Press Release
For Immediate Release – CHONEX Announces Key Executive Hires to Accelerate Growth and Innovation in Insect-Derived Materials for Crop Production
Robertsdale, Alabama — April 22, 2026 — CHONEX announced the appointment of Michael Pisciotta as Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer and Sam Gray as Chief Operating Officer. These additions to the executive team support the company’s continued growth and advancement of agricultural inputs derived from insect-based materials.
Pisciotta brings more than ten years of experience in agronomy, regulatory strategy, product commercialization, and market development. In his role, he will lead CHONEX’s product development and commercialization efforts, research strategy, regulatory initiatives, technical support and innovation programs. He will work closely with Gray to drive sales growth and develop strategic partnerships.
“CHONEX is poised to become the leader in insect-derived inputs for agronomic production,” said Pisciotta. “I’ve had a long-term respect for using these types of materials, but there has been no one taking more of a hard look at the science and impact in the field than CHONEX.”
Prior to joining CHONEX, Pisciotta served the company through his consulting firm, Poma Ag Group, which focuses on biological input strategy and regulatory affairs. He previously held the role of Director of Agronomy for the Southern U.S. at Timac Agro USA. Pisciotta is a Certified Crop Adviser, 4R Nutrient Management Specialist, BeCrop Certified Adviser, and a member of The Fertilizer Institute’s Biostimulant Council. He holds a Master of Agricultural Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Agriscience & Environmental Systems from the University of Georgia.
Gray brings experience in agricultural operations, financial strategy, and venture development. As Chief Operating Officer, he will oversee fundraising, financial modeling, investor relations, and operational strategy. He will also partner with Pisciotta to support commercial growth and strategic initiatives.
“Having Michael Pisciotta and Sam Gray working together puts CHONEX in a unique position in the market,” said Michael Lynch, CEO of CHONEX. “Having Sam, a farmer, as COO helps ensure the company remains focused on delivering solutions that address the real challenges facing American agriculture.”
Prior to joining CHONEX, Gray founded Pinebloom Farms & Packing, a blueberry farming and packing operation in Southeast Georgia. He oversees operations for a facility that processes approximately two million pounds of fruit annually for his own farm and several neighboring growers. Gray previously served as a Senior Business Analyst at Medical Reimbursements of America and began his career at R1 RCM. He holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.
“Our goal is to take our platform of insect-derived materials and build tools to help fight some of the biggest challenges farmers face today,” said Gray.
About CHONEX
CHONEX leverages its insect-derived biological platform to enhance both plant nutrition and crop protection. Working at the biological level, CHONEX improves soil and crop resilience, supports stronger root systems, and improves nitrogen use efficiency. Learn more at chonex.ag
Media Contact:
Erin Williams
ewilliams@chonex.ag
(251) 328-4258
Michael S. Pisciotta, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer
Michael S. Pisciotta brings a decade of cross-functional expertise in agronomy, regulatory strategy, product commercialization, and market development to his role as Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer at CHONEX. In this capacity, he leads the company’s product development and commercialization efforts, research strategy, regulatory pathway, and technical support and innovation programs, working alongside Chief Operating Officer Sam Gray to steward sales growth and strategic partner development.
Prior to joining as an executive, Pisciotta had served CHONEX through the consulting group he founded – Poma Ag Group, an agribusiness consulting firm specializing in biological input strategy and regulatory affairs. He previously served as Director of Agronomy for the Southern U.S. at Timac Agro USA. He is a Certified Crop Adviser, a 4R Nutrient Management Specialist, a BeCrop Certified Adviser in soil microbial DNA sequencing technology, and a member of The Fertilizer Institute’s Biostimulant Council.
Pisciotta holds a Master of Agricultural Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Agriscience & Environmental Systems, both from the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.
Sam Gray, Chief Operating Officer
Sam Gray brings a unique combination of agricultural operations, financial strategy, and venture development to his role as Chief Operating Officer at CHONEX. In this capacity, he leads fundraising, financial modeling, investor relations, and operational strategy – working alongside Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer Michael Pisciotta to steward sales growth and strategic partner development.
Before joining CHONEX, Gray founded and built Pinebloom Farms & Packing, a blueberry farming and packing operation in Southeast Georgia. There, he oversees the planning and operation of a packhouse that processes roughly two million pounds of fruit for his own acreage and seven neighboring growers. He previously served as a Senior Business Analyst at Medical Reimbursements of America, where he managed financial proposals for prospective client sales and developed reporting systems to grow revenue and reduce operating costs. He began his career at R1 RCM in revenue cycle management for Ascension health systems.
Gray holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.