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SKS Team

Experienced. Motivated.
Capable.

SKS is driven by leadership with decades of experience in oil and gas, agriculture, environmental services, logistics, development, finance, and investing.

This core team with extensive knowledge of dairy, livestock, agriculture, and industrial food waste is positioned to deliver results while balancing the goals of all project stakeholders.

Scott Stepenoff

President

Scott leads our overall efforts to source and develop projects, working closely with our strategic partners throughout each project’s lifecycle. He has developed multiple anaerobic digestion facilities and is well versed in all aspects of project development.

Scott is a planner and a big picture thinker who gets to know your situation intimately to best determine the efficacy and potential of a biogas project. His solutions often go beyond RNG outputs, creating other opportunities to monetize the full value of the system’s outputs. Scott’s extensive track record of developing successful waste-to-energy facilities is in his blood, having worked side-by-side with his father for over two decades in the energy, environmental, and agricultural industries.

Dana Kirk, Ph.D., P.E.

Chief Executive Officer

As a highly respected authority in manure management, carbon intensity evaluations, and anaerobic digestion technology, Dana works to optimize the performance of each SKS facility. Prior to joining SKS, Dana was instrumental in establishing the Anaerobic Digester Research Center at Michigan State University and led the engineering effort to build and operate the school’s South Campus Anaerobic Digester. Dana is also a sought after consultant for anaerobic digestion projects around the globe, mentoring many who are making their mark in the waste-to-energy marketplace.

Dana’s agricultural foundation allows him to holistically consider how SKS facilities integrate with all aspects of the dairy’s operational program, from bedding and nutrients to permitting and growth potential. The result is a comprehensive project design that optimizes operational efficiency and profitability.

Jesse Neilson, M.S., P.E.

Chief of Engineering & Construction

Jesse is responsible for carrying each SKS facility through the design, permitting, and construction processes. Previously, he founded, owned, and operated the largest industrial wastewater engineering firm in the Western U.S. specializing in high strength wastewater and anaerobic digestion.

As an experienced engineer and project manager, Jesse has a 360 degree perspective on every project. His extensive portfolio of anaerobic digester to RNG projects have included some of the largest and most complex facilities in the U.S. Whether he’s designing a 28 million gallon, multi-staged low-rate anaerobic digester or optimizing the use of separators and pumps, Jesse engineers for performance.

Nathan Kennedy

Chief Operating Officer

Nathan leads SKS’s finance and investment activities and has overall responsibility for company operations. His extensive background in advising capital providers, project developers, investors, and asset managers in the renewable energy, real estate, and community development finance sectors have uniquely positioned him for SKS and its partners.

Nathan maintains relationships with capital providers and keeps a pulse on federal and state incentive programs, providing insight for determining each project’s preferred financing strategy. From structuring transactions and raising capital to determining the optimal strategy for monetizing environmental attributes, Nathan works to ensure SKS projects deliver attractive returns to project owners and partners.

Maria Barrios Arosemena, M.S.

Vice President of Engineering

Maria brings technical expertise to the SKS team and is responsible for coordinating engineering activities, overseeing construction, and developing operations and maintenance strategies. She holds a masters degree in biosystems engineering from Michigan State University where she concentrated in anaerobic digestion and alternative energy.

Leveraging her academic background and experience working with project development firms, Maria develops strategies for building and operating successful anaerobic digestion-to-RNG facilities throughout their full project lifecycle. By design, her role overlaps both the construction and operations phases of the project. This way she is able to ensure the operations team has complete knowledge of every aspect of the project while projects are built with operational efficiency in mind.

Sergio Zepeda

Vice President of Operations

Sergio has extensive experience with all aspects of large RNG production facilities. Prior to joining SKS, Sergio played a critical role in the development, construction, commissioning, and operations of one of the nation’s largest methane digester projects. He has worked with companies ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies, equipping Sergio with the ability to navigate varying challenges companies face to bring their products to fruition.

With a diverse background in multiple disciplines, Sergio is a true utility player who brings a can-do attitude to the SKS team. Building and managing operations teams is foundational for Sergio, and his hands-on approach to problem solving makes him invaluable to ensuring SKS projects are successful.

