Adding to a group of key executives that have joined Greenfield in 2017
TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2017 /CNW/ – Greenfield Global, a leading global producer of high-purity alcohols, biofuels and biochemicals, today announced that JF Huc has joined the company in a newly created position as Vice President of Innovation & Business Development. JF joins three other key executives that Greenfield recently added to its management team:
- John Wilkinson as Senior Vice President of Sustainability
- Andrea Kent as Vice President of Government and Public Relations
- Alain Lefebvre as Director of Strategic Planning
“I’m thrilled with the additions we have made to our executive team over the past 12 months, and most recently with JF,” said Greenfield President and CEO Howard Field. “Each of these very talented executives brings deep industry experience and a proven track record in their respective areas of expertise. As important, they share our values and focus on innovation and the environment.”
In his new role, Huc will be responsible for commercializing Greenfield’s advanced biofuel and renewable energy technologies, as well as forming partnerships with technology providers that can benefit from Greenfield’s expansive production platforms, engineering prowess, and R&D proficiency. Before joining Greenfield, Huc was the founder and CEO of BioAmber where he led the successful development, scale-up and commercialization of the world’s first bio-succinic acid plant, raising capital from private institutions, government, and the public markets, and forming strategic partnerships for development, off-take, and feedstock supply. Prior to BioAmber, Huc held executive-level positions at several start-up, pharmaceutical and management consulting companies.
As Senior Vice President of Sustainability, John Wilkinson oversees the integration of sustainability into the company’s strategic direction, expansion, and operations. He ensures that Greenfield’s agenda is strategically aligned with government policy within Canada, the United States and other jurisdictions. Wilkinson is also responsible for supporting the company’s advanced biofuel and renewable energy commercialization efforts by proactively fostering relationships with academia, NGO’s and technology collaborators. He has served on Greenfield’s Board of Directors since 2014 and is an Advisory Board member of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy. Of note, prior to joining Greenfield, Wilkinson was elected as a Member of the Ontario Legislature from 2003 – 2011 and served as Minister of Research & Innovation, Minister of Revenue and Minister of the Environment. As a key member of Cabinet, he was instrumental in ushering in a wave of Ontario clean tech policies & programs.
As Vice President of Government & Public Relations, Andrea Kent promotes Greenfield’s mission and strategic goals through public policy, community outreach, advocacy, media relations, and communications. She is also the company’s lead spokesperson. Prior to joining Greenfield Global, Kent served as the President of Renewable Industries Canada (formerly the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association), the country’s premiere biofuel trade association. She was a highly regarded advocate for increased production and use of renewable fuels in Canada and served as a leader on regulatory and legislative issues for the industry. Before her work with RICanada, Kent served in senior communications roles for various Ministers on Parliament Hill, as well as in federal departments and Crown corporations.
Alain Lefebvre is Greenfield’s Director of Strategic Planning and is responsible for aligning Greenfield’s strategic plan with the Quebec Energy Policy 2030, the development of the Greenfield’s Varennes distillery expansion and integrated bio-refinery plans, and interfacing with US states and jurisdictions to expand Greenfield’s renewable energy commercialization footprint. Lefebvre brings with him more than 35 years of experience in the federal and provincial public service. An expert in energy infrastructure, he has led large, multidisciplinary teams specializing in fulfilling strategic policy, legislative and regulatory mandates, and programs and projects in the upstream and downstream segments of the hydrocarbon and biofuel industries.