2026 Value of Biogas East Conference Speakers

Amir Akbari - CEO (Anessa)

Biography: Amir Akbari, P.Eng., is a visionary leader in the biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG) industry with over 15 years of experience in mechanical engineering and power generation. As CEO of Anessa, Amir has successfully steered the company from R&D to commercialization since 2017, establishing it as a global leader in biogas solutions. Amir’s innovative integration of AI and digital tools has positioned Anessa as a market leader locally and in regions like France and the UK, enabling biogas projects to reduce risks and operate efficiently.

Daniel Bida - Director of Biogas and Sustainability (Canada Packers Inc.)

Biography: Daniel is the Director of Biogas and Sustainability for Canada Packers Inc., the former pork production arm of Maple Leaf Foods, where he is leading the development of multiple hub-and-spoke biogas plants to co-digest hog manure with other available livestock manure and food waste. Previous to this, Daniel founded and led the development of the ZooShare Biogas plant at the Toronto Zoo, where he continues to sit on the board of directors for the co-operative. Daniel is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a B.Comm from McMaster University.

Chris Breen - Vice President, (Walker Industries)

Biography: Walker Industries is a family business founded in Niagara 140 years ago and a leading producer of renewable natural gas, waste management services, aggregates, road construction and emulsions. At Walker, Chris leads Indigenous, government and community relations efforts.

Prior to joining Walker, Chris held similar positions, largely in the energy industry. Prior to his corporate involvement, Chris worked in government and public relations, including several years as an advisor to a federal cabinet Minister and an Ontario Premier.

Tom Ferencevis - Owner & CEO (Fitec)

Biography: Tom began his career in agriculture, working at OMAFRA, OFVGA and OGVG. He was introduced to biogas while on an ag-sector trade mission, and, by 2007, had initiated a partnership with a biogas company in Europe and the founding of a biogas company in Canada. He immersed himself in as many hands-on experiences as possible, including waste auditing, construction, commissioning, operations, plant design and engineering, which, 19 years later, make him one of the most experienced people in the biogas industry in North America. Tom has designed over 12 biogas plants across Canada, building and commissioning 6. Tom is presently the owner and CEO of Fitec, a Canadian family-run business that is rapidly expanding across North America with a project completed in Mexico in 2023 and designs completed for US facilities. Tom’s hard work and commitment to providing reliable systems and building lasting relationships have fostered credibility in the industry and provided real contributions to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved resource utilization, reducing climate change impacts.

Julie Flynn CEO (Waga Energy Canada)

Biography: Originally from Québec City, Julie studied chemical engineering at Université Laval and earned a master’s degree from McGill University. She spent more than 12 years in France and one year in Guadalajara, Mexico. From 2006 to 2021, she developed leading expertise in biogas and hydrogen engineering at Air Liquide, working on projects in Europe, North America, and Asia. She has long been convinced of the importance of renewable gases in the energy transition.

Actively promoting the role of women in engineering, Julie Flynn joined Waga Energy Canada in 2021 as CEO of the Canadian subsidiary. When she arrived, the subsidiary had 3 employees; it now has more than 30. In 2023 and 2024, Julie played a key role in the launch of three renewable natural gas production units in Québec. The first and largest site, located in Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, helped create an ecosystem in the Mauricie region in partnership with several local stakeholders, thereby supporting the company’s growth.

Vincent Gagnon - Head, Strategy and Development, RNC (Énergir)

Biography: A seasoned professional in strategic communications, Vincent joined Énergir in 2025 as Head, Strategy and Development, RNG. He leads a team responsible for consolidating and mobilizing the renewable natural gas sector in Quebec. He coordinates various initiatives and participates in several forums and other high visibility events, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Vincent has over a decade of experience in journalism, public relations and public affairs. Over the years, he has developed a deep understanding of the social dynamics and policy frameworks that shape decision-making.

