Management
CE&P is led by a team of experienced ethanol, power, and agricultural industry executives.
Jeffrey F. Lee, President and Management Committee Member
Jeffrey F. Lee was previously a Senior Development Manager with Bechtel Enterprises, Inc. and the lead counsel for a $1 billion-plus Bechtel Corporation operating division. Mr. Lee is a founder of and the project development advisor to the prospective $340 million Blue Ribbon Cheese Company cheese and whey-derived products project in California's San Joaquin Valley. He was an early advisor to what is now Verenium, a leading cellulosic biomass-to-ethanol company. Mr. Lee holds a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan, and a JD from Michigan Law School.
David R. Rubenstein, Chief Operating Officer and Management Committee Member
David R. Rubenstein was until recently the President and majority owner of Pacific Diazo Products, Inc., which produced and distributed industrial chemicals, primarily ammonia, to more than 400 customers in southern California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Mr. Rubenstein, a recognized expert in chemical distribution, is a former Board member of the National Association of Chemical Distributors in his capacity as President of the Western Region. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Winona State University in Minnesota.
Olan W. Mitchell, Executive Vice President Technologies and Operations and Management Committee Member
Olan W. (Wayne) Mitchell was most recently the Senior Vice President, Technology and Business Development for Fagen, Inc., where he was instrumental in the development, financing and construction of over 50 fuel ethanol plants with 3.5 billion gallons per year aggregate capacity. Mr. Mitchell, who is a registered professional engineer in thirteen states and a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, received his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin.
Lawrence A. Gilbert, Executive Vice President Agricultural Operations
Lawrence A. Gilbert has farmed a wide variety of crops in the Imperial Valley for many years, including field crops such as cotton, sorghum, Bermuda grass, sugarcane, and wheat. Mr. Gilbert is an active member of the Farm Bureau, serving as a two-term county president, and on various committees at the county and state levels, and in recent years has focused much of his attention on water matters, including water conservation and transfer issues. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from California State Polytechnic University.
Howard T. Smith, Chief Financial Officer
Howard T. Smith is also the partner heading up the Tatum LLC Clean Tech Practice. His career includes serving as the Chief Financial Officer of emerging growth companies, as well as investment banking and management consulting. Mr. Smith received his BA in Economics and Government from The College of William and Mary, his Master of Public Administration, Public Finance from George Washington University, where he was a Scottish Rite fellow, and his MBA, Global Executive Program Studies from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Cheryl L. Henry, Chief Development Officer
Cheryl L. Henry has a strong fourteen-year background in acquisition, investment and ecommerce marketing strategy, operations, franchising, legal, finance, technology implementations and C level consulting. She has a track record of improving the financial performance for companies with diverse team cultures while implementing operational best practices. Ms. Henry received her BBA in Business Management & Communication, and MA Organizational Development and Business Management and Finance minor from Concordia University. She has completed certification from George Washington University in eBusiness Project Management.
Camille E. Soriano, Vice President Marketing and Public/Investor Relations
Camille Soriano is a senior marketing professional with over fifteen years of experience in marketing communications, environmental affairs, strategic partnerships and event management. Ms. Soriano was most recently the Vice President, Marketing, Member Programs for the National Association of Chemical Distributors, and prior to that the Director of Communications of the Hotel Association of Washington, D.C. Ms. Soriano received her BBA, Marketing from Marymount University and her MBA, Marketing from The George Washington University.