Our mission is to provide high-performance, cost-competitive, and environmentally-friendly solutions for the global construction materials market.
Leveraging our depth and breadth of experience, we pride ourselves in catalyzing full-system changes in concrete production, not just incremental improvements over existing processes and technologies.
W. Chance Allen
Chief Operating Officer
For the past 28 years, Chance has held multiple executive positions with industry leaders in the U.S. construction materials market. Chance started his career with DuPont in the precious minerals business and then spent 20 years at Martin Marietta, becoming Regional Vice President in the Southwest Division. In 2019, Chance joined Holcim as the Region Head/General Manager of the Mountain Region. He was responsible for many operations across the western half of the U.S. including ready-mix, asphalt, aggregates, construction, and lightweight materials.
Education
MBA, Summa Cum Laude, Strayer, University
BS, Mining Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, University Missouri Rolla Science & Technology
Senior Leaders Business School IV, The Ivey Academy, Switzerland
With a career spanning 28 years in the construction materials industry, Chance has a proven success record in leading large, regional operations with both Martin Marietta and, most recently, Holcim as Mountain Region Head. While with Du Pont, Chance became adept at lean manufacturing and six sigma principles when developing operating strategies and KPI improvements. At Holcim, Chance and his team acquired more than 400M tons of strategic reserves and performed multiple largescale acquisitions across the western United States. Chance is a leader in innovation and sustainability. Chance and his team championed two large carbon positive projects demonstrating significant reduction in cement through alternative SCM’s and mix designs. Chance continues to champion world class safety metrics by creating an interdependent culture of empowerment and inclusion. In addition to operational excellence, Chance’s expertise includes land acquisition, permitting, people development, supply chain management, logistics, and capital management.
Education
MBA, Summa Cum Laude, Strayer, University
BS, Mining Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, University Missouri Rolla Science & Technology
Senior Leaders Business School IV, The Ivey Academy, Switzerland
Chance brings nearly 28 years of executive leadership to the Terra team. In his last role as Region Head for Holcim in the western U.S. Chance directed innovation, sustainability, circular construction, and eco-friendly product development. Chance is a strategic and innovative executive with extensive experience in lean manufacturing, sales management, contract negotiations, land acquisitions, public relations, and M&A ranging from $4M to $600M. Chance developed a mentoring program to foster and support the early careers of engineers and young professionals in the industry.
Chance has served on many boards, and currently holds board positions with the University of Missouri Science & Technology, Mining Department, and Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Education
MBA, Summa Cum Laude, Strayer, University
BS, Mining Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, University Missouri Rolla Science & Technology
Senior Leaders Business School IV, The Ivey Academy, Switzerland
Michele Blackburn
Commercial Director
Prior to joining Terra CO2 as Commercial Director, Michele spent 25 years at Saint-Gobain and 7 years at Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway Company in a variety of commercial leadership roles. During her tenure at both, Michele amassed significant global experience managing product development teams, leading sales teams, running marketing and branding programs, and most recently, working in global strategy and portfolio management.
Education
MBA, West Virginia Wesleyan
BS, Ceramic Engineering, Rutgers University
Michele has over 30 years of B2B commercial experience. Prior to joining Terra, Michele worked in product management, marketing, business development, strategy, and sales roles at both Saint-Gobain and Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway Company.
Education
MBA, West Virginia Wesleyan
BS, Ceramic Engineering, Rutgers University
Michele is an accomplished commercial leader bringing over 30 years of B2B commercial experience to Terra CO2. Prior to joining Terra, Michele worked in product management, marketing, business development, strategy, and sales roles at both Saint-Gobain and Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. Having started in manufacturing as a process engineer and quality manager, throughout her career Michele has championed all aspects of business and knows how to bring enduring value to Terra’s customers and partners.
Education
MBA, West Virginia Wesleyan
BS, Ceramic Engineering, Rutgers University
Matt Budai
Technologist and Engineer in Training
Matt has been gaining experience as a process engineer with Terra since 2020. He was an integral part of the development of the original prototype reactor at the Vancouver R&D lab, as well as with the commissioning and operating of Terra’s Pilot plant in Colorado. Matt is Terra’s most senior operator and has developed efficient systems with his trove of experience in powder handling and production of Opus SEM.
Before joining Terra, Matt worked on various natural gas energy projects throughout Western Canada during his work terms with the Engineering Co-Op program through the University of British Columbia.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending his free time skiing or hiking the coastal mountains.
Matt is committed to finding clean solutions to the world’s growing material demands and translates this passion into his work at Terra.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science, Chemical Engineering, University of British Columbia
Matt has been gaining experience as a process engineer with Terra since 2020. He was an integral part of the development of the original prototype reactor at the Vancouver R&D lab, as well as with the commissioning and operating of Terra’s Pilot plant in Colorado. Matt is Terra’s most senior operator and has developed efficient systems with his trove of experience in powder handling and production of Opus SEM.
Before joining Terra, Matt worked on various natural gas energy projects throughout Western Canada during his work terms with the Engineering Co-Op program through the University of British Columbia.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending his free time skiing or hiking the coastal mountains.
Matt is committed to finding clean solutions to the world’s growing material demands and translates this passion into his work at Terra.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science, Chemical Engineering, University of British Columbia
Matt has been gaining experience as a process engineer with Terra since 2020. He was an integral part of the development of the original prototype reactor at the Vancouver R&D lab, as well as with the commissioning and operating of Terra’s Pilot plant in Colorado. Matt is Terra’s most senior operator and has developed efficient systems with his trove of experience in powder handling and production of Opus SEM.
Before joining Terra, Matt worked on various natural gas energy projects throughout Western Canada during his work terms with the Engineering Co-Op program through the University of British Columbia.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending his free time skiing or hiking the coastal mountains.
