in 2010 and has more than 25 years of industrial experience at Union Carbide and Dow Chemical where he has held senior positions in the R&D and Engineering Departments, leading the Solids Processing and Reaction Engineering Groups, and as a resident Fellow. Dr. Colakyan’s areas of expertise include reaction engineering, catalysis, solids processing, process development and scale-up, fluidization, mathematical modeling and computational fluid dynamics. He has led a number of major capital projects involving the commercialization of new catalysts or catalytic processes and processes involving solids. With three degrees in chemical engineering, Dr. Colakyan is active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), having served in various divisions, as chapter president, group chair, and programming chair for the Particle Technology Forum. He is the recipient of AIChE’s “Fluidization Processing Recognition” and Oregon State University’s “Academy of Distinguished Engineers” Awards.
Dr.Colakyan has helped Renmatix mature and improve its technology. Dr. Colakyan’s background brings expertise in important applications with direct relevance to biofuel production including his status as a nationally recognized expert on fluidization, commercial scale implementation of reactors like the Renmatix cellulose-hydrolysis reactor, and solids processing/handling which is critical to our proprietary conversion from biomass feedstocks to biomaterials outputs. As the leader of our research and development effort, he manages multiple paths of investigative R&D efforts, and works with a team of highly qualified technical directors to ensure that the Plantrose™ Process scales up smoothly via efficient engineering, design, and scalable process technology.
Mark Schweiker
SVP & Chief Relationship Officer
A distinguished executive and government leader, Mark Schweiker brings deep experience in guiding fast growing organizations and helping customers integrate new technology into their existing operations. Mark joined Renmatix to drive key initiatives with public and private sector stakeholders across several business areas including: site selection for production facilities, financial partnerships, feedstock procurement, commercial programs, and public affairs. He will play a critical cross-functional role in accelerating corporate development in the United States and abroad.
Lauded as a strong voice and proponent for the re-birth of American manufacturing, especially in the energy and advanced materials industry sector, Mark is a member of the influential U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. His public service spans several decades including a term as the 44th Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Subsequently, Mark served as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and later as President of PRWT Business Process Solutions. He also served as a member of the BioAdvance Board of Directors for eight years, and is currently a member of the Penn State University Smeal College of Business Board of Visitors. Mark is a graduate of Bloomsburg University (BS) and received his MA in management from Rider University.
Ellen Purdy
Chief Financial Officer
Growing and managing a technology company is no easy task. Beyond finding ways to finance an idea into potential, even more acumen is required to nurture potential into commercial success. In this area Ellen has proven success, as demonstrated in her work over the past ten years with IPR International and SDI. Previously Ellen held financial and strategic roles over the course of ten years in the global chemical industry. A graduate of Penn’s Wharton School (BS in Finance) and Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business (MBA), Ellen’s financial intellect and expertise won her the 2010 CFO of the Year Award for Philadelphia.
Ellen brings a strong sales and strategic mindset to Renmatix and understands the business and financial perspectives of large and entrepreneurial firms. She is experienced in: M&A, debt and equity restructurings in both the funding and managing of start-ups and early-stage growth firms, as well as acquisitions within the technology sector. Ellen has secured private equity partners to fund growth, led due diligence, helped negotiate all the relevant agreements, secured low-interest economic development loans and government grants, and more. The results have yielded strong returns for investors, positive growth and cash flow for her companies, and a myriad of tight, professional relationships. As Renmatix continues to grow, her experience and expertise will be critical to our success.
Tim Brown
VP of Corporate Strategy
Tim is an integral component of the Renmatix management team. He understands the science behind our affordable cellulosic sugars technology and is charged with mapping its commercial significance to future applications. Tim is a strategic leader with significant interdisciplinary experience: expertise in clean technology, mergers & acquisitions, strategy, marketing, finance and accounting. Possessing the sound qualifications of a former CPA, Tim also assists with financing to evaluate and plan for sources and uses of future funding. In order to function effectively, Tim consistently monitors the biofuels market and works to connect our distinctive capabilities with evolving developments/needs amongst competitors, customers, partners and suppliers by translating new insights into action. Having developed a similar growth strategy for the biofuels division of a Class I U.S. railroad, Tim understands the full value chain of biofuels from farm to blending facilities, and leverages that knowledge to craft strategic initiatives targeted at expanding Renmatix’s profitable topline revenue growth over the next five years. Tim has demonstrated critical commercial wins at Renmatix by owning the wood supplier selection process, negotiating our commercial site selection process, and winning critical funding along the way. Tim continues to refine our long term strategy and does so by balancing it with shrewd management of near term product development and new business initiatives.
