West Biofuels Woodland Development Center

The West Biofuels team is led 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 chair of 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.

Dr. Matthew Summers leads the technical development and research operations of West Biofuels. Dr. Summers has managed the planning, engineering, and construction of the 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 a 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, 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.

Brandon Bruning manages West Biofuels' first commercial plant in Williams, CA. From planning to constructing, to commissioning, Mr. Bruning has overseen every aspect of the manufacturing process. He also manages the pilot plant operations at the Woodland Biomass Research Center. 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 at the commercial 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.

As Director of Research and Development, Michael Long manages all research activities and coordinates outside collaborations with public and private partners. Mr. Long oversees Research and Development staff, subcontractors, and oversees R&D internships. Mr. Long conducts research of thermochemical processes on multiple pilot scale demonstration reactor systems and catalytic synthesis research at pilot and engineering scales. Mr. Long has continued the groundbreaking research and development of West Biofuel’s conversion of woody biomass into syngas. Mr. Long has his B.S. in Mechanical engineering from University of California, San Diego and is a PhD Candidate in the Biological Systems Engineering Program at the University of California, Davis. Mr. Long specializes in thermochemical and chemical synthesis research.