Matt is committed to finding clean solutions to the world’s growing material demands and translates this passion into his work at Terra.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science, Chemical Engineering, University of British Columbia
Stephanie Cox
Board of Directors
Stephanie is an influential and transformative executive with 25+ years of experience leading global businesses and corporate functions. Stephanie was formerly the Executive President for the Operations business unit at Wood, a $2.3B global business focused on energy transition delivering maintenance, modifications, brownfield engineering, decommissioning and asset management. Prior to joining Wood, Stephanie held multiple executive leadership roles with Schlumberger including leading the North America operations based in Houston, Asia Pacific operations based in Kuala Lumpur, and CHRO based in Paris. In these roles, Ms. Cox led diverse teams, was responsible for multi-billion-dollar operations, developed strategies to differentiate businesses and supported acquisition integrations.
In addition to Terra CO2, Stephanie also serves on the Board of Directors for Alliant Energy and Technip Energies. Stephanie is a Certified Corporate Director by the National Association of Corporate Directors.
Education
BA, Materials Logistics Management, Michigan State University
Stephanie is an influential and transformative executive with 25+ years of experience leading global businesses and corporate functions. Stephanie was formerly the Executive President for the Operations business unit at Wood, a $2.3B global business focused on energy transition delivering maintenance, modifications, brownfield engineering, decommissioning and asset management. Prior to joining Wood, Stephanie held multiple executive leadership roles with Schlumberger including leading the North America operations based in Houston, Asia Pacific operations based in Kuala Lumpur, and CHRO based in Paris. In these roles, Ms. Cox led diverse teams, was responsible for multi-billion-dollar operations, developed strategies to differentiate businesses and supported acquisition integrations.
In addition to Terra CO2, Stephanie also serves on the Board of Directors for Alliant Energy and Technip Energies. Stephanie is a Certified Corporate Director by the National Association of Corporate Directors.
Education
BA, Materials Logistics Management, Michigan State University
Josh Davies, Ph.D.
Chemistry Lead, Research and Development
Josh is a Chemist with 20 years of experience in the material, organic, and analytical fields. His focus is on process development in areas of green chemistry, renewable energy, and functional materials.
Drawing on deep knowledge in invention, process development, and commercialization, Josh leads the Chemistry team at Terra. He develops and implements novel materials, chemical processes, and analytical techniques needed to drive innovation and optimization of low-carbon advanced cementitious materials.
Previously, Josh was a senior scientist of analytical development with Stemcell Technologies and a process chemist with S2G Biochemicals (Fortress Advanced Bioproducts).
Education
Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, University of Washington
BS, Simon Fraser University
Josh is a Chemist with 20 years of experience in the material, organic, and analytical fields. His focus is on process development in areas of green chemistry, renewable energy, and functional materials.
Drawing on deep knowledge in invention, process development, and commercialization, Josh leads the Chemistry team at Terra. He develops and implements novel materials, chemical processes, and analytical techniques needed to drive innovation and optimization of low-carbon advanced cementitious materials.
Previously, Josh was a senior scientist of analytical development with Stemcell Technologies and a process chemist with S2G Biochemicals (Fortress Advanced Bioproducts).
Education
Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, University of Washington
BS, Simon Fraser University
Lee Groat, Ph.D.
Professor, University of British Columbia
Professor Groat has been a faculty member at the University of British Columbia since 1989. His main research interests are economic geology (including critical elements) and the crystal chemistry of minerals. He has published more than 150 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and is the author and co-author of several books.
From 2001 to 2006 Dr. Groat was Editor of American Mineralogist. He is the former Co-Editor (2012) and Editor (2013-2022) of The Canadian Mineralogist.
In 2003 Dr. Groat was elected a Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America, and in 2009 the new mineral groatite, NaCaMn2+2(PO4)[PO3(OH)] 2, was named in his honor. In 2019 he was awarded the Leonard G. Berry Medal for distinguished service to the Mineralogical Association of Canada.
Since 2007 Professor Groat has been Director of the Integrated Sciences at UBC, a program for the top students in science that allows them to customize their degrees.
Professor Groat is an Independent Director of multiple companies in the exploration and technology spheres and a partner in a private consulting company.
Education
NATO Postdoctoral Fellow, Cambridge University
Ph.D. Geological Science, University of Manitoba
BS, Geology with Honors, Queen’s College
Professor Groat has been a faculty member at the University of British Columbia since 1989. His main research interests are economic geology (including critical elements) and the crystal chemistry of minerals. He has published more than 150 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and is the author and co-author of several books.
From 2001 to 2006 Dr. Groat was Editor of American Mineralogist. He is the former Co-Editor (2012) and Editor (2013-2022) of The Canadian Mineralogist.
In 2003 Dr. Groat was elected a Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America, and in 2009 the new mineral groatite, NaCaMn2+2(PO4)[PO3(OH)] 2, was named in his honor. In 2019 he was awarded the Leonard G. Berry Medal for distinguished service to the Mineralogical Association of Canada.
Since 2007 Professor Groat has been Director of the Integrated Sciences at UBC, a program for the top students in science that allows them to customize their degrees.
Professor Groat is an Independent Director of multiple companies in the exploration and technology spheres and a partner in a private consulting company.
Education
NATO Postdoctoral Fellow, Cambridge University
Ph.D. Geological Science, University of Manitoba
BS, Geology with Honors, Queen’s College
Jon Groves
Senior Operations Manager
Jon comes to his position as Terra CO2’s Sr. Operations Manager after spending the previous 11 years as an Imerys Mine and Operations Manager, operating one of the largest perlite deposits in the United States. Prior to joining Imerys, Jon worked for 7 years in the lime mining industry with Carmeuse Lime and Mississippi Lime. Jon accumulated deep firsthand operations experience working as a production supervisor and Process Engineer, managing day to day operations of multiple Preheater rotary kilns. In this role, Jon executed projects that significantly increased throughput greater than 10% above nameplate capacity while at the same time reducing fuel consumption by the same amount. This helped increase mining operation gross margins from 3% to 22% in a span of 3 years.