Prior to joining Renmatix, Tim worked with senior executives at medium to large companies on a variety of domestic and international projects as a management consultant at Bain & Co. as a member of their Atlanta and Stockholm offices. Tim’s focus was on new business and product development, supply chain solutions and helping leading private equity firms evaluate potential targets. Tim received an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science, Management, from Boston College (Summa Cum Laude).
Jennifer Miller
Chief Legal Officer
Jennifer brings 18 years of experience working with technology firms and young companies. Her talents provide critical skills to Renmatix, at this important phase of growth and development. She brings particular expertise in licensing, strategic alliances and corporate collaborations; equity and project finance, both public and private; corporate governance and board counseling; as well as a deep understanding of the challenges inherent in growing a new technology company. In her role as Chief Legal Officer, Jennifer will be guiding and refining intellectual property strategy, helping to structure joint development and licensing strategy and transactions, and complete financings for the company and its commercial facilities.
Jennifer was previously with Ballard Spahr LLP, a national full service law firm. There, she represented technology companies of all stages and sizes, including everything from entrepreneurs with exciting ideas to global conglomerates. She also conceived of, and edited the book “How to Start and Grow a Life Science Company: A Guide for Incubators and Start-Ups.” Her traditional legal strengths include: structuring, negotiating and closing myriad transactions, including acquisitions and sales, licenses, joint development and marketing agreements, manufacture and distribution arrangements, venture and institutional financings, and public offerings. As a counselor to her clients, Jennifer helped to develop and refine business plans and strategies, secured investors or corporate partners, and developed solutions to business and legal problems. During her tenure at Ballard, she served as co-chair of the Life Science and Technology Group, served as the Program Chair of Pennsylvania BIO for several years, and as co-chair of Pennsylvania BIO’s Enterprise Creation Summit. Jennifer currently serves on the advisory board of Cradles to Crayons and the Steering Committee for the Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Classic. She holds a BA from Dickinson College, a JD from Widener University School of Law, and has clerked for Delaware Supreme Court Justice Andrew G.T. Moore II.
Fred Moesler
VP of Process Technology
Fred leverages his unique background in the development, design, scale-up, and start-up of bioindustrial processes to help Renmatix progress quickly and efficiently. He is an expert in mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and data mining of pilot/demonstration/production facilities. In this role, Fred will be advising Renmatix on technology optimization and how to effectively interface downstream. Fred is also helping guide our strategy and modeling. A resident specialist in biochemical production, Fred started his career at Dow Chemical in production and engineering roles where, among many other responsibilities, he assisted in the start-up and optimization of the Dow AgroSciences spinosad facility in Harbor Beach, MI.
In the 10 years since Dow, Fred has held many key positions within the bioindustrial space. Fred led the research engineering effort for the lactide and polymer processes as lead engineer and research engineering leader at NatureWorks, LLC; a bioindustrial polymer company. While at NatureWorks, Fred was also engaged on the fermentation team for start-up and optimization of the world scale lactic acid and polylactide production plants. Fred was also Director of Process Development at ZeaChem, a cellulosic ethanol and biochemical company, where he was instrumental in developing a unique, high-yield cellulosic ethanol process. Most recently, Fred was Vice President of engineering at Rennovia, a chemocatalytic bioindustrial chemical company. Fred received his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of North Dakota.
