About Alden
About FOG-X
The “FOG-X” system is Alden Group’s proprietary waste reduction solution. FOG-X efficiently converts the recovered food processing byproduct to a marketable commodity meeting quality specification for the manufacture of renewable fuels that do not compete with food supplies. The FOG-X technology is carefully engineered to accommodate a range of different quality fats, oils, and greases to provides biofuel producers with low carbon feedstocks having quality and cost advantages in the market. In a corporate environment focused on sustainability Alden Group is well positioned to deliver competitive, environmentally friendly resource recovery and recycling solutions for waste fats, oils, and greases.
Alden Group Facilities
Alden Group Facilities
Al Salazar
CEO
Al is the CEO and Founder of Jefferson Enterprise, the parent company of the Alden Group portfolio. Mr. Salazar brings over 30 years committed to the funding, startup operations, and oversight of commercial scale projects. He is currently the CEO of all Jefferson Enterprise entities. He started the Jefferson group of companies when he conceived of and executed the end-to-end development of the Jefferson Energy Terminal in Beaumont, Texas - the largest multi-modal petroleum liquids terminal in the nation. He has now focused the Jefferson team on the development of a portfolio of “green energy” assets.
William (Bill) Paul
Operations
Bill Paul has over 25 years global experience in the industrial wastewater and waste processing arena. Bill has provided design, upgrading and retrofitting of over 500 industrial wastewater and fluid process systems worldwide. Some of Bill's core competencies are grease trap wastewater facility operations, environmental practices in industrial operations and management of fluid/solids processes. Bill has participated in startup ventures to develop waste/energy/fluid technology for various markets and has directed operational development of algae to biofuel operation at a major US power plant. Bill holds several utility environmental and process patents and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.
Richard Thayer
President
Richard is experienced in project development and operations management. Prior to joining Jefferson and being appointed to lead the Alden Group portfolio Richard served in various roles in upstream oil and gas including operations management of over 60,000 barrels per day of oil production. In this role Richard managed a 120-million-dollar operations budget as well as a team of engineers, technologists, and field staff. In previous roles Richard participated in management, planning, modeling, and evaluation of a 300-million-dollar drilling and exploration capital budget. Richard holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a veteran of the United States Army.
Stephanie Abrego
Administration
Stephanie Abrego manages Alden's administrative segments including Human Resources, Public Relations, Government Affairs and Information Technology. She has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Human Resources and obtained International Strategic Business Partner certificate from the CEB Leadership Academy. Ms. Abrego’s experience spans 30 years at both private and public companies including facilities across the U.S., Canada, Panama, Puerto Rico and Amsterdam.
Tom Baird
Business Development
Tom has over 30 years of experience in industrial and environmental services. Tom is the principal of AO3 Solutions which specializes in environmental controls and management. Tom has extensive experience in sales and business development with a history of managing multimillion dollar business relationships. Before founding AO3 Solutions Tom served multiple roles including Director of National Accounts and Regional Sales Manager at various industry leading companies. In all of these rolls Tom was responsible for the development of business relationships, execution of contracts, and customer retention and satisfaction. Tom is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Billea Rippe Karnes
Strategy and Planning
Billea Karnes has more than a decade of experience in energy. She built a career in Oil & Gas as a reservoir engineer where she gained expertise in project evaluation, process improvement and financial modeling. Billea also has extensive experience in acquisitions and divestures and technical investor communications. She graduated from University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. She is a past Chair and current member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and sits on the University of Tulsa Petroleum Engineering Advisory Board. Billea lives in Tulsa with her husband and 2 children.
Al Salazar
CEO
Al is the CEO and Founder of Jefferson Enterprise, the parent company of the Alden Group portfolio. Mr. Salazar brings over 30 years committed to the funding, startup operations, and oversight of commercial scale projects. He is currently the CEO of all Jefferson Enterprise entities. He started the Jefferson group of companies when he conceived of and executed the end-to-end development of the Jefferson Energy Terminal in Beaumont, Texas - the largest multi-modal petroleum liquids terminal in the nation. He has now focused the Jefferson team on the development of a portfolio of “green energy” assets.
Richard Thayer
President
Richard is experienced in project development and operations management. Prior to joining Jefferson and being appointed to lead the Alden Group portfolio Richard served in various roles in upstream oil and gas including operations management of over 60,000 barrels per day of oil production. In this role Richard managed a 120-million-dollar operations budget as well as a team of engineers, technologists, and field staff. In previous roles Richard participated in management, planning, modeling, and evaluation of a 300-million-dollar drilling and exploration capital budget. Richard holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a veteran of the United States Army.
Tom Baird
Business Development
Tom has over 30 years of experience in industrial and environmental services. Tom is the principal of AO3 Solutions which specializes in environmental controls and management. Tom has extensive experience in sales and business development with a history of managing multimillion dollar business relationships. Before founding AO3 Solutions Tom served multiple roles including Director of National Accounts and Regional Sales Manager at various industry leading companies. In all of these rolls Tom was responsible for the development of business relationships, execution of contracts, and customer retention and satisfaction. Tom is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
William (Bill) Paul
Operations
Bill Paul has over 25 years global experience in the industrial wastewater and waste processing arena. Bill has provided design, upgrading and retrofitting of over 500 industrial wastewater and fluid process systems worldwide. Some of Bill's core competencies are grease trap wastewater facility operations, environmental practices in industrial operations and management of fluid/solids processes. Bill has participated in startup ventures to develop waste/energy/fluid technology for various markets and has directed operational development of algae to biofuel operation at a major US power plant. Bill holds several utility environmental and process patents and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.
Stephanie Abrego
Administration
Stephanie Abrego manages Alden's administrative segments including Human Resources, Public Relations, Government Affairs and Information Technology. She has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Human Resources and obtained International Strategic Business Partner certificate from the CEB Leadership Academy. Ms. Abrego’s experience spans 30 years at both private and public companies including facilities across the U.S., Canada, Panama, Puerto Rico and Amsterdam.
Billea Rippe Karnes
Strategy and Planning
Billea Karnes has more than a decade of experience in energy. She built a career in Oil & Gas as a reservoir engineer where she gained expertise in project evaluation, process improvement and financial modeling. Billea also has extensive experience in acquisitions and divestures and technical investor communications. She graduated from University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. She is a past Chair and current member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and sits on the University of Tulsa Petroleum Engineering Advisory Board. Billea lives in Tulsa with her husband and 2 children.
