Leadership

Todd Becker is President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Green Plains Inc. and Green Plains Partners.

Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRE) is a leading biorefining company focused on the development and utilization of fermentation, agricultural, biological and mechanical technologies in the processing of annually renewable crops into sustainable value-added ingredients and energy products. This includes the production of cleaner low carbon biofuels, renewable feedstocks for advanced biofuels and renewable diesel, and high purity alcohols for use in cleaners, disinfectants and consumer products. Green Plains is an innovative producer of high value Ultra-High Protein and novel ingredients for animal and aquaculture diets to help satisfy a growing global appetite for sustainable proteins. The Company also owns a 48.9% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in Green Plains Partners LP. Since 2007, Mr. Becker has led the company through rapid growth to become one of the largest low carbon biofuel producers in the world, with 1 billion gallons of operating capacity.

Mr. Becker has 35 years of extensive experience in general management, risk management, supply chain management, and operations in numerous commodity processing businesses, along with significant international experience in agricultural and energy markets. He spent ten years with ConAgra Foods in various management positions, including vice president of International Marketing for ConAgra Trade Group and President of ConAgra Grain Canada. Mr. Becker served on the Board of Directors for Hillshire Brands from the time of its formation as an independent company in 2012 to its $8.5 billion sale to Tyson Foods in August 2014 and played an instrumental role as a board member in that transaction. He also served on the audit and compensation committee.

At Green Plains over the last 15 years, Todd has used his management, finance and innovation skills to improve business performance across a diverse range of categories and verticals, with a focus on innovation and disciplined execution. After executing on a full portfolio optimization plan followed by an operational improvement and cost reduction program, he has embarked the company on a Total Transformation Plan as he moves them away from commodity processing and focuses on innovation of high quality, high margin renewable and sustainable products and feedstocks with recurring and predictable high-quality earnings streams.

Mr. Becker earned a Master’s degree in Finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Kansas.

Jim Stark was appointed to Chief Financial Officer in October of 2022 after serving as Executive Vice President since rejoining Green Plains in January 2022. Prior to rejoining Green Plains, Mr. Stark served as Vice President, Investor Relations at Darling Ingredients Inc. based in Irving, Texas, from December 2019 until January 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Stark led Investor and Public Relations at Green Plains for over 10 years, where he was involved in numerous strategic initiatives that spanned the organization.

Mr. Stark has over 30 years of senior management experience in corporate communications, finance and logistical management. Mr. Stark has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Texas.

Jamie Herbert joined Green Plains as Chief Human Resources Officer in October 2022, responsible for developing cross-functional leadership, talent management, and organizational development. He will lead the company’s culture transformation to Green Plains 2.0. Prior to joining Green Plains, Mr. Herbert served as Vice President of Finance and Operations for Capstone IT from 2018 to 2022. In that time, he also served as an advisor to health care entities on strategy, growth, organizational agility and accountability structures. From 2007 to 2018, Mr. Herbert held various HR leadership roles at Union Pacific Railroad, including Assistant Vice President – HR Training and Development, Assistant Vice President - Human Resources and Assistant Vice President – Operations.

Mr. Herbert holds a BSBA in Marketing and HR Management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a Master of Science in Negotiations and Dispute Resolution from Creighton University School of Law and an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is an alum of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Leadership Omaha Program and completed executive education course work at the University of Chicago, University of North Carolina, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School.

Paul Kolomaya has served as Chief Accounting Officer since May 2019. Mr. Kolomaya previously served as Executive Vice President – Commodity Finance from February 2012 to May 2019. Prior to joining Green Plains in August 2008 as Vice President – Commodity Finance, Mr. Kolomaya was employed by ConAgra Foods, Inc. from March 1997 to August 2008 in a variety of senior finance and accounting capacities, both domestic and international. Prior to that, he was employed by Arthur Andersen & Co. in both the audit and business consulting practices. Mr. Kolomaya holds chartered accountant and certified public accountant certifications and has a Bachelor of Honors Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba.

