PrairieFood™ Team

  • JASON TATGE

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Jason brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the agricultural industry to the PrairieFood team. Throughout his career, he has proven exceptional leadership and has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth in the companies he has been a part of or founded. His extensive background in commodity trading, technology and data solutions, and senior management position in large Ag public companies uniquely positions him to lead PrairieFood during this exciting phase of our journey.

  • ROBERT HERRINGTON

    CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

    Rob is a serial entrepreneur with over 50 years of leadership experience in high tech, electronics, and biotechnology. At PrairieFoodTM, Rob assembled a team of experts and developed a breakthrough micro-carbon product. PrairieFoodTM is produced from readily available biomass waste sources that stimulate all naturally occurring biology to act as a catalyst for change. Focusing on a triple bottom line, PrairieFoodTM aims to take care of People and the Planet while creating an equitable economy for all.

  • GRIFFIN ROBERTS, Ph.D.

    CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

    Griffin is an expert in biomass deconstruction. He has led the development of PrairieFood™’s proprietary hydrothermal processing technology that does in one second what takes Mother Earth hundreds of millions of years.

    Griffin holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas, where he was a Self Scholar and graduated with honors. He also holds bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

    His mission for PrairieFood™ is to revolutionize the farming industry by developing sustainable methods of increasing fertility and sequestering carbon.

  • JEFF ROSKAM

    PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Jeff is a creative and driven executive with a broad range of business experience building companies, expanding markets, and delivering capital investments that commercialize, scale, and monetize disruptive technologies.

    He has twenty-six years of early-stage experience developing commercial solutions to environmental problems in the areas of clean water, clean air, renewable fuels, CO2 sequestration, second-generation biomass, and genetically modified seed technologies.

  • TRISHA JACKSON, Ph.D.

    TRISHA JACKSON, Ph.D.

    DIRECTOR OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

    Trisha hails from central Kansas, where she learned to value prairies and rural communities. Her educational and personal adventures took her around the world, where she admired diverse cultures, foods, landscapes, and agriculture. Through her graduate studies in soil science, environmental studies, and climatology, she came to understand how regenerative agricultural practices build healthy soil to create truly resilient communities brimming with nutrient-dense food, clean water, and plentiful wildlife. With these values in mind, she was pleased to join the PrairieFood™ team to help ensure that rich, fertile soil is the number one crop.

  • GREG HASLOUER

    DIRECTOR OF SALES

    Greg Haslouer, hailing from a diversified crop and backgrounding cattle farm near Abilene, KS, has always had a strong passion for supporting and assisting farmers and ranchers in the industry. With a background as a Kansas State University alum, Greg swiftly established himself as a proven leader in various sales, management, and marketing roles within multiple businesses and start-up companies.

    As an experienced professional in the field, Greg has worked in the animal health sector, playing a crucial role in launching new products and providing support for well-known brands. Additionally, he has previously owned and operated Haslouer & Associates LLC, collaborating with companies to effectively market, establish brand presence, and successfully launch innovative products in the animal health and financial industries, specifically catering to farmers and ranchers.

    Greg's commitment to his clients goes beyond business, as he takes pride in fostering personal relationships and showing genuine care for their families and overall business operations. With immense enthusiasm, he eagerly takes on the opportunity to lead, develop, and support the journey toward advancing soil health with PrairieFood.

  • MARK HINZE, MS, CCA

    SOIL HEALTH AGRONOMIST

    Mark Reed Hinze is an experienced agronomist with over 35 years of experience in the agricultural industry. Growing up on a rural farm in Nebraska, he developed a passion for irrigated row crops and obtained his Bachelor's and Master of Science degrees in Agriculture with a major in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mark is a Certified Crop Advisor and holds certifications from the Nebraska Registry of Certified Crop Consultants and the American Society of Agronomy. He has published research in Field Crops Research and Crop Shop, FMC Solutions on maize hybrid response to tillage and the economic impact of Heliothis zea on seed corn.

    Mark is a farmer at heart and enjoys various farming activities, including running tractors, trucks, planters, sprayers, grain carts, combines, and wiring pivots for growers when needed. Mark joined PrairieFood as a Soil Health Agronomist serving the states of Nebraska and Kansas using his expertise in agronomy to help farmers regenerate their soils and improve crop yield.

  • RICHARD BAZEMORE

    CONTROLLER

    Richard's career began in the U.S. Army as an Armor officer, after which he transitioned into the private sector, where he has held leadership positions in both large corporations and small businesses. With a Master's in Business Administration, concentrating in Accounting, Richard started his journey as an accountant. Richard's specialty lies in using financial metrics to identify opportunities for growth and development in small businesses. With his expertise, he aims to manage PrairieFood's small business operations with cyclical operating cycles to optimize growth and profitability.

    As the Controller for PrairieFood, Richard brings his vast experience in financial management to the table. He is dedicated to ensuring the company's financials are in order, streamlining processes, and optimizing the use of resources. Richard's goal is to positively impact PrairieFood's growth and success by leveraging his financial expertise to benefit the company.

  • ERIC MCMANAMAN

    GENERAL MANAGER, PRATT OPERATIONS

    Native to Pratt, Kansas, Eric was exposed to farming and ranching at a young age and pursued his passion by earning a degree in Animal Science/Business from Kansas State University. As an avid outdoorsman, Eric is committed to the conservation of native grasslands and utilizes prescribed burns and brush-clearing techniques. He has also gained valuable experience working on ranches in Colorado and Wyoming and managing large livestock and feed milling operations in the Northern Great Plains.

    Eric's dedication to the agricultural industry extends beyond his professional career. He operates a stocker cattle operation and previously worked in the Animal Health field, traveling extensively throughout the U.S. He also serves on several local groups, including as a volunteer firefighter and as the founder of the first Pheasants Forever chapter in Pratt, Kansas.

    At Prairiefood, Eric brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as General Manager, overseeing operations in Pratt and ensuring that the company's commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of the land is upheld.

  • Beth Landau

    Executive Administrator

    Beth Landau brings over 25 years of agribusiness experience and a deep passion for Agricultural Education to the PrairieFood team.   With a strong marketing and relationship development background, Beth has worked with various organizations in the agricultural industry. Her expertise includes managing advertising campaigns, overseeing industry events, and implementing effective marketing strategies. Additionally, Beth has a deep understanding of agricultural operations, including cattle production and management practices.

    As the Executive Administrator at PrairieFood, Beth plays a pivotal role in supporting the company's fast-paced growth initiatives. With a bachelor's degree in business management, she brings her skills in relationship development to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail ensure that operations run smoothly and efficiently. Beth's commitment to excellence and ability to adapt quickly to evolving situations make her a valuable asset to the team. Based at PrairieFood's corporate location in Lawrence, KS, Beth is dedicated to contributing to the company's success and advancing sustainable agriculture.

 Board of Advisors

  • Vern Hawkins, President, Syngenta Crop Protection

  • Dr. Thomas Binder, Former SVP and Head of Research, ADM

  • Rod Brenneman, Former CEO, Butterball and Seaboard Foods

  • Dr. Alain Briancon, VP data science at Profiles by Kantar

  • Michael Doane, Global Managing Director Sustainable Food & Water, The Nature Conservancy

  • Gary Mason, Former Deputy Secretary, Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment

  • Tom Hoenig, Former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City & Distinguished Senior Fellow Mercatus Center

  • Dr. Bala Subramaniam, Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas

  • Robert V. Gunderson Jr., founding partner, and Chairman Emeritus of Gunderson Detmer Law Firm

 Partners/Vendors