Jeff Broin

Jeff Broin is an American agribusiness executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist known for founding and leading POET, one of the world's largest producers of bioethanol and renewable fuels. He is a prominent figure in the biofuels industry, agricultural innovation, renewable energy policy, and rural economic development, engaging with industry groups, academic institutions, and conservation organizations. Broin's career spans corporate growth, public advocacy, and philanthropic initiatives focused on sustainability, soil health, and community revitalization.

Early life and education

Broin was raised in rural South Dakota in a farming family in Marshall County, South Dakota, where agricultural practice and Midwestern agronomy shaped his early experience. He attended South Dakota State University, studying agricultural economics and engaging with campus organizations linked to American Farm Bureau Federation, 4-H, and land-grant research networks. Influences during his formative years included regional leaders and institutions such as the National Corn Growers Association, Iowa State University faculty collaborations, and extension services connected to University of Minnesota research on crop science.

Business career

Broin founded and expanded POET from a single plant into a multinational company involved with bioethanol, biorefineries, and renewable coproducts, developing relationships with partners like Cargill, ADM, and DuPont. Under his leadership POET pursued feedstock diversification, cellulosic ethanol research, and advanced biofuel projects in collaboration with entities such as Novozymes, Royal DSM, Abengoa, and the Department of Energy (United States). The company scaled through construction of dozens of biorefineries across states including Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Indiana, and formed strategic alliances with railroads such as Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway for logistics. Broin engaged with commodity markets and trade institutions including the Chicago Board of Trade, World Trade Organization, and U.S. Department of Agriculture on market development and regulatory frameworks like the Renewable Fuel Standard. He led technological initiatives with research partners including University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Purdue University, and Cornell University to advance fermentation, enzyme technology, and coproduct utilization involving companies such as Syngenta and BASF. POET under Broin diversified into bioproducts and biochemical ventures alongside collaborations with venture capital firms, industrial partners like Bunge Limited, and international operations linked to markets in Brazil, China, and the European Union. Broin also served on boards and councils including the Renewable Fuels Association, the Bioenergy Technologies Office advisory groups, and regional economic development organizations such as Iowa Economic Development Authority and South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development.

Philanthropy and conservation

Broin established charitable initiatives and foundations focusing on rural revitalization, soil health, and conservation agriculture, partnering with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and National Audubon Society. His philanthropic activities have funded research and programs at institutions including South Dakota State University, Iowa State University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Missouri, and Kansas State University promoting cover crops, conservation tillage, and regenerative practices. He has supported conservation finance efforts and landscape-scale projects with groups like Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Conservation Fund, and Pheasants Forever. Philanthropic collaborations extended to global initiatives associated with United Nations Environment Programme, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation agricultural programs, and climate-oriented efforts linked to Rockefeller Foundation climate resilience projects. Broin’s conservation work includes partnerships with state departments such as the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and nonprofit alliances like Soil Health Institute and The Nature Conservancy of Iowa.

Political activity and advocacy

Broin has been active in energy and agricultural policy advocacy, engaging with elected officials, regulatory agencies, and trade associations including United States Congress, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative. He has testified before congressional committees and participated in policy coalitions with groups such as the Renewable Fuels Association, National Farmers Union, National Corn Growers Association, and American Coalition for Ethanol to influence legislation and regulations including the Renewable Fuel Standard and trade policy negotiations with partners like China and the European Union. His advocacy has involved working with presidential administrations, meeting with representatives from White House policy teams and engaging state leaders such as governors from Iowa and South Dakota. Broin has contributed to political campaigns and PACs, and collaborated with think tanks and policy institutes like the Heritage Foundation, Brookings Institution, and American Enterprise Institute on energy and rural policy dialogues. He has also engaged in international regulatory forums including meetings connected to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and International Energy Agency.

Personal life and honors

Broin is married and active in community institutions and higher education governance, participating with boards at colleges and community organizations linked to South Dakota State University Foundation and regional chambers such as the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. He has received honors and awards from industry and academic bodies including recognitions from the Renewable Fuels Association, American Council on Renewable Energy, National Corn Growers Association, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, and university alumni awards from South Dakota State University. Additional accolades include business and civic awards from groups like Forbes, Fortune (magazine), Bloomberg, Ernst & Young, and regional economic development organizations. He contributes to philanthropic networks such as Council on Foundations and engages with conservation award programs administered by The Nature Conservancy and Soil Health Institute.

Category:American chief executives Category:People from South Dakota