Staff
Staff Biographies
Jeremy Lenz, Vice President of Operations
Jeremy Lenz was recruited by key industry and community leaders to the founding staff position for the organization in January 2005. Lenz’ responsibilities have been wide- ranging including coordinating and implementing Minnesota’s first ever statewide industry assessment, supporting startup companies, and leading organizational development. He is a recipient of the 2008 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s ‘40 under 40’ award and a 2006 recipient of the American Marshall Memorial Fellowship from the German Marshall Fund. Mr. Lenz is studying for his MBA at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.
Rebekah Kent, Senior Program Manager
Rebekah (“Bekah”) Kent joined the organization in January, 2007. She is the point person for the BioBusiness Resource Network, which supports companies and develops biobusiness infrastructure in the state.
Bekah has a degree in Political Science and Psychology along with a joint degree in Law and Health Services Research and Policy from the University of Minnesota. She came to us from Anglia Ruskin University in England where she taught public health and social policy. Prior to then, she was with Halleland Consulting at Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson.
Gregg Mast, Senior Program Manager
Gregg has been with the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota since January, 2008. He is responsible for convening and leading diverse stakeholder groups to develop a long-term strategic direction for Minnesota in the subject areas of renewable energy, biomaterials and food products for Destination 2025. In his role, he also leads and supports statewide capacity building projects, including company recruitment.
Gregg brings a background in green entrepreneurship to the organization, having successfully founded and led Earthtech Energy, an agricultural biomass pellet fuel company. He has also worked in various corporate finance capacities throughout his career, most recently, at Allianz Life, a U.S. subsidiary of Allianz SE.
Amy Johnson, Senior Program Manager
Amy Johnson joined the organization in August, 2006 and is currently responsible for organizational and company support for the food and animal health industries. Amy has a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. She received a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Environmental Law and Policy from the University of Colorado at Denver. In addition to other positions in local, state and federal government, Amy served as a Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in Minneapolis for almost five years.
Tim Welle, Program Manager
Tim joined the organization in September 2007 and began working full time in January 2010 as Program Manager for the Renewable Materials Market. His primary responsibility is to understand, organize and develop resources in Minnesota to support the development of end product manufacturing with renewable materials. Tim graduated from the University of Saint Thomas in December 2009 with a degree in Economics. He brings an agricultural background to the organization. Since joining the BioBusiness Alliance, he has been involved in the research and writing of Destination 2025 and the development of the Renewable Energy systems dynamics model.
Melissa Kjolsing, Communications Manager
Melissa Kjolsing joined the organization in January, 2008. She is responsible for managing the organization’s communications and outreach activities. Her responsibilities include media relations, online content management and maintenance, the BioBulletin newsletter, graphic design, production development and promotion. She received her degree in Mass Communications and Women’s Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Susan Melton, Administrative Assistant
Susan Melton joined the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota in September, 2007 as our Administrative Assistant. She has extensive experience in all areas of office management and support. She has worked in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Susan worked as an office manager for over six years for a cellular sales company, and most recently served as assistant to the Executive Director of Washburn Child Guidance Center, a children’s mental health agency.