Expert Biogas Operations Team | Taurus Biogas Leadership

Comprehensive Biogas Operations

Taurus Biogas provides best-in-class operations and maintenance (O&M) services for biogas production facilities that convert organic waste to renewable natural gas (RNG).

Our seasoned operators and engineers deliver seamless operations, reduced costs, and increased output, all while upholding the highest standards of safety and risk management. Our resource-conscious approach is designed to maximize the value of waste while leveraging technology and promoting environmental stewardship.

Our Capabilities

Meet Our

Leaders

Our leadership team comprises experienced and driven engineers, operators, mechanics, supervisors, and administrators with a proven track record in the biogas industry.

This strong technical team has extensive know-how in designing, developing, building, and operating numerous RNG facilities.

Scott
Stepenoff

President

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Dana Kirk,
Ph.D., P.E.

Chief Executive Officer

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Jesse Neilson,
M.S., P.E.

Chief of Engineering

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Nathan
Kennedy

Chief Operating Officer

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Maria Barrios
Arosemena, M.S.

VP of Compliance

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Sergio
Zepeda

VP of Operations

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Paul
Harrah

Michigan Plant Manager

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Pedro
Torres

Idaho Plant Manager

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Shaundiin
Whalawitsa

HSSE Manager

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Anahita
Miller

Finance & HR Manager

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Jennifer
Keyes

Procurement Specialist

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Jack
Rutledge

I&C Technician

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Chris
Cottle

Assistant Plant Manager

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Joe Tesar,
M.S.E.E., B.S.M.E

Consulting Engineer

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Gary
Neun

Startup & Commissioning Consultant

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Scott Stepenoff

President

Scott provides overall leadership for the Taurus Biogas team. He has developed and operated multiple anaerobic digestion facilities and is well versed in all aspects of biogas facility operations and maintenance activities. Scott has spent over two decades in the energy, environmental, and agricultural industries and an extensive track record of owning and operating successful waste-to-energy facilities. Scott also holds multiple patents.

Dana Kirk, Ph.D., P.E.

Chief Executive Officer

As a highly respected authority in manure management and anaerobic digestion technology, Dana works to optimize the performance of each Taurus Biogas facility. Dana’s agricultural foundation allows him to holistically consider how Taurus Biogas facilities integrate with all aspects of the dairy’s operational program, from bedding and nutrients to permitting and growth potential. Prior to joining Taurus Biogas, Dana was instrumental in establishing the Anaerobic Digester Research Center at Michigan State University and led the engineering effort to build and operate the school’s South Campus Anaerobic Digester.

Jesse Neilson, M.S., P.E.

Chief of Engineering

Jesse is responsible for carrying each facility through the design, permitting, and construction processes. Previously, he founded, owned, and operated the largest industrial wastewater engineering firm in the Western U.S. specializing in high strength wastewater and anaerobic digestion. As an experienced engineer and project manager, Jesse has a 360 degree perspective on every project. His extensive portfolio of anaerobic digester to RNG projects have included some of the largest and most complex facilities in the U.S. Whether he’s designing a 28 million gallon, multi-staged low-rate anaerobic digester or optimizing the use of separators and pumps, Jesse engineers for performance.

Nathan Kennedy

Chief Operating Officer

Nathan has overall responsibility for Taurus Biogas’ company operations, including human resources, finance, and accounting. He maintains relationships with project owners and oversees all budgeting and financial reporting activities for the company. From developing capital spending plans to helping project owners identify the optimal strategy for monetizing environmental attributes, Nathan works to ensure Taurus Biogas projects deliver attractive returns to project owners and partners.

Maria Barrios Arosemena, M.S.

VP of Compliance

Maria brings technical expertise to the Taurus Biogas team, coordinating engineering activities and developing operations and maintenance strategies. With a Master’s in Biosystems Engineering, she leverages her academic background and project development experience to create operational strategies for successful anaerobic digestion-to-RNG facilities across their lifecycle. Her role strategically bridges construction and operations, ensuring operational efficiency is integrated from the outset and the operations team has comprehensive project knowledge.

Sergio Zepeda

VP of Operations

Sergio has extensive experience with all aspects of large RNG production facilities. Prior to joining Taurus Biogas, Sergio played a critical role in the development, construction, commissioning, and operations of one of the nation’s largest methane digester projects. He has worked with companies ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies, equipping Sergio with the ability to navigate varying challenges. With a diverse background in multiple disciplines, Sergio is a true utility player who brings a can-do attitude to the Taurus Biogas team. Building and managing operations teams and his hands-on approach to problem-solving are invaluable to ensuring Taurus Biogas projects are successful.

Paul Harrah

Michigan Plant Manager

Paul has served as the plant manager for two manure-to-RNG facilities and has been the operational liaison during facility startup and commissioning, requiring work with a network of vendors and engineers. Paul has direct hands-on experience operating and maintaining several different technologies, making him well-suited to lead operations teams, prevent problems, and troubleshoot effectively.