Education
BS, Environmental Science and Chemistry, University of Oklahoma
Jon spent the previous 11 years as an Imerys Mine and Operations Manager. leading operations at one of the largest perlite deposits in the United States. Prior to the Imerys role, Jon worked for 7 years in the lime mining industry with Carmeuse Lime and Mississippi Lime. Jon accumulated deep firsthand operations experience working as a production supervisor and Process Engineer, managing day to day operations of Preheater rotary kilns. In this role, Jon executed projects that significantly increased throughput while at the same time keeping fuel efficiency and power consumption below budget. Jon also has significant environmental emissions experience as he spent 2 years stack testing and helping with mass flow balances on oil refinery processes and various power plants in the Great Lakes region. Throughout his career, Jon has been involved in multi-million-dollar maintenance outages and capital improvement projects.
Education
BS, Environmental Science and Chemistry, University of Oklahoma
Jon spent the previous 11 years as an Imerys Mine and Operations Manager, operating one of the largest perlite deposits in the United States. Prior to that Jon spent 7 years in the lime industry as a process engineer and production supervisor. Jon also has significant environmental emissions experience as he spent 2 years stack testing and helping with mass flow balances on oil refinery processes and various power plants in the Great Lakes region.
Education
BS, Environmental Science and Chemistry, University of Oklahoma
John Guillen
Geologist and Lead Pilot Plant Operator
John’s experience includes twelve years of multidisciplinary QA & QC scientific and technical roles. Prior to joining Terra, John was a Geologist in the oil & gas industry. He managed daily drilling operations and conducted geotechnical & geochemical investigations. He has extensive experience in construction materials testing and has traveled across the US to calibrate technical instruments for accredited labs with ISO certifications at concrete, soil, chemical, asphalt, and binder laboratories.
In his role at Terra CO2, John works to ensure continuous operation of the pilot plant and maintain QA/QC specifications through laboratory testing.
Education
BS, Applied Geology, Metropolitan State University – Denver.
John’s experience includes twelve years of multidisciplinary QA & QC scientific and technical roles. Prior to joining Terra, John was a Geologist in the oil & gas industry. He managed daily drilling operations and conducted geotechnical & geochemical investigations. He has extensive experience in construction materials testing and has traveled across the US to calibrate technical instruments for accredited labs with ISO certifications at concrete, soil, chemical, asphalt, and binder laboratories.
In his role at Terra CO2, John works to ensure continuous operation of the pilot plant and maintain QA/QC specifications through laboratory testing.
Education
BS, Applied Geology, Metropolitan State University – Denver.
John’s experience includes twelve years of multidisciplinary QA & QC scientific and technical roles. Prior to joining Terra, John was a Geologist in the oil & gas industry. He managed daily drilling operations and conducted geotechnical & geochemical investigations. He has extensive experience in construction materials testing and has traveled across the US to calibrate technical instruments for accredited labs with ISO certifications at concrete, soil, chemical, asphalt, and binder laboratories.
In his role at Terra CO2, John works to ensure continuous operation of the pilot plant and maintain QA/QC specifications through laboratory testing.
Education
BS, Applied Geology, Metropolitan State University – Denver.
Ian Hensler
Lead Concrete Materials Engineer
Ian is a Materials Engineer who oversees the concrete testing program while supporting the development of Terra CO2’s production facilities. He works with major suppliers of concrete admixtures and aggregates to optimize mix designs, test new products, and ensure TerraCO2’s SCM, SCM+, and ACM products meet all industry standards for strength and durability.
Ian has been working in the construction industry since 2010, working in roles from project management to quality control. During his time with Lindsay Precast, Ian assisted in many major infrastructure projects throughout Colorado including bridges, box culverts, and stormwater detention systems.
Education
BS, Physics, Fort Lewis College
Colorado Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (completed)
Ian is a Materials Engineer who oversees the concrete testing program while supporting the development of Terra CO2’s production facilities. He works with major suppliers of concrete admixtures and aggregates to optimize mix designs, test new products, and ensure TerraCO2’s SCM, SCM+, and ACM products meet all industry standards for strength and durability.
Ian has been working in the construction industry since 2010, working in roles from project management to quality control. During his time with Lindsay Precast, Ian assisted in many major infrastructure projects throughout Colorado including bridges, box culverts, and stormwater detention systems.
Education
BS, Physics, Fort Lewis College
Colorado Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (completed)
Cameron Hill
Operations Manager
Cameron manages the pilot operations in Vancouver and is assisting in the rapid development of Terra’s first production-scale facility. He has worked extensively in heavy industrial operations. Cameron began his technical career with work placements at Teck Resources, where he advanced laboratory research into pilot-scale testing, and with Steelhead LNG where he was involved with front-end project development of a medium-scale LNG facility.
Prior to joining Terra CO2, Cameron was an Operator-Engineer with BQE Water, running ion exchange and sulfide precipitation mine water treatment plants in sub-arctic Quebec.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering, Materials Engineering, McGill University
Cameron manages the pilot operations in Vancouver and is assisting in the rapid development of Terra’s first production-scale facility. He has worked extensively in heavy industrial operations. Cameron began his technical career with work placements at Teck Resources, where he advanced laboratory research into pilot-scale testing, and with Steelhead LNG where he was involved with front-end project development of a medium-scale LNG facility.
Prior to joining Terra CO2, Cameron was an Operator-Engineer with BQE Water, running ion exchange and sulfide precipitation mine water treatment plants in sub-arctic Quebec.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering, Materials Engineering, McGill University
Cameron manages the pilot operations in Vancouver and is assisting in the rapid development of Terra’s first production-scale facility. He has worked extensively in heavy industrial operations. Cameron began his technical career with work placements at Teck Resources, where he advanced laboratory research into pilot-scale testing, and with Steelhead LNG where he was involved with front-end project development of a medium-scale LNG facility.
Prior to joining Terra CO2, Cameron was an Operator-Engineer with BQE Water, running ion exchange and sulfide precipitation mine water treatment plants in sub-arctic Quebec.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering, Materials Engineering, McGill University
Dylan Huber
R&D lab specialist
Dylan has decades of experience working in the construction and energy sectors, bringing with him a background in both scientific training and real-world industry application. Prior to Terra, Dylan worked as a pipeline inspector across most of Colorado, ensuring the safety and engineering compliance for major energy infrastructure installations across the Greater Denver Area. At Terra, he works as a pilot plant operator at the Golden, CO location. In this important operations role, he installs, maintains, and repairs the pilot plant equipment/machinery.
