Leadership Team
Nick Thomas, Bioenergy Devco CEO
Appointed in 2024, Nick Thomas serves as Chief Executive Officer at Bioenergy Devco.
Rooted in generational engineering and a chemical engineer by training, Mr. Thomas has over 25 years of transformative industry experience. He served as Chairman and CEO of Meritage Midstream Services ll, LLC, orchestrating a $885 million sale to Western Midstream, adding to his impressive track record of over a billion dollars of value creation for stakeholders.
Mr. Thomas co-founded Meritage Midstream Services III, LLC, where he led as President and COO. Thomas was instrumental in orchestrating the initial transaction with a large privately held producer that ultimately positioned the company to become a leading crude oil, natural gas, and water infrastructure solutions provider to the prolific northwest Alberta Montney. The company was sold to a joint venture of SemCams and KKR in February 2019 for CAD $600 million. Prior to that, Mr. Thomas was Executive Vice President at Meritage Midstream Services, LLC, which provided infrastructure solutions to customers in the South Texas Eagle Ford. Thomas was instrumental in the formation and funding of the company, establishing an initial partnership with a large privately held producer and negotiating crucial commercial agreements with several follow-on customers. The company was sold to Howard Energy Partners in April 2012.
Known for his transparent and integrity-driven leadership, Mr. Thomas is a respected industry figure who is dedicated to achieving excellence in every endeavor. Earlier in his career, he held various commercial, marketing, and engineering roles in the energy and petrochemical industries.
Mr. Thomas' leadership ethos, grounded in transparency and integrity, firmly establishes him as a respected and influential figure in his industry. Beyond his professional achievements, he is deeply committed to his personal life, dedicating time to his family and engaging in outdoor adventures such as mountain biking, heli-skiing, and fly fishing.
Mike Woodward, Bioenergy Devco President
Michael Woodward is a seasoned energy executive with over 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors, specializing in natural gas infrastructure. Throughout his career, he has held key roles of increasing responsibility in accounting, finance, marketing, and corporate and business development, consistently demonstrating a commitment to driving company growth and success. Most recently, Mr. Woodward played a pivotal role in the $885 million sale of Meritage Midstream to Western Midstream in 2023, where he helped manage all aspects of the transaction while continuing to help lead the business and secure additional commercial deals.
In addition to his M&A accomplishments, Mr. Woodward led the negotiation of a groundbreaking $250 million revenue guarantee contract with a large investment-grade counterparty, which was crucial to the financial stability of the company during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past decade, his ability to originate and execute over $1.0 billion in long-term commercial contracts showcases his exceptional negotiation skills and strategic insight.
Recognized as one of Hart Energy Oil and Gas Investor magazine’s “40 under 40” in 2020, Mr. Woodward’s initiative, intelligence, and persistence have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the energy sector.
As President, Mr. Woodward will bring his deep industry knowledge, proven leadership, and ability to navigate complex challenges to drive strategic growth and ensure the long-term success of Bioenergy Devco. As an avid investor in the renewable energy space, Mr. Woodward’s commitment to the RNG industry will propel the company's mission to drive forward sustainable energy solutions.
Dain Santarelli, Chief Operating Officer
Dain Santarelli is an accomplished leader in the energy industry with a track record of success in varied operations, project management, and engineering roles. With over a decade of experience, he has consistently driven strategic initiatives, optimized operations, and led cross-functional teams to deliver complex infrastructure projects successfully. As Chief Operating Officer at Bioenergy Devco, Mr. Santarelli brings his expertise in transforming operational efficiency and executing strategic goals to propel the company's growth and innovation in the renewable energy sector.
Prior to joining Bioenergy Devco, Mr. Santarelli served as the Vice President & General Manager for Powder River Basin Operations at Meritage Midstream Services ll, leading a team of over 70 personnel operating the Thunder Creek Gas Services and Thunder Creek NGL Pipeline assets. His leadership was pivotal during the $885 million sale of Meritage Midstream to Western Midstream in October 2023, ensuring reliable and safe operations throughout the transaction and a seamless transition with no value erosion.
During his tenure at Meritage, Mr. Santarelli advanced through roles including Project Manager, Engineering Manager, and Director of Project Execution, Construction, and Supply Chain. His rapid advancement was a testament to his ability to lead teams executing complex capital programs in challenging environments with frequently changing priorities. His collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders, from customers to government agencies, was instrumental in the successful completion of these programs.