Pedro Torres

Idaho Plant Manager

Pedro brings extensive plant management experience to the Taurus Biogas team, having managed the operations of gas plants involving both swine and cattle manure. In prior roles, Pedro led facilities through ISO 9000 and 14000 certifications and has extensive wastewater processing experience, providing a strong knowledge base for optimizing process equipment. He has been responsible for KPI and budget creation and tracking and has provided training and supervision to operations and maintenance teams.

Jack Rutledge

I&C Technician

Jack has a 30-year career in electrical and automation work, gaining extensive experience installing, troubleshooting, and repairing motors, equipment, and sensors. Jack’s strong background in electrical and mechanical systems makes him an essential team member at Taurus Biogas, ensuring facilities operate safely, correctly, and efficiently. Jack is skilled with VFD’s, PLC’s, sensors, low and medium voltage, as well as various software platforms, and is particularly comfortable with Allen Bradley systems.

Shaundiin Whalawitsa

HSSE Manager

Shaundiin brings extensive expertise in safety leadership and regulatory compliance within the mining, construction, and energy sectors. Committed to fostering a culture of safety and operational excellence, she strategically manages risk and implements effective training programs. Holding an MBA, Shaundiin provides a balanced, forward-thinking approach to regulatory adherence and sustainable safety initiatives.

Anahita Miller

Finance & HR Manager

Anahita oversees HR and Finance operations at Taurus Biogas, bringing extensive experience in budgeting, forecasting, and compensation management. Her strong interpersonal and organizational skills help streamline HR and financial functions. With experience in both large Fortune 500 and smaller companies, Anahita is a collaborative team player focused on effective decision-making. Her contributions ensure the smooth operation of these critical areas at Taurus Biogas.

Jennifer Keyes

Procurement Specialist

Jennifer brings a strong purchasing background to Taurus Biogas, with over a decade of experience in the automotive industry, specializing in international component sourcing and program management. In the biogas sector, she has built parts systems, integrating inventory strategies with purchasing to support operational growth. Jennifer collaborates with field technicians, trains teams, coordinates deliveries, nurtures supplier relationships, and acts as a key liaison between operations and management.

Chris Cottle

Assistant Plant Manager

Chris brings 9 years of industrial wastewater experience with a strong foundation in process flow, plant management, and maintenance. His experience includes implementing wastewater treatment plant upgrades to PLC systems. Chris’s contributions have led to cost savings through process improvements and preventative maintenance, demonstrating a focus on operational efficiency.

Joe Tesar, M.S.E.E., B.S.M.E

Consulting Engineer

For the past decade, Joe has worked to improve the design and operation of anaerobic digester systems, dealing with problems ranging from feedstock optimization to thermal management. As an experienced, multi-craft engineer, Joe can deliver technical solutions to solve the diverse mechanical, electrical, and analytical problems that inevitably arise throughout a project’s lifecycle.

Gary Neun

Startup & Commissioning Consultant

Gary brings over 45 years of consultant experience in utility operation and maintenance, demonstrating extensive capability in water, wastewater, and biosolids. His expertise includes process startup and commissioning of numerous facilities globally. With a background in Environmental Control Technology and Management, Gary offers deep knowledge in operational excellence and reliable project delivery. He holds significant certifications and has contributed numerous publications to the field.

Our Core Values

At Taurus Biogas, our actions are guided by core values that define who we are and how we operate:

Partnership

We work collaboratively with project owners, with the goal of integrating seamlessly with your day-to-day operations.

Expertise & Capability

We offer expert and efficient biogas facility management, leveraging decades of hands-on experience in dairy, agriculture, and biogas facility management.

Trust & Reliability

We are a reliable partner, dedicated to ensuring the consistent and dependable operation of your biogas facility, and committed to delivering on our promises with integrity.

Safety

We maintain a strong culture grounded in best-in-class safety and risk management practices, ensuring the well-being of our employees, facilities, and communities.

Partnership

We work collaboratively with project owners, with the goal of integrating seamlessly with your day-to-day operations.

Expertise & Capability

We offer expert and efficient biogas facility management, leveraging decades of hands-on experience in dairy, agriculture, and biogas facility management.

Trust & Reliability

We are a reliable partner, dedicated to ensuring the consistent and dependable operation of your biogas facility, and committed to delivering on our promises with integrity.

Safety

We maintain a strong culture grounded in best-in-class safety and risk management practices, ensuring the well-being of our employees, facilities, and communities.

Driven by Expertise, Committed to Excellence in Biogas Operations

Comprehensive Biogas Operations

Meet Our

Leaders

Our Core Values

Partnership

Expertise & Capability

Trust & Reliability

Safety

Partnership

Expertise & Capability

Trust & Reliability

Safety

Ready to Maximize Your Biogas Facility’s Potential?