Education
BS Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming – College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Dylan has decades of experience working in the construction and energy sectors, bringing with him a background in both scientific training and real-world industry application. Prior to Terra, Dylan worked as a pipeline inspector across most of Colorado, ensuring the safety and engineering compliance for major energy infrastructure installations across the Greater Denver Area. At Terra, he works as a pilot plant operator at the Golden, CO location. In this important operations role, he installs, maintains, and repairs the pilot plant equipment/machinery.
Education
BS Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming – College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Robert D. Kartheiser, Jr.
Chief Business Officer and Treasurer
Bob brings 35 years of leadership experience in the US and emerging markets managing teams across the life cycle of a broad class of energy and infrastructure (E&I) assets. Bob led a major IPP’s finance and development team for Latin America for 6 years, sat on its global investment committee, and is now an investment committee member for a credit fund focused on decarbonization E&I in Colombia. As a past partner and departmental head of E&I teams at some of the world’s leading law firms (Milbank, A&O, and Paul Hastings), Bob acted on deals involving a diverse range of E&I assets (and portfolios), closed transactions with capital costs in the billions of dollars in multiple languages and on several continents, and oversaw investments at all levels of the capital stack for some of the world’s largest and most dynamic infrastructure and energy investors and debt providers. As a result, Bob brings an uncommon breadth and depth of experience to structuring and executing debt and equity investments in E&I assets.
Education
MBA and JD (Stone Scholar) from Columbia University graduate schools of business and law, respectively
Undergraduate degree from Princeton University (cum laude)
Post-graduate fellowship to study freedom of the press during military government at the Universidad de Buenos Aires
Bob brings 35 years of leadership experience in the US and emerging markets managing teams across the life cycle of a broad class of energy and infrastructure (E&I) assets. Bob led a major IPP’s finance and development team for Latin America for 6 years, sat on its global investment committee, and is now an investment committee member for a credit fund focused on decarbonization E&I in Colombia. As a past partner and departmental head of E&I teams at some of the world’s leading law firms (Milbank, A&O, and Paul Hastings), Bob acted on deals involving a diverse range of E&I assets (and portfolios), closed transactions with capital costs in the billions of dollars in multiple languages and on several continents, and oversaw investments at all levels of the capital stack for some of the world’s largest and most dynamic infrastructure and energy investors and debt providers. As a result, Bob brings an uncommon breadth and depth of experience to structuring and executing debt and equity investments in E&I assets.
Education
MBA and JD (Stone Scholar) from Columbia University graduate schools of business and law, respectively
Undergraduate degree from Princeton University (cum laude)
Post-graduate fellowship to study freedom of the press during military government at the Universidad de Buenos Aires
Donald J. Lake (“DJ”)
Founder and Chief Science Officer
As the founder of TerraCO2’s technology suite, D.J. leads the Company’s Research and Development initiatives. D.J. has been involved with several generations of analysis, development, and testing for TerraCO2 since 2015. He built and developed the technology at lab scale and three pilot plant iterations which have produced engineered SCM products for concrete. These pilot plants have thousands of hours of uptime and have delivered OPUS SCM to potential customers from an unprecedented variety of raw material feedstocks.
D.J.’s passion for geology encouraged him to pursue it as a business. With his team, he has creatively overcome many technical obstacles to bring OPUS technology to commercialization. DJ also enjoys speaking with investors about TerraCO2 and working with potential customers looking for synergistic partnerships.
DJ is an emerging expert in the field of alternative cementitious materials through his research in both the public and private sectors. He has 14 US patents and numerous others pending internationally.
Education
Candidate: PhD, Geological Science, The University of British Columbia
MSc, Geological Science, The University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing, The University of British Columbia
As the founder of TerraCO2’s technology suite, D.J. leads the Company’s Research and Development initiatives. D.J. has been involved with several generations of analysis, development, and testing for TerraCO2 since 2015. He built and developed the technology at lab scale and three pilot plant iterations which have produced engineered SCM products for concrete. These pilot plants have thousands of hours of uptime and have delivered OPUS SCM to potential customers from an unprecedented variety of raw material feedstocks.
D.J.’s passion for geology encouraged him to pursue it as a business. With his team, he has creatively overcome many technical obstacles to bring OPUS technology to commercialization. DJ also enjoys speaking with investors about TerraCO2 and working with potential customers looking for synergistic partnerships.
DJ is an emerging expert in the field of alternative cementitious materials through his research in both the public and private sectors. He has 14 US patents and numerous others pending internationally.
Education
Candidate: PhD, Geological Science, The University of British Columbia
MSc, Geological Science, The University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing, The University of British Columbia
Daniel Logan, Ph.D.
Senior Data Scientist
Daniel has over twenty-five years’ experience creating, analyzing, and managing data across many fields including astronomy, biotechnology, agriculture and sports. Prior to joining Terra, he was a key member of the data team at Semios developing data pipelines as well as analytical and machine learning models.
At Terra, Daniel is creating the infrastructure and applications necessary to efficiently characterize materials and processes. From coding web apps and designing databases to wrangling the data of a fast growing company like Terra CO2, Daniel is excited to leverage insights toward the production of sustainable cement.
Education
Ph.D. Astronomy, University of Massachusetts
BS Engineering Physics, University of Illinois
Daniel has over twenty-five years’ experience creating, analyzing, and managing data across many fields including astronomy, biotechnology, agriculture and sports. Prior to joining Terra, he was a key member of the data team at Semios developing data pipelines as well as analytical and machine learning models.
At Terra, Daniel is creating the infrastructure and applications necessary to efficiently characterize materials and processes. From coding web apps and designing databases to wrangling the data of a fast growing company like Terra CO2, Daniel is excited to leverage insights toward the production of sustainable cement.
Education
Ph.D. Astronomy, University of Massachusetts
BS Engineering Physics, University of Illinois
Evelien Martens, Ph.D.