Before joining Énergir, he spent nearly eight years at NATIONAL Public Relations, Canada’s leading public relations firm. He has had the opportunity to contribute to sensitive mandates involving strategic communications, social acceptability and public participation, including in the oil and gas industry. Certified in public participation by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), he frequently acted as a facilitator and moderator in public consultations, focus groups and other complex mandates involving municipalities, ministries and private-sector clients.

He sits on the boards of directors of organizations in the economic development and sustainable development sectors. He also served three terms on the board of directors of a chamber of commerce, as well as a sports federation in Quebec.

Suzanne Hunt - Vice President of Policy (Generate Upcycle)

Biography: Suzanne Hunt brings more than two decades of experience addressing complex challenges across the energy, agriculture, transportation, waste, and environmental sectors. She joined Generate Capital in 2021 as Policy Director. In 2023, she joined Generate Upcycle as Vice President of Policy. In addition to her leadership role at Upcycle, Suzanne is a co-owner of her family’s seventh-generation farm in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Among her many accomplishments, Suzanne directed the Worldwatch Institute’s bioenergy program and created the landmark book Biofuels for Transportation: Global Potential and Implications for Energy and Agriculture. She sits on various Boards and has advised global corporations, start-ups, governments, and non-profits. She holds degrees from Penn State, American University, and the United Nation’s University for Peace.

Kimberley Jones - Project Manager (Convertus Group)

Biography: Kimberley Jones is a Project Manager at Convertus Group with extensive experience in the design and construction of complex Design-Build-Operate (DBO) projects. Over the course of her career, she has been instrumental in delivering over $1.5 billion in infrastructure projects across various public sectors.

With over a decade of experience focused exclusively on the organic waste sector, Kimberley’s portfolio includes the successful delivery of the Surrey Biofuel Project, as well as managing critical process upgrades and expansions across the Convertus facility network. She is currently spearheading the development of the Convertus York Biofuel Facility, continuing her track record of delivering sustainable, high-impact waste-to-energy solutions.

Shane Lee - RNG/Biogas Program Manager (Alliance Technical Group)

Biography: Shane Lee began his career in stack emissions testing in 1998, supporting complex Trial Burn and Risk Assessment testing programs established by the U.S. EPA to validate performance standards for hazardous waste combustion units. Through this work, he developed extensive experience in regulatory-driven performance testing, emissions characterization, and compliance demonstration under federal hazardous waste requirements.

He later supported the Department of Defense’s Chemical Stockpile Elimination Program (CSEP), contributing to highly regulated testing and monitoring efforts associated with chemical weapons destruction facilities.

In early 2024, Shane transitioned to Alliance’s Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and biogas sector during a period of rapid program expansion. He now serves as Program Manager of Alliance’s RNG/Biogas Program, overseeing technical execution, regulatory compliance strategy, and performance testing services for RNG production, upgrading, and related air compliance projects.

Tom McLenaghan - Manager of Waste Management Infrastructure (Peel Region)

Biography: Tom is the Manager of the Infrastructure section of the Waste Management Division at Peel Region, responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of new waste management infrastructure, maintaining the state of good repair the Waste Management Division’s existing assets and long-term monitoring and maintenance of Peel’s closed landfill sites.

Tom has more than 23 years of waste management experience in the municipal sector providing guidance on a variety of portfolios, including anaerobic digestion, energy from waste, emerging waste processing technologies and waste collection design standards. Tom has led various waste management capital projects including the Peel Energy Recovery Centre and Peel Renewable Natural Gas Centre.

Tom holds a B.A.Sc. in Environmental Engineering – Chemical Specialization from the University of Waterloo.