Michelle Mapes assumed the role of Chief Legal and Administration officer in January of 2018, responsible for all legal affairs, compliance and regulatory matters, board liaison and corporate secretary duties, insurance, government relations, organizational development and strategic compensation initiatives. Ms. Mapes served as Executive Vice President – General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from November 2009 to January of 2018. Prior to joining Green Plains in September 2009 as General Counsel, Ms. Mapes was a Partner at Husch Blackwell LLP, where for three years she focused her legal practice nearly exclusively in renewable energy. Prior to that, she was Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel for HDM Corporation. Ms. Mapes served as Senior Vice President – Corporate Services and General Counsel for Farm Credit Services of America from April 2000 to June 2005. Ms. Mapes holds a Juris Doctorate, a master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance, all from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Negil McPherson Jr. was appointed to Chief Learning Officer in October of 2022, after serving as Chief People Officer since June of 2021.

Mr. McPherson has more than 28 years of valuable experience in organizational HR. From 1999 to 2021, he was a leader on the Learning & Organizational Development and Project Management Office teams at HDR. There, he polished his skills in human resources, performance management, leadership and organizational development, change management, team development, problem-solving analysis, and diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. He also served as a professional consultant to clients. Prior to HDR, Mr. McPherson was an educator and administrator with Omaha Public Schools from 1992 to 1999.

Mr. McPherson holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and an M.B.A., both from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Patrich Simpkins was appointed to Chief Transformation Officer in October of 2022. Before that, he had served as Chief Financial Officer since May 2019. Mr. Simpkins previously served as Chief Development Officer from October 2014 until May 2019, also previously serving as Chief Risk Officer from October 2014 through August 2016. Prior to joining Green Plains in May 2012 as Executive Vice President – Finance and Treasurer, Mr. Simpkins was Managing Partner of GPS Capital Partners, LLC, a capital advisory firm serving global energy and commodity clients. From February 2005 to June 2008, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of SensorLogic, Inc., and as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Risk Officer of TXU Corporation from November 2001 to June 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Simpkins served in senior financial and commercial executive roles with Duke Energy Corporation, Louis Dreyfus Energy, MEAG Power Company and MCI Communications. Mr. Simpkins has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Economics and Marketing from the University of Kentucky.

Phil Boggs became Executive Vice President, Investor Relations in August 2021. Mr. Boggs previously served as Treasurer from October 2014 until August 2021, while holding the roles of Senior Vice President, Investor Relations (November 2019 to August 2021) and Vice President, Finance (October 2014 to November 2019). Mr. Boggs has held various finance and treasury roles since he joined Green Plains in March 2009.

Prior to Green Plains, Mr. Boggs served as Manager of Financial Analysis, then Controller, Diversified Manufacturing at Lindsay Corporation. He also held roles in financial analysis at ONEOK Partners. Mr. Boggs has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and Management from Cedarville University.

Grant Kadavy joined Green Plains as Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations in October 2022. He will lead all commercial activities, including sales, trading and distribution, across all platforms. Prior to joining Green Plains, Mr. Kadavy held executive positions at Darigold, including Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Growth and Risk Officer between 2016 and 2022. From 1997 to 2016, Mr. Kadavy served in various roles at Cargill, including President of Cargill Americas and General Director, Mexico.

Mr. Kadavy holds a BA in Economics and Communications from St. Olaf College.

Chris Osowski joined Green Plains as Executive Vice President, Operations & Technology, in January of 2022. In this role, Mr. Osowski will help build and maintain a talented and motivated team focused on safety, environmental and operational performance.

Prior to joining Green Plains, Mr. Osowski was Vice President, Global Technology, with ADM, where he led the development of five-year strategic capital plans focused on organic and inorganic growth initiatives, cost improvement projects, sustainability objectives, and overall equipment effectiveness. He led the coordination of technology centers of excellence across ADM’s organization globally. In addition, Mr. Osowski previously held international assignments in Europe and Asia.

His operational expertise has been crafted over his 20-year career with ADM, POET, Renewable Energy Group and Tate & Lyle. This includes roles in general management, operations, engineering, supply chain management and procurement.

Leslie van der Meulen became the Company’s Executive Vice President of Product Marketing and Innovation in May 2021. Additionally, Mr. van der Meulen is responsible for Green Plains’ wholly owned subsidiary Optimal Aquafeed. Mr. van der Meulen has 20+ years of experience in the global marketing and sales of value-added products, focused on both human and animal nutrition. Prior to becoming EVP Product Marketing & Innovation, Mr. van der Meulen held various roles within Green Plains since 2013 focusing on innovative ingredient solutions for aquaculture. Mr. van der Meulen started his career in his home country of the Netherlands before moving to the U.S. in 2005.