Director of Research and Development
Evelien has a strong analytical background and is experienced in the design, execution, and management of laboratory experiments, supplemented by modelling skills. Over the past 15 years, she has developed a strong set of research skills, first at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, then at the CSIRO in Australia and since 2019, at Terra CO2. Evelien was one of our very first employees, and over the years, she’s been involved in many different research streams, from advancing geopolymer cement chemistry and analysis to more market-related research topics. Currently, her focus is on our first commercial product, OPUS SCM. One aspect of her work that Evelien really enjoys are the customer facing activities. Evelein is generally involved in the early stages of customer engagement and working with customer raw material validation.
Education
Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, University of Western Australia
MS Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven (Belgium)
Bachelor in Engineering Sciences, KU Leuven (Belgium)
Evelien has a strong analytical background and is experienced in the design, execution, and management of laboratory experiments, supplemented by modelling skills. Over the past 15 years, she has developed a strong set of research skills, first at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, then at the CSIRO in Australia and since 2019, at Terra CO2. Evelien was one of our very first employees, and over the years, she’s been involved in many different research streams, from advancing geopolymer cement chemistry and analysis to more market-related research topics. Currently, her focus is on our first commercial product, OPUS SCM. One aspect of her work that Evelien really enjoys are the customer facing activities. Evelein is generally involved in the early stages of customer engagement and working with customer raw material validation.
Education
Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, University of Western Australia
MS Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven (Belgium)
Bachelor in Engineering Sciences, KU Leuven (Belgium)
Brian Mayers, Ph.D.
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Brian works on the investment team at Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV). BEV was founded by Bill Gates and is backed by many of the world’s top business leaders. BEV has raised more than $2 billion in committed capital to support cutting-edge companies that are leading the world to net-zero emissions. BEV is a purpose-built investment firm that seeks to invest, launch, and scale global companies that will eliminate GHG emissions throughout the economy as soon as possible.
Prior to joining BEV, Brian spent 15 years as a business founder and operator focused on the application of advanced materials to a wide range of industries. These include energy, agriculture, healthcare, and consumer products among others. Brian’s business experience is underpinned by a robust technical background in Chemistry and Material Science through his PhD work at the University of Washington, Seattle, and Postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. He has co-authored 25 patents and 30 peer-reviewed publications.
Education
Post Doc Fellow, Harvard University
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Washington
Brian works on the investment team at Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV). BEV was founded by Bill Gates and is backed by many of the world’s top business leaders. BEV has raised more than $2 billion in committed capital to support cutting-edge companies that are leading the world to net-zero emissions. BEV is a purpose-built investment firm that seeks to invest, launch, and scale global companies that will eliminate GHG emissions throughout the economy as soon as possible.
Prior to joining BEV, Brian spent 15 years as a business founder and operator focused on the application of advanced materials to a wide range of industries. These include energy, agriculture, healthcare, and consumer products among others. Brian’s business experience is underpinned by a robust technical background in Chemistry and Material Science through his PhD work at the University of Washington, Seattle, and Postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. He has co-authored 25 patents and 30 peer-reviewed publications.
Education
Post Doc Fellow, Harvard University
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Washington
Randel Mercer
CTO, CoorsTek
Randel has three decades of experience in technical materials businesses and is currently the Chief Technology Officer at CoorsTek, the global leader in Technical Ceramics. In addition to operating research and development facilities in the U.S., Japan, and the Netherlands, Randel’s team also processes millions of pounds of raw materials each month to create hundreds of proprietary formulations. Randel joined CoorsTek in 1999 and has held global positions in general management, technology, and business development. Prior to CoorsTek, Randel served as marketing & product manager at Morgan Technical Ceramics, in addition to roles at Halma and student research work at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Education
MBA, Entrepreneurship, Santa Clara University
MS, Materials Science, University of California, San Diego
BS, Mechanical Engineering & Material Science, University of California, Berkeley
Randel has been a trusted and valuable advisor to Terra CO2 for several years. Randel brings a wealth of experience given his role at CoorsTek as their leader of global technology as well as volume material production. Randel has held global positions in general management, technology, and business development, including international technology licensing.
Education
MBA, Entrepreneurship, Santa Clara University
MS, Materials Science, University of California, San Diego
BS, Mechanical Engineering & Material Science, University of California, Berkeley
Randel Mercer has three decades of experience in technical materials businesses and is currently the Chief Technology Officer at CoorsTek, an engineered materials company with 6,000 employees who create customized solutions for Semiconductor, Medical, Automotive and Defense customers. In addition to operating research and development facilities in the U.S., Japan and the Netherlands, Randel’s team also processes millions of pounds of raw materials each month to create hundreds of proprietary formulations. Randel joined CoorsTek in 1999 and has held global positions in general management, technology, and business development. Prior to CoorsTek, Randel served as marketing & product manager at Morgan Technical Ceramics, in addition to roles at Halma and student research work at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Education
MBA, Entrepreneurship, Santa Clara University
MS, Materials Science, University of California, San Diego
BS, Mechanical Engineering & Material Science, University of California, Berkeley
Eliar Mosaferi, Ph.D.
Process Chemist (Research and Development)
Eliar has a wide range of chemistry experience ranging from organic synthesis to analytical chemistry. His industrial experience range includes laboratory scale to pilot-plant commissioning and comes from his experience in multiple scale-up projects in the past. He has 10 years of experience in R&D research settings that span both academic and industrial applications. Prior to joining Terra, Eliar was a process chemist at Carbon Engineering Ltd, where he was responsible for product characterization, process scale-up and optimization, and coordination between R&D and engineering teams.
Education
PhD Inorganic Chemistry, University of Toronto
BS Chemistry, University of British Columbia
Eliar has a wide range of chemistry experience ranging from organic synthesis to analytical chemistry. His industrial experience range includes laboratory scale to pilot-plant commissioning and comes from his experience in multiple scale-up projects in the past. He has 10 years of experience in R&D research settings that span both academic and industrial applications. Prior to joining Terra, Eliar was a process chemist at Carbon Engineering Ltd, where he was responsible for product characterization, process scale-up and optimization, and coordination between R&D and engineering teams.
