Jerry Caulder
Often referred to as the "father of agricultural biotechnology," Dr. Jerry Caulder is the executive chairman of Finistere Partners, LLC. Dr. Caulder is also currently Executive Chairman of Chlorogen, Inc., a venture backed therapeutic plant company based in St Louis; Athenix Corporation, a venture backed plant sciences company based in Research Triangle, North Carolina; and PhytaGro, Inc., a plant sciences company based in California and New Zealand. Dr. Caulder is also director of Catharos, Inc., an early stage Bay Area medical devices company.
Until June 2005, Dr. Caulder was Executive Chairman of Advanced Stent Technologies, Inc., a cardiac intervention medical devices company based in Pleasanton, California. He also serves on the board of advisors to both of Burrill & Co's agbio venture funds and was involved in the founding of many local, state and national biotech industry groups and initiatives. Dr. Caulder is internationally well recognized and is a frequent speaker at industry forums.
Ryan L. Churchill
Ryan L. Churchill is currently President & Chief Operating Officer of Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. (MLP), located in Kahului, Maui, where he is responsible for its day-to-day operations and its operating divisions of Kapalua Land Company, Ltd., Community Development and Asset Management. Prior to his appointment to his current position, Mr. Churchill served in various positions within MLP’s resort and land development operations. Before he joined MLP, Mr. Churchill worked with KPMG, LLP in its real estate consulting group in Honolulu and with Fieldstone Communities, a Southern California homebuilder.
He serves on various community organizations’ boards including the Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. and the Hawaii Nature Center, and is a member of the Hawaii Chapters of the Urban Land Institute and the Building Industry Association of America. Mr. Churchill has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Irvine.
Kyle Datta
Kyle Datta is the general partner of Ulupono Initiative. He was recently the CEO of U.S. Biodiesel Group, a national biodiesel firm funded by private equity. Prior to this role, Mr. Datta was Managing Director of Research and Consulting at the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). He is co-author of RMI's last two major books on energy, "Winning the Oil End Game" and "Small is Profitable." Mr. Datta was formerly a vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton and served as managing partner of the firm’s energy practice in Singapore, and as leader of the U.S. Utility practice. During his twelve years at Booz Allen Hamilton, Mr. Datta worked with Fortune 100 energy companies on strategy, operations, and environmental sustainability in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Asia and Latin America. Mr. Datta received a master’s degree in public and private management from the Yale School of Organization and Management and a master’s degree in environmental science in resource economics from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Neil J. Hannahs
Neil J. Hannahs directs the Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools which is responsible for a portfolio of 358,000 acres of agriculture and conservation lands in Hawai`i. These lands are managed to promote a thriving land for a vibrant people by implementing asset management strategies that: optimize care and use of natural, cultural and water resources; create sustainable systems to produce food, renewable energy and timber resources; support sustainable, community-based economic development; and foster social enterprise development to engage Hawaiian stakeholders in opportunities to execute and benefit from these strategies.
Mr. Hannahs is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received his BA and MA degrees from Stanford University. He is active in community affairs, serving on the governance boards of Queen’s Health System, Queen’s Medical Center, Moloka`i General Hospital, Bishop Museum, Polynesian Voyaging Society, Wai`anae Community Re-Development Corporation, Hawaiʻi BioEnergy and Hawaiian Islands Land Trust. He is also founder and co-director of the First Nations Futures Program, and serves on a number of educational and cultural advisory boards.
Warren H. Haruki
Warren H. Haruki is currently President & Chief Executive Officer of Grove Farm Company, Inc., a privately held company located in Lihu'e, Kaua'i, a position he has held since February 2005. Mr. Haruki also is the Chairman of the Board for Maui Land & Pineapple. He concluded a 26-year career with GTE Hawaiian Tel -- Verizon Hawai'i , serving as its President & Chief Executive Officer from 1991 until his retirement in October 2003. Mr. Haruki also serves as a Trustee for the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust, a land development and cattle ranch company headquartered on the Big Island of Hawai'i.
He serves on the Boards of Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Pacific Guardian Life Insurance Company, and First Hawaiian Bank. Mr. Haruki serves on various community and non-profit organization boards, including the Blood Bank of Hawai'i , which he chaired from 2002-2003. Mr. Haruki has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from Purdue University, a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Hawai'i, and is a Certified Public Accountant.