Dan Floyd
Operations Director
Dan is an integral part of Renmatix’s work to move from demonstration phase to commercial stage. During 15 years at Dow and Union Carbide, Dan distinguished himself as a proficient expert in scale up execution and commercial scale implementation of multiple technologies. He has driven results from leadership roles in both Manufacturing and R&D functions with teams in North America, Europe and India, as well as teams made up of multiple companies via JV and JDA. Dan’s trouble shooting skills have been honed through deep exposure to several process driven technologies and their applications for multiple chemicals. His work in Polyolefins, Polyurethanes and Diesel Particulate Filters is of particular relevance to Renmatix’s process driven solution for cellulosic sugars.
Dan, a licensed Professional Engineer, graduated with a Bachelors of Chemical Engineering with Honors from Georgia Institute of Technology. In 2007, Dan was named to Georgia Tech’s Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni.
Mike Simard
Engineering Director
Mike, a licensed Georgia professional engineer has a Masters in mechanical engineering from the University of Montreal, and an MBA from Simon Fraser University. It is his responsibility to bring our technology to life via the commercial scale design, and engineering required to perform the Plantrose™ Process at specification. In the early days, Mike provided flexible configurations that allowed the technology to be tested and adapted based on results and insights gained as we progressed against a steep learning curve. Mike’s proficiency in project management has enabled him to manage the bricks and mortar implementation from procurement to construction for Renmatix’s P100-generation2 (enhanced pilot), and D3K (demonstration plant) which was delivered in 2009 on budget and ahead of schedule. Today he is in charge of the design and construction of our first commercial facility that will bring the Plantrose™ Process to life for Renmatix.
Achieving this impressive track record has required Mike to draw upon his previous experience holding senior positions in both project and operations management in the building material industry and power generation with General Electric. In the past Mike has led the construction and start-up of large manufacturing facilities, and has also worked internationally in Europe and China.
Debra Kurucz
VP Talent Development
Debra joined Renmatix to oversee talent acquisition and development. Renmatix is entirely dependent on the brilliance and genius insights of our science, strategy, and engineering experts. And to date, we’ve been very successful in attracting the very best and brightest to our game-changing technology opportunity. To scale our operations globally, we’re thrilled to have a high-energy resource leader who is well known for driving business performance in both commercial and human resource roles. She is also tasked with ensuring the policies and reward systems at Renmatix are competitive with other world-class technology organizations – and is proactively working to shape and energize our innovative and progressive culture.
For the last five years, Deb ran a successful HR consulting practice providing executive level coaching on improving corporate effectiveness and optimizing team performance. Her performance management systems help drive success, and her talent processes identify, assess, develop and reward the best internal and external talent. Prior to that, Debra enjoyed a 17-year career within several Fortune 1000 chemical firms including Procter & Gamble and Rohm and Haas, where she held both sales and marketing and a variety of senior HR roles. During this time Debra helped drive global talent development processes, which led to “best practices” in the areas of talent identification, assessment, global assignments, succession planning, employee development, and reward processes. Debra graduated (cum laude) with a BA from Princeton and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School.
Duncan Cross
Marketing & Communications Director
Duncan leads all facets of marketing for Renmatix. Duncan has helped the company progress through market entry by crafting a compelling value proposition, and building brands for our products and technology. He is passionate about telling our story and creating a face for the company that really can deliver affordable cellulosic sugars. As a key member of the commercial team Duncan understands the evolving cleantech competitive landscape, is continually learning about the specific needs of our partners and customers, and defines strategies to accelerate growth as Renmatix commences full-scale implementation and replication on a national, and then global, scale.
Duncan’s unique perspective is informed by 12 years of igniting the junction where marketing strategy meets commercial activation within both industrial and consumer categories. Prior to joining Renmatix, Duncan served as a management consultant specializing in topline revenue growth. He worked to profitably increase market share for blue chip clients on engagements across the globe in industries like: Chemicals, Energy, Metals, Clean Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Food Ingredients, many segments within the Beverage space, and a wide range of Consumer Packaged Goods. Duncan also brings strong experience in solving the challenges that exist during commercialization of new technology. Before his consulting career, Duncan held various marketing roles ranging from CPG Brand Manager to Vice President of an innovative oil and gas technology startup. Duncan received his MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business (University of Virginia), and a BA in Political Science – International Relations from the University of Calgary, where in addition to other awards and distinctions he was recognized as a Rhodes Scholar nominee.