Education
PhD Inorganic Chemistry, University of Toronto
BS Chemistry, University of British Columbia
Nigel Noah
R&D Lab Specialist
Nigel has five years’ experience in the cement and concrete industry. Nigel worked at Martin Marietta’s Hunter cement plant, where he gained the fundamentals of cement plant operation and quality control. Following that, Noah worked in a ready-mix concrete plant as a field and lab technician for Martin Marietta’s Western Division, where he worked with some of the most experienced individuals in the region.
Education
BA, Chemistry, Texas Tech University
Nigel has five years’ experience in the cement and concrete industry. Nigel worked at Martin Marietta’s Hunter cement plant, where he gained the fundamentals of cement plant operation and quality control. Following that, Noah worked in a ready-mix concrete plant as a field and lab technician for Martin Marietta’s Western Division, where he worked with some of the most experienced individuals in the region.
Education
BA, Chemistry, Texas Tech University
John Pontarollo
Advisor
John has over 30 years of experience in the construction, concrete, aggregates and cement industries through his employment with various global construction material companies most recently, Ash Grove Cement, a CRH Company. Throughout his career, John has been a business leader across all divisions. It began in 1990 with Dufferin Construction where John led various projects including the completion of the concrete highway, the 407 ETR, in Canada.
John has held many leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Dufferin Concrete, Dufferin Aggregates, Dufferin Construction, and Ash Grove Cement North Region. Most recently, he led the Sustainability and Innovation team at Ash Grove Cement North America, where he was involved in developing the strategy for carbon neutrality by 2050 as well as launching the innovation team leading the way for future sustainable development projects across the cement industry. He completed his Civil Engineering degree and Master of Applied Science degree at the University of Toronto. His thesis focussed on the environmental life cycle costs of concrete and asphalt roads, as he has always had a passion for sustainability and innovation. In addition to his extensive work experience, John completed his MBA in 2002 and received his
Board of Directors certificate in 2022. John has been a mentor and coach to many across his career and has always been a leader able to move from boots to boards, interacting with all levels of the company.
Education
Master in Business Administration, Rotman School, University of Toronto
Masters in Applied Science, Civil Engineering, University of Toronto
Bachelor of Applied Science, Civil Engineering, University of Toronto
Certifications
ICD-Rotman, Directors Education Program, University of Toronto
Institute of Corporate Directors, ICD.D
Licensed Professional Engineer (Canada)
John has over 30 years of experience in the construction, concrete, aggregates and cement industries through his employment with various global construction material companies most recently, Ash Grove Cement, a CRH Company. Throughout his career, John has been a business leader across all divisions. It began in 1990 with Dufferin Construction where John led various projects including the completion of the concrete highway, the 407 ETR, in Canada.
John has held many leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Dufferin Concrete, Dufferin Aggregates, Dufferin Construction, and Ash Grove Cement North Region. Most recently, he led the Sustainability and Innovation team at Ash Grove Cement North America, where he was involved in developing the strategy for carbon neutrality by 2050 as well as launching the innovation team leading the way for future sustainable development projects across the cement industry. He completed his Civil Engineering degree and Master of Applied Science degree at the University of Toronto. His thesis focussed on the environmental life cycle costs of concrete and asphalt roads, as he has always had a passion for sustainability and innovation. In addition to his extensive work experience, John completed his MBA in 2002 and received his
Board of Directors certificate in 2022. John has been a mentor and coach to many across his career and has always been a leader able to move from boots to boards, interacting with all levels of the company.
Education
Master in Business Administration, Rotman School, University of Toronto
Masters in Applied Science, Civil Engineering, University of Toronto
Bachelor of Applied Science, Civil Engineering, University of Toronto
Certifications
ICD-Rotman, Directors Education Program, University of Toronto
Institute of Corporate Directors, ICD.D
Licensed Professional Engineer (Canada)
Madhuvandhi Ravi
Cementitious R&D Lead
Madhu currently leads and manages the cementitious material testing at Terra’s Vancouver lab after joining the team in 2019 as a graduate engineer. Leveraging her experience in civil engineering and sustainable construction materials research, she is also involved in designing, developing, and optimizing Opus ACM mixes.
She holds a graduate degree in Civil engineering from the University of British Columbia, specializing in structural materials under the SIERA (Sustainable Infrastructure Research) Group at UBC. She has over 5 years of hands-on experience in design, manufacture, and investigation of chemical, mechanical and durability properties of concrete materials. She was awarded the Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship for her thesis work on cement-based bio-composites at UBC and recently been recognized as a RADIUS’2022 Fellow at the Simon Fraser University for emerging leadership in sustainability.
Education
Master of Applied Science, Civil Engineering Materials, University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Technology, Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (India)
Madhu currently leads and manages the cementitious material testing at Terra’s Vancouver lab after joining the team in 2019 as a graduate engineer. Leveraging her experience in civil engineering and sustainable construction materials research, she is also involved in designing, developing, and optimizing Opus ACM mixes.
She holds a graduate degree in Civil engineering from the University of British Columbia, specializing in structural materials under the SIERA (Sustainable Infrastructure Research) Group at UBC. She has over 5 years of hands-on experience in design, manufacture, and investigation of chemical, mechanical and durability properties of concrete materials. She was awarded the Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship for her thesis work on cement-based bio-composites at UBC and recently been recognized as a RADIUS’2022 Fellow at the Simon Fraser University for emerging leadership in sustainability.
Education
Master of Applied Science, Civil Engineering Materials, University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Technology, Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (India)
Deepak Ravikumar, Ph.D.
Lead Scientist of Research and Development
Deepak has over 10 years of experience developing and commercializing novel cement and concrete technologies. His expertise includes designing, evaluating, and developing specifications for sustainable cementitious materials to reduce the carbon footprint associated with concrete manufacturing. Prior to joining TerraCO2, Deepak was the Director of Quality and was a Senior Research Scientist at Solidia Technologies.
