Robert Matthews has worked for Forest Research in the UK for over 35 years, where currently he serves as a Science Group Leader. He and his team have a track record of research into the core forestry subjects of mensuration, growth and yield, and have produced the standard guides on forest mensuration procedures and yield prediction that are widely used in the UK forest sector.
Robert’s team are also engaged in research into the carbon and greenhouse gas balances of forests and wood product supply chains, and the roles of forests, forest management and wood products in climate change mitigation. They have published numerous studies on the carbon impacts of managing forests to produce biomass and bioenergy, undertaken for stakeholders including the UK Government, European Commission, environmental NGOs and biomass industries. These have included several assessments of options for policy incentive frameworks and forest carbon accounting systems to support forest management for climate change mitigation and the sustainable use of forest biomass.
Robert has contributed to IPCC Good Practice Guidance on preparing greenhouse gas inventories, serving as a Lead Author (wood products) and Review Editor (representation of land). He is also a Lead Author of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (Working Group III, Mitigation Pathways Compatible with Long-Term Goals).
Shauna is the Founding Director at the consultancy The Forest Link. She is a Forester and sustainability expert with more than 15 years working in cross-continental sustainable forest management, global forest investment management, and agricultural development with an expertise in tropical developing countries. She has worked for one of the world’s leading forest investment companies, as well as with several forest industry companies.
Shauna first studied as a Forester at the University of British Columbia, and since has earned a double Master of Science in Agricultural Development from the University of Copenhagen, and Tropical Forest Management from the Technical University of Dresden, and advanced project management training from Implement Consulting Group.
Vaughan Bassett is SVP Biomass Sales & Logistics at Drax, leading the sales of biomass to third parties and identifying opportunities for new markets and customers. He is also President of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada. Vaughan has an extensive career in international forest products businesses. Previously, he spent almost 20 years with Sappi, a global pulp and paper company. As the executive in charge of their world-wide pulp sales, he was stationed in Hong Kong for 10 years before moving to Canada in 2007. He joined Pinnacle in 2011.
Vaughan earned his BSc from the University of Natal and his MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand, both located in South Africa.
Ben is Vice President of Biomass Procurement and Sales for Drax Biomass. In this role, he is responsible for the origination, negotiation, execution and relationship management of medium-to-long term pellet procurement and sales contracts.
Ben joined Drax Biomass in 2012 shortly after the business was formed, helping to guide its growth from a development project into a successful operating entity. He previously served as an International Biomass Buyer at Drax Power Limited in the UK, responsible for negotiating pellet procurement contracts to support Drax Power Station’s transformation into a predominately biomass-fueled facility. Prior to joining Drax, Ben held a variety of contracting, bulk shipping and logistics roles at Glencore, a multinational commodity marketing and trading company.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Science degree in in Agriculture and Business Management from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Dana Day is Director of Human Resources for Drax Biomass. She is responsible for all aspects of Human Resources including recruiting and staffing, benefits, performance, change and safety management and employee coaching.
Dana joined Drax Biomass from Franke Kitchen Systems where she was an HR Business Partner supporting plant managers and management teams in all aspects of operations including Unions, employee engagement, performance management, safety, environmental compliance and employee growth and development.
She spent 13 years as Human Resources and Safety Manager for Graphic Packaging, Inc. and various management roles with Flint Ink and Progressive Ink Company.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with a Concentration on Human Resources from the University of Phoenix. She earned a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification and is a member of the North Louisiana Society of Human Resources Managers (SHRM).
Annmarie Sartor is Communications Officer for Drax Biomass. Her responsibilities include media, governmental, community relations and employee communications.
She joined Drax Biomass in 2018 after 27 years with CenturyLink where she developed and managed internal and external communications strategies supporting media relations, public policy, community relations, executive communications and economic development.
Annmarie has been recognized as one of Northeast Louisiana’s most influential women, a Woman of F.I.R.E. (Fervently Impacting Communities by Renewing Spirits and Empowering Minds) and is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Louisiana. She has published four fictional novels and has served on numerous non-profit and professional boards in leadership roles.
Annmarie is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) and serves as a member of the Ouachita Business Alliance (OBA). She also serves on the Vestry at Grace Episcopal Church.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations from Northeast Louisiana University (now the University of Louisiana at Monroe).
Randy Webster is Director of Engineering for Drax Biomass. His primary responsibility is for the identification, evaluation and implementation of capital projects. He also works to help solve operating and maintenance challenges.
Randy joined Drax Biomass in 2017. He previously worked for 35 years in the pulp and paper industry, working for such companies as International Paper, Georgia Pacific and Boise Cascade. He also worked for Jacobs Engineering as a Senior Project Manager. His experience is in engineering, maintenance and operations, specifically boilers and power generation.
Randy holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.
Becky Pullin is Director of Finance for Drax Biomass. She is responsible for all aspects of finance across the company including analyzing and reporting financial performance to Management, monitoring budgets and forecasts for all business units, managing cash flows, and ensuring that internal controls are in place and operating effectively.
Becky joined Drax in 2018 with 15 years professional experience in different aspects of Finance and Accounting including manufacturing accounting, public accounting, telecommunications industry and tax.
She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and holds a Louisiana CPA license.
Amber Bouska is the Vice President of North American HSE Drax Biomass. Her responsibilities include regulatory compliance, developing and implementing policies and instructions on HSE topics, and all training.
She joined Drax Biomass in 2019 after 2 years with Amazon as a Site Safety Manager. Prior to Amazon she worked in the Biomass industry as an Operational Manager and the Environmental, Health and Safety Manager developing industry standards for safety and environmental compliance.
Amber is a Navy Veteran with numerous achievement medals during her service. Currently serves a Chairperson for the USIPA Safety Work Group.
She holds a Master of Science Degree in Safety, Security, & Emergency Management and a Graduate Certificate in Occupational Safety from Eastern Kentucky University.