Prior to joining Meritage, Mr. Santarelli honed his engineering and project management skills at Williams and Enerflex Ltd., where he designed, constructed, and commissioned gas compression facilities and equipment. His technical expertise and leadership were essential to the successful completion of numerous high-profile domestic and international projects.
Mr. Santarelli’s career began in the United States Army, where he served as an Armor Officer, gaining invaluable leadership experience during combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His military background instilled a strong work ethic, resilience, and the ability to lead teams in demanding and resource-constrained environments, a testament to his exceptional leadership skills.
Mr. Santarelli holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma State University. Mr. Santarelli maintains his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and has been in good standing since 2015. He is deeply committed to safety, operational excellence, capital discipline, and continuous improvement. His unwavering commitment to these principles, coupled with his record of success in the energy sector, make him a strategic leader capable of driving organizational growth and efficiency while ensuring the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.
Jason Meek, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Meek joined Bioenergy Devco in October 2024 with over 32 years of experience as an energy finance executive. His proven track record and financial leadership has made him a trusted figure in the energy and financial sectors.
Immediately prior to joining Bioenergy Devco, Mr. Meek was the Chief Financial Officer at PurposeEnergy, a private equity-backed food waste-to-energy development company based in Salem, NH. There he oversaw accounting, finance, capital markets, stakeholder relations, human resources, and IT, playing a key role in the company’s initial growth, strategic direction, staffing and internal systems development.
Previously, Mr. Meek served as a core member of the leadership team as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RAM Energy, a private equity-backed oil and natural gas producer in Tulsa, OK with key assets located in Fayette County, Texas. During his 10-year tenure with RAM, he led the origination, structuring, and closing of over $250 million in financing transactions and executed more than 20 acquisition and divestiture deals, totaling over $200 million.
Mr. Meek is also an experienced investment and corporate banking executive with over 20 years of expertise, specializing in the oil, natural gas, and energy sectors. His comprehensive transactional experience encompasses all areas of corporate finance, including originating and executing public and private equity raises, public and private debt issuances, lending transactions involving revolving credit facilities, term loans, and subordinated or structured debt facilities, along with strategic and financial advisory assignments, mergers and acquisitions, and divestiture advisory. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Meek has originated and executed transactions exceeding $13 billion, driving more than $200 million in gross fee income while at RBC Capital Markets, CIBC World Markets, Deutsche Bank, and others.
Mr. Meek is married to his beautiful wife and together they have three wonderful adult children. While he currently lives in Andover, Massachusetts he is a Texas native and spends considerable time in East Texas enjoying the lake after a hard day’s work driving tractors and tending to pecan trees. Mr. Meek holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Houston.
Christine McKiernan, Chief Technical Officer
Christine McKiernan has more than 30 years of experience in the renewable energy and waste recovery industry. Prior to joining BDC, she led project development efforts for organics recovery projects in the US for SUEZ North America and served as vice president of technology and development for BIOFermTM Energy Systems, leading a multinational team in waste-to-energy process development. Mrs. McKiernan's experience includes designing, constructing, and operating anaerobic, aerobic, waste, and gas treatment projects serving clients in industrial and municipal markets, handling wastes as varied as manures, biosolids, MSW, and a wide range of food processing residues.
As Chief Technical Officer, Mrs. McKiernan will laser-focus on all technical aspects of engineering and construction related to our current operating facilities and future growth projects.
Richard J. Gognat, Chief Legal Officer
Richard J. Gognat brings over 35 years of extensive legal and business experience to his role as Chief Legal Officer at Bioenergy Devco. With a deep background in finance, mergers and acquisitions, and energy, Mr. Gognat has been instrumental in managing strategic transactions, compliance, and regulatory matters. Most recently, Mr. Gognat served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary at Meritage Midstream Services II, LLC, where he played a crucial role in closing over $2 billion in M&A, private equity, and credit facility transactions. Mr. Gognat has also held senior positions at High Sierra Energy, LP, and SandRidge Energy, Inc., contributing over $5 billion in capital markets and M&A transactions.
Mr. Gognat holds a Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law and a B.S. in Business Administration from Regis University. His commitment to community service is reflected in his volunteer work as a mentor for the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business and his tenure as a board member of the American Heart Association of Oklahoma City.