Education
Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University
Bachelor of Technology Civil Engineering, SRM University (India)
Deepak has over 10 years of experience developing and commercializing novel cement and concrete technologies. His expertise includes designing, evaluating, and developing specifications for sustainable cementitious materials to reduce the carbon footprint associated with concrete manufacturing. Prior to joining TerraCO2, Deepak was the Director of Quality and was a Senior Research Scientist at Solidia Technologies.
Education
Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University
Bachelor of Technology Civil Engineering, SRM University (India)
Bryan Rodriguez
Maintenance Lead and Pilot Plant Operator
Before joining Terra CO2, Bryan worked at Blackeagle Energy Services and built and operated some of the earlier iterations of the our reactor technology. While at Terra CO2, Bryan helped fabricate the Golden pilot plant and is involved in day to day operations and maintenance. Bryan is a certified pipe welder and has done above ground work fitting and welding work in the oil and gas industry. Mechanically inclined by nature, Bryan started his career working in bicycle shops as a mechanic.
Education
Associates Degree: Applied Science – Welding, Front Range Community College
Before joining Terra CO2, Bryan worked at Blackeagle Energy Services and built and operated some of the earlier iterations of the our reactor technology. While at Terra CO2, Bryan helped fabricate the Golden pilot plant and is involved in day to day operations and maintenance. Bryan is a certified pipe welder and has done above ground work fitting and welding work in the oil and gas industry. Mechanically inclined by nature, Bryan started his career working in bicycle shops as a mechanic.
Education
Associates Degree: Applied Science – Welding, Front Range Community College
Anjy Salinas, CPA, CCIFP, CRIS
Chief Financial Officer
Prior to joining Terra CO2 as Chief Financial Officer, Anjy was a senior financial executive in the construction industry. For more than 10 years, Anjy was the CFO at a large general contractor in Texas with $750M in annual revenue. During her tenure, Anjy directly managed all finance, accounting, audit, payroll, and IT functions while shepherding the company through a period of explosive growth that saw a $500M increase in revenue along with the addition of several wholly owned subsidiaries and multiple joint ventures. One of her most significant accomplishments was the design of a cost control system to manage logistics, tracking, budgeting, and forecasting across multiple funding sources.
Education
Master of Accountancy, University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business
Master of Business and Finance Administration, University of Texas, McCombs School of Business
BS, Civil Technology Construction Management, University of Houston
Certifications
CPA, CRIS®, CCIFP®
Prior to joining Terra CO2 as CFO, Anjy spent 10 years as the CFO for a major general contractor in Texas during a period of high revenue growth including increasing organic revenue, acquisitions, and joint ventures. Anjy’s financial leadership experience includes business process design, execution and improvement, financial reporting, budgeting, cost accounting, and auditing.
Education
Master of Accountancy, University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business
Master of Business and Finance Administration, University of Texas, McCombs School of Business
BS, Civil Technology Construction Management, University of Houston
Certifications
CPA, CRIS®, CCIFP®
Prior to joining Terra CO2 as Chief Financial Officer, Anjy was a senior financial executive in the construction industry. For more than 10 years, Anjy was the CFO for a large general contractor in Texas. During her tenure, Anjy directly managed all finance, accounting, audit, payroll, and IT functions while shepherding the company through a period of explosive growth that saw a $500M increase in revenue along with the addition of several wholly owned subsidiaries and multiple joint ventures. One of her most significant accomplishments was the design of a cost control system to manage logistics, tracking, budgeting, and forecasting across multiple funding sources.
Education
Master of Accountancy, University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business
Master of Business and Finance Administration, University of Texas, McCombs School of Business
BS, Civil Technology Construction Management, University of Houston
Certifications
CPA, CRIS®, CCIFP®
Aaron Sease
Project Engineer
Aaron has five years’ experience in Project Management, including working at a Fortune 500 paper and packaging company in a variety of maintenance & reliability roles. Aaron has worked on capital projects and machine outages as well as several multi-million-dollar construction projects, focusing on mechanical and plumbing systems in healthcare and lab settings.
Education
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech
Aaron has five years’ experience in Project Management, including working at a Fortune 500 paper and packaging company in a variety of maintenance & reliability roles. Aaron has worked on capital projects and machine outages as well as several multi-million-dollar construction projects, focusing on mechanical and plumbing systems in healthcare and lab settings.
Education
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech
Aaron has five years’ experience in Project Management, including working at a Fortune 500 paper and packaging company in a variety of maintenance & reliability roles. Aaron has worked on capital projects and machine outages as well as several multi-million-dollar construction projects, focusing on mechanical and plumbing systems in healthcare and lab settings.
Education
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech
Pat Walker
Board of Directors
Pat has 45 years of in-depth experience in the construction materials sector. He has served as Martin Marietta Rocky Mountain Division President, President of Western Mobile Inc., President of Lafarge U.S. West Inc., President of Redland Stone Products Inc. located in San Antonio Texas, as well as President and Owner of Suburban Ready Mix located in Denver Colorado. Pat is a two term past president of the Colorado Ready Mix Concrete and Sand and Gravel Association and has served on numerous national and local industry boards. Holding leadership positions in aggregate mining, asphalt contracting, and ready-mix concrete businesses. Pat brings a unique and strategic perspective to Terra.
Patrick Walker recently retired from Martin Marietta Materials where he served as President of the company’s Rocky Mountain Division. For the past 45 years Pat has been involved in leadership positions in the aggregate mining, asphalt contracting and ready-mix concrete businesses, serving as President of Western Mobile Inc., President of Lafarge U.S. West Inc., President of Redland Stone Products Inc. located in San Antonio Texas, as well as President and Owner of Suburban Ready Mix located in Denver Colorado. Pat is a two term past president of the Colorado Ready Mix Concrete and Sand and Gravel Association and has served on numerous national and local industry boards. Pat has also served on the boards of Colorado Uplift, Denver Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, and Mountain States Employers Council. Pat currently resides in the Denver area.
