The West Biofuels team is lead by successful financier, Peter T. Paul, who brings his experience and success in the financial world to the problem of renewable energy development. In addition to being the CEO of West Biofuels, Mr. Paul is president of Headlands Asset Management, LLC, a financial company founded in 2007 in San Rafael, California and owner of Peter Paul Wines based in Healdsburg, California. Mr. Paul is also chairs The Headlands Foundation, a nonprofit organization he founded in 1995 that focuses on supporting local organizations and worthwhile causes that make life better for children and their families.

Prior to the formation of Headlands Asset Management, Paul was president of Headlands Mortgage Company, a premier wholesale lending institution in the country, specializing in originating, selling, securitizing and servicing residential mortgage loan products. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Boston University. Mr. Paul currently serves on the Board of Directors of the UNH Foundation and is a trustee of Boston University.

The financial operations of West Biofuels are managed by Kristen Decker, brining her many years of experience in business and real estate financing. Ms. Decker has managed financial business for Headlands Asset Management and Headlands Mortgage Company in San Rafael, CA. She is a CPA and a registered real estate mortgage broker.

The technical development and research operations of West Biofuels are lead by biomass energy expert, Dr. Matthew Summers. Dr. Summers has managed the planning, engineering, and construction of Woodland Biomass Research Center. He supervises numerous staff and contractors and all aspects of technology development of the West Biofuels advanced reforming system. Dr. Summers has many years of experience as a technical consultant on the engineering, economic and environmental performance of biomass-to-energy technologies.

Dr. Summers has earned the Ph. D. in Biological Systems Engineering from University of California, Davis and holds a M. S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. He is a recognized expert in energy conversion and holds several patents and has authored numerous reports on the subject of biomass-to-energy development, biomass and synthesis gas conversion technologies, emissions controls, and engineering design.

The pilot plant operations at the Woodland Biomass Research Center are managed by Brandon Bruning. Mr. Bruning brings to West Biofuels many years of experience in design, fabrication, and operations of industrial equipment. He is responsible for the fabrication of all major equipment developed for the West Biofuels pilot facilities. His duties include management of staff working in the pilot plant and contractors used in the development process.

Mr. Bruning has formal training in manufacturing engineering and holds a professional welding certification. He formerly developed equipment for the log home manufacturing industry in Idaho.