Leadership

S2G BioChem is led by a talented management team committed to the production of renewably sourced biochemicals. The team is supported by strategic partners with world-class expertise in hydrotreating, separations, hydrogen production, engineering, procurement and construction which allow S2GBioChem to offer cost-effective, compact and reliable production plants.

S2GBioChem’s management team comprises the following executives:

Mark Kirby – President and CEO

Mark is a Business Development Professional with a strong leadership, engineering, operations and product development background. He has attained success with both major multinational corporations and with technology start-up companies.

Mark joined Ballard Power Systems in 2007 as Director, Corporate Development, then assumed responsibility for the Cogeneration Market Segment, a growth business unit. From 1999 to 2007, he was VP, Business Development for QuestAir Technologies, a technology startup in the Clean Energy sector in Vancouver. Prior to that, he spent 17 years with Praxair, a major multinational industrial gases company where he held positions of increasing responsibility in product development, marketing and operations, culminating as Director, Operations and Logistics for several key business units.

Terry Brix – Chief Technology Officer

Terry holds a BS Chemical Engineering (Montana State University1967); MS Chemical Engineering (University of Washington 1974) and an MBA (University of Washington, 1976).

Terry brings extensive experience in start-ups and technology development and commercialization. After working with Battelle Memorial Institute for thirteen years, he started the first of his 18 technology based companies in 1980. He has served as president, director, and chairman of:

  • International Polyol Chemicals, Inc, (IPCI) (35 patents, $25 million of development monies, $250 million in capital with two commercial plants in China for converting glucose sugar to industrial glycols)
  • Brix-Berg (300 patents in the field of organic chemical separations. Brix-Berg accounts for about 35% of all the US patents in the field of extractive and azeotropic distillation)
  • Iochem (an Oklahoma company, they are the leading producer of elemental iodine in the US),
  • Brine Electric, (an Oklahoma company, engaged in developing brine as a low level geothermal source and value-added uses for iodine containing brines.)

Terry also co-founded Cyanotech (one of the first publicly traded microalgae companies (spirulina) in 1984.

Veronica Dolenc – Manager, Finance

Veronica has over 25 years of experience working in public practice, as a consultant with utilities, manufacturing and forestry companies, and with not-for-profit organizations. She has held the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Controller for several organizations in need of her expertise. She has also led the financial analysis for major capital projects and operations initiatives both in Canada and abroad. She is adept at developing decision making tools for complex, technical environments, and skilled at effectively communicating issues verbally or in writing for clients, staff and stakeholders. 

Professor W.M. Bill McKean – Principal Scientist

Dr. McKean serves as chief scientist for S2G Biochem, leading process research and development in hydrotreating and separations. Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Environmental and Forest Science, he is an expert in paper and wood chemistry, pulping technologies and biomaterials.  His research has focused on conversion of biomass to biofibers, biomass derived chemical products and bioenergy. The author of numerous publications and patents, Dr. McKean has worked and consulted for leading corporations such as Battelle, Weyerhaeuser, DuPont and Boeing.  He is a co-founder of straw-pulping technology company Phoenix Pulp.

Claudio Arato – Manager, Process Engineering

Claudio is a cleantech process development professional engineer, chemist and collaborator with 20 years of experience in the invention, development and commercialization of clean technologies. These include: cellulosic ethanol, water treatment, heavy oil upgrading, chlorinated organics (PCBs) soil remediation, novel process design and scale-up, patent/intellectual property development and patent protection, processing/optimization, HAZOPs throughout North America as well as Europe and Mexico. He has worked for leading cleantech companies Lignol Innovations, Millar Western and Sonoro.  Claudio is a recipient of the prestigious 2010 Lambert President's Award from the Association of Professional Engineers of BC (APEGBC). As well, he is a 2011 Engineers Canada Fellow and has collaborated on many technical and peer-reviewed journal papers.