Patrick Walker recently retired from Martin Marietta Materials where he served as President of the company’s Rocky Mountain Division. For the past 45 years Pat has been involved in leadership positions in the aggregate mining, asphalt contracting and ready-mix concrete businesses, serving as President of Western Mobile Inc., President of Lafarge U.S. West Inc., President of Redland Stone Products Inc. located in San Antonio Texas, as well as President and Owner of Suburban Ready Mix located in Denver Colorado. Pat is a two term past president of the Colorado Ready Mix Concrete and Sand and Gravel Association and has served on numerous national and local industry boards. Pat has also served on the boards of Colorado Uplift, Denver Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, and Mountain States Employers Council. Pat currently resides in the Denver area.
Eric West
Advisor
Eric has over 40 years of experience in construction materials engineering and concrete materials. He recently retired having been the Founder and President of WesTest, now part of Atlas Technical Consultants. WesTest was founded by Eric in 1998 after spending 8 years as Director of Technical Services for Redland Aggregates North America / Western Mobile, a leading NA supplier of aggregate, concrete and asphalt. Eric also spent 12 years as a consultant including Principal Engineer and Construction Services Manager for consulting engineering firms in Colorado and Wyoming. Eric has experience with aggregate sources throughout the western United States and has overseen the engineering of thousands of concrete mix designs. He has served on numerous technical committees since the early nineties working with the Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Department of Transportation, the Wyoming Highway Department, and municipalities establishing specifications for aggregate, Portland cement concrete and asphalt. Eric has been on the board of the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association since 2002.
BS, Civil Engineering, Colorado State University
Licensed Professional Engineer (numerous states)
Eric has over 40 years of experience in construction materials engineering and concrete mix design and until his recent retirement was President of WesTest, an Atlas Technical Consultants subsidiary. WesTest provides geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, concrete mix design and aggregate testing services to owners, developers, contractors and producers throughout Colorado and Wyoming. WesTest was founded by Eric in 1998, after spending 8 years as Director of Technical Services for Redland Aggregates North America / Western Mobile, the largest supplier of aggregate, concrete and asphalt in Colorado. Eric also spent 12 years as a consultant including Principal Engineer and Construction Services Manager. Eric has experience with aggregate sources throughout the western United States and has overseen the engineering of thousands of concrete mix designs. Eric has served on numerous technical committees since the early nineties working with the Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Department of Transportation, the Wyoming Highway Department, and municipalities establishing specifications for aggregate, Portland cement concrete and asphalt. Eric has been on the board of the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association since 2002.
BS, Civil Engineering, Colorado State University
Licensed Professional Engineer (numerous states)
Eric has over 40 years of experience in construction materials engineering and concrete mix design and until his recent retirement was President of WesTest, an Atlas Technical Consultants subsidiary. WesTest provides geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, concrete mix design and aggregate testing services to owners, developers, contractors and producers throughout Colorado and Wyoming. WesTest was founded by Eric in 1998, after spending 8 years as Director of Technical Services for Redland Aggregates North America / Western Mobile, the largest supplier of aggregate, concrete and asphalt in Colorado. Eric also spent 12 years as a consultant including Principal Engineer and Construction Services Manager. Eric has experience with aggregate sources throughout the western United States and has overseen the engineering of thousands of concrete mix designs. Eric has served on numerous technical committees since the early nineties working with the Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Department of Transportation, the Wyoming Highway Department, and municipalities establishing specifications for aggregate, Portland cement concrete and asphalt. Eric has been on the board of the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association since 2002.
BS, Civil Engineering, Colorado State University
Licensed Professional Engineer (numerous states)
Eric has over 40 years of experience in construction materials engineering and concrete mix design and until his recent retirement was President of WesTest, an Atlas Technical Consultants subsidiary. WesTest provides geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, concrete mix design and aggregate testing services to owners, developers, contractors and producers throughout Colorado and Wyoming. WesTest was founded by Eric in 1998, after spending 8 years as Director of Technical Services for Redland Aggregates North America / Western Mobile, the largest supplier of aggregate, concrete and asphalt in Colorado. Eric also spent 12 years as a consultant including Principal Engineer and Construction Services Manager. Eric has experience with aggregate sources throughout the western United States and has overseen the engineering of thousands of concrete mix designs. Eric has served on numerous technical committees since the early nineties working with the Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Department of Transportation, the Wyoming Highway Department, and municipalities establishing specifications for aggregate, Portland cement concrete and asphalt. Eric has been on the board of the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association since 2002.
BS, Civil Engineering, Colorado State University
Licensed Professional Engineer (numerous states)
Bill Yearsley, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
During the 1990’s Bill was executive director of Redland PLC, a FTSE 100 firm with 4.28B in revenues. He was a member of the board executive committee and led their worldwide aggregates group as chairman and CEO managing more than 12,000 employees across multiple continents. Redland also had an international footprint in ready mix concrete, asphalt, road building and precast products. Bill also co-founded a privately held company that performed heavy civil infrastructure projects throughout the western US with 1,600 employees. Over his career he has produced all types of concrete and poured and placed concrete in everything from bridges to industrial facilities. With over 40 years of experience Bill brings extensive knowledge of all aspects of the construction materials sector.
Education
PhD. Colorado State University
MSc, Construction Management, Colorado State University
BSc, Engineering, Southern Illinois University
Bill has over 40 years of experience as a construction material professional and has been a leader in making these industries greener and more sustainable. He brings to the company his extensive experience with operations, R&D, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and management of public and private companies.
Education
PhD. Colorado State University
MSc, Construction Management, Colorado State University
BSc, Engineering, Southern Illinois University
Bill has over 40 years of experience as a construction material professional and has been a leader in making these industries greener and more sustainable. He brings to the company his extensive experience with operations, R&D, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and management of public and private companies. During the 1990’s Bill was executive director of Redland PLC, a FTSE 100 firm with 4.28B in revenues. He also led their worldwide aggregates group as chairman and CEO. Bill also co-founded a privately held company that performed heavy civil infrastructure projects throughout the western US with 1600 employees.
Education
PhD. Colorado State University
MSc, Construction Management, Colorado State University
BSc, Engineering, Southern Illinois University