4 Minutes with…Chad Pastor, Business Development Manager, MBI

Tell us about your company and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.

MBI is a non-profit company committed to accelerating biobased and sustainable technologies to commercialization through its innovative derisking process. In addition to derisking technologies for clients, MBI is working to commercialize three major biobased technologies; the most revolutionary of these being AFEX biomass pretreatment.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

As MBI’s Business Development Manager, my primary focus is on building our corporate services outreach and maintaining our collaborative relationships. Our team of highly experienced experts is driven by providing great client services. We support our clients through the derisking and scale-up of their technologies–from early idea to pilot scale. I spend much of my time working with our clients to provide them with practical solutions. Together, we make sure that our clients’ technologies are shepherded through to commercialization. The rest my time, I am assisting with the AFEX technology’s transition from pilot to commercial scale. This technology has the potential to revolutionize cellulosic biorefinery logistics via the use of low-density energy crops and agricultural residues”kick-starting the second generation bioeconomy by providing a versatile and transportable cellulosic feedstock.

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?  

The industry really needs to keep scoring wins through successful commercialization of technologies that are both competitive from an economic and qualitative standpoint when compared to petrol-based technologies. Seeing widespread adoption of different commercialized technologies, e.g. Coca-Cola and LiquidLight MEG deal, would add more legitimacy.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change?  

Besides our industry having a blockbuster win validating the value companies create with biobased solutions? I’d like to see more collaboration within the industry, so we can enjoy solid wins like those our counterparts in the pharma biotech arena have enjoyed. Strategic partnering can help save time and money while accelerating commercialization.

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you?  

Sustainable, biobased solutions are imperative to solving the challenging issues affecting our generation and those of our children. With population growth to hit 9bn by 2050, how will we answer both basic and advanced needs for everyone’s survival? Sustainable practices, new technologies, and our industry are vital pieces to solving the puzzle.

Where are you from?

I was born in southern Michigan and grew up in Battle Creek–the Cereal Capital of the World. Most of my pre-college and college years were spent in southwest Michigan.

What was your undergraduate major in college, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway?  

I earned my BA in Biology at Kalamazoo College and my MS at Michigan State University. I chose K College because of its diverse programs, study abroad opportunities, and because they provide industry experience near the end of the degree. MSU was a perfect for me: the program offered a good balance between pure research and industry application.

Who do you consider your mentors – could be personal, business, or just people you have read about and admire. What have you learned from them?

I’ve been fortunate to have a few different mentors at key points in my personal life and career: Dr. David Evans (K College, Entomology) was instrumental in guiding part of my undergrad years and nurturing my love of entomology and teaching. Dr. Evans could take any lecture topic and make it come to life. My graduate advisor, Larry Gut, showed me how to balance pure research–practiced within academic circles and institutions–with outreach to both end-users and industry collaborators. He taught me how partnering with growers and niche industry requires a level of honesty–that could often be brutal–when testing new products or methodologies. Great companies typically do not look for a rubber stamp on their technologies–rather, they desire ways to improve their technologies through honest and rigorous feedback, collaboration, and solutions that tackle their challenges so they can successfully compete, commercialize, and grow.

What’s the biggest lesson you ever learned during a period of adversity?

I’m a huge fan of adventure races, and I can tell you that, for me, adversity happens at mile marker 11– when I’m covered in filth and sweat and exhaustion–and I can see ahead of me a series of 10-foot walls. In that moment, all I can think is: this sucks. And then I have to push through it, knowing full well that this is just a test; I have it in me to break through my limits. I know this may be cliche to say, but adversity is a part of life. And just like those 10-foot walls, one simply has to embrace the suck and climb. To be sure: some of the challenges we have to face are harrowing–they happen in business, sports, friendships, marriages, parenting, all across the board. Invariably, some challenges will seem nearly insurmountable; however, those are the opportunities to build great character, strength, and confidence. Ultimately, overcoming life’s odds will make you a better partner, athlete, business person, spouse, parent, and human being.

What hobbies do you pursue, away from your work in the industry?

I have quite a few interests. I’m an avid adventure/mud race fan (e.g. Tough Mudder, Spartan Race). I am also active in archery and competitive pistol sports (USPSA). I enjoy spending time at the archery range with my two children, or tending to our small blueberry farm, or taking a long ride on my Triumph motorcycle.

What are 3 books you’d want to have with you, if you were stranded on a desert island.

‘The Stand,’ ‘Lord of the Rings,’ and ‘The Count of Monte Cristo.’

What books or articles (excluding The Digest) are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?

I’ve just finished ‘With Winning In Mind,’ by Lanny Bassham, which covers mastery of the mind and mental management. The skills and techniques discussed by Lanny are those learned from the his experiences as an Olympic athlete. I’m now reading Kevin Ashton’s ‘How to Fly a Horse: The Secret History of Creation, Invention, and Discovery.’

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?

I’m a bit biased, but for a summer holiday it’s hard to beat Michigan’s lake shore towns and scenery. I’m also a fan of spending time in Petoskey or Traverse City. There’s nothing like crisp, fresh air and the opportunities to bike, hike, boat, zipline, or just relax on the beach with the family.