Brandon Moffat - Chief Development Officer (StormFisher)

Biography: Brandon Moffatt is the Chief Development Officer at StormFisher. He is a industry thought leader with extensive technical and development experience in the environmental, waste and renewable energy sectors. He has experience developing regulatory and industry policy in waste diversion and renewable energy. He has led the development, design and construction of several complex organics processing and anaerobic digestion sites across North America and has a detailed understanding of the commercial and operational aspects of power to hydrogen and power to gas projects.
Brandon is a board member of the Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA), has an MBA from the Odette School of Business and holds a B.A.Sc. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Thomas Sand Nielsen - Advisor (Consulate General of Denmark in Houston)

Biography: Thomas Sand Nielsen is an Advisor at the Consulate General of Denmark in Houston, where he helps Danish companies enter and expand in North America. In his role, he advises small and medium-sized companies in the biogas/RNG industry on their go-to-market strategies as well as supports larger companies with business development. The core of Thomas’ work focuses on positioning Danish biogas companies and helping them build networks across North America, both through the “Danish Biogas Alliance” and the Trade Council’s Waste, Recycling & Biogas Advisory more broadly. Previously, he worked at the Washington International Trade Association and the IMF in Washington, DC. He holds a Master’s degree in International Trade and Investment Policy from George Washington University.

Sam Oosterhoff - Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, MPP for Niagara West

Biography: Sam Oosterhoff has been the Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West since 2016. Since 2018, he has served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education, the Minister of Red Tape Reduction, and then the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. In these portfolios, he took leadership on files including anti-sex trafficking in schools, French-language education, rural economic development, and reducing regulatory burdens for businesses.

Sam was appointed Ontario's Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries in June 2024 and again in March 2025. Since then, he has been actively meeting with stakeholders across the province to gather insights on securing Ontario’s energy future. Working closely with Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce, he focuses on leveraging the province’s resources, talent, and clean energy advantage to secure reliable, affordable, and clean energy that drives Ontario’s economy, supports manufacturing, and powers good jobs and growth across the province.

Sam lives in his riding of Niagara West with his wife, Keri, and their children, Sullivan and Florence.

Andres Pelayo - Sales Manager (Ammongas)

Biography: Andres Pelayo is Sales Manager at Ammongas for the Americas region, focusing on US, Canada, and Brazil. He works on the development of renewable natural gas (RNG) projects, specializing in biogas upgrading, CO₂ capture, and optimizing project economics through amine-based upgrading systems and CO₂ liquefaction solutions. Prior to the biogas sector, Andres worked in green hydrogen manufacturing equipment and corrosion-protection technologies for the oil and gas industry.

Rolfe Philip - President (Thoeni North America Inc.)

Biography: Rolfe Philip is currently the President of Thoeni North America Inc. currently located in Vancouver, Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thoeni Sustainable Solutions Gmbh, headquartered in Austria and a leading global supplier of high solid plug flow and CSTR AD systems.

Rolfe, co-founder of several biogas solution start-ups has been involved in all aspects of the biogas industry in North America for the past 15 years. Rolfe is a past board member of the American Biogas Council.

Dean Rudd - Industry Manager, Water & Wastewater (Endress+Hauser Canada)

Biography: Dean Rudd is the national Industry Manager for Water /Wastewater and Mining/Metals for Endress+Hauser Canada for the past 15 years. Dean training as an instrumentation technologist and has been working in different instrumentation roles for more than 40 years. At E+H, biogas is a growing part of the Water/Wastewater industry portfolio. Mr. Rudd is chair of the Wastewater Technology committee of WEAO and a program advisor for the Instrumentation program of Northern College.

In his off time, Dean likes to camp and teach downhill skiing. He is family man with the million-dollar family, wife, son and daughter and the obligatory Labradoodle.

Brandon Vlaar - Co-founder and CEO (Mangrove Systems)

Biography: Brandon Vlaar is the Co-founder and CEO of Mangrove Systems, an MRV software provider for the carbon removal and biogas projects - helping producers originate volumes under CFR, RFS, LCFS, ISCC and voluntary markets. Before Mangrove Systems, Brandon was the CTO of Loop Financial, a financial firm that financed solar projects across Canada.