Noah Carlson

Project Engineer

Noah is a biogas and RNG engineer with a proven track record in project development and execution. He holds a degree in biosystems engineering (bioenergy) from Michigan State University and his experience spans research and commercial applications. In his prior role as a senior application engineer for a leading biogas industry equipment vendor, Noah spearheaded the entire project development lifecycle. This included conducting feasibility studies, navigating proposal development and client negotiations, and overseeing project execution.

Noah’s technical expertise in anaerobic digestion processes and biogas systems complements his capabilities in building strong client relationships within the agricultural and industrial sectors. Fueled by his passion for renewable energy solutions, Noah brings a valuable blend of technical knowledge, project management expertise, and client-centricity to every biogas and RNG project.

Kevin Kirk

Director of Construction

Kevin is a highly experienced and results-driven leader with a strong background in construction and risk management. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has successfully managed construction projects in diverse industries ranging from consumer goods manufacturing, food & beverage production, technology, alternative energy, and commercial real estate.

Working with both small and large clients throughout the United States, Kevin has earned a strong reputation for his expertise in construction and safety. He holds the esteemed Certified Safety Professional certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring safe work environments.

As a team leader responsible for overseeing construction management and project delivery at SKS, Kevin plays a vital role in ensuring the efficient execution of projects and the successful attainment of stakeholder goals. He provides effective team leadership and coaching to maximize productivity and streamline operations while creating a positive and cooperative work environment. With a strong attention to detail and a goal-oriented mindset, Kevin is a valuable asset for any construction team.

Matt Angers

Construction Manager

Acting as the go-between with project owners and delivery partners, Matt is responsible for ensuring SKS projects come in on time and on budget. With over 20 years of experience in project management, partner relations, and business development, Matt’s unique perspective keeps him focused on getting the job done and delivering results.

Throughout his career, Matt has always been both a top individual performer and a successful team player. As a recovering Fortune 100 power player, he has translated his nationally recognized account management skillset into a dirty fingernails role at SKS that involves coordinating the construction, installation, and commissioning of manure management, anaerobic digestion, and gas conditioning equipment.

Jeff Van Stratton

Construction Manager

Jeff collaborates with project owners and delivery partners to ensure SKS projects come in on time and on budget. As a key member of the construction management team, Jeff provides boots-on-the-ground oversight of RNG facility construction activities. He also works directly with vendors to coordinate the procurement, delivery, installation, and commissioning of manure management, digester, and gas conditioning equipment.

Having worked in construction roles for over 10 years and spending over 15 years in manufacturing, partner relations, and product development, Jeff brings unique experience and insights to the construction management team at SKS. His diverse career background gives him a valuable skill set that translates to successful results for project stakeholders.

Paul Petrella

Construction Manager

Paul plays a crucial role in ensuring the successful execution of SKS projects by integrating his mechanical engineering expertise with his broad project management experience. As a dual-role professional, Paul oversees the construction of RNG facilities with a sharp focus on maintaining operational standards and engineering excellence. His leadership on-site ensures that projects are completed efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.

With over a decade of experience in managing complex projects, combined with the discipline and strategic skills gained from his military service, Paul brings a unique perspective to the SKS team. His commitment to innovation and quality drives the successful delivery of projects that meet the high standards of SKS and its stakeholders.

Garrett Schafer

Construction Manager

Garrett provides boots-on-the-ground oversight during the RNG facility’s construction phase, collaborating with project owners and delivery partners to ensure SKS projects are built on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards. He also works directly with vendors to manage the procurement, installation, and commissioning of essential equipment, ensuring all systems function optimally from the start.

With over a decade of experience in natural gas pipelines, project management, and engineering, Garrett brings a diverse range of knowledge and skills to the construction management team at SKS that enables him to seamlessly bridges the gap between design and execution.

Joe Tesar, M.S.E.E., B.S.M.E

Consulting Engineer

For the past decade, Joe has worked to improve the design and operation of anaerobic digester systems, dealing with problems ranging from feedstock optimization to thermal management. As an experienced, multi-craft engineer, Joe can deliver technical solutions to solve the diverse mechanical, electrical, and analytical problems that inevitably arise during project development.

Joe supports the SKS team during the entire development process. This includes the initial development of carbon intensity models for each RNG project, followed by validation that the facility design will meet the requirements set forth by the purchasers of renewable fuels. During construction, Joe provides engineering support to the SKS team, working with subcontractors and vendors to meet budget and schedule goals.