Meet Our Team

CHONEX started in 2017 when founder and CEO Michael Lynch was conducting consulting work that centered on recycling poultry manure and extracting protein to use as livestock feed. The company’s name is an acronym stemming from the four components of protein – Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen, as well as “ex” for extraction.

While the goal was achievable in small tests, it wasn’t scalable. Through significant R&D, CHONEX was able to develop a process to produce a bio-fertilizer instead. By developing a proprietary, patent-pending process that selects for beneficial microbes and eliminates pathogens, CHONEX produces a lightweight, dry bio-fertilizer called StrongSoil™ . When combined with aerated water, StrongSoil™ releases dormant microbes that rapidly multiply to produce a microbially dense application to improve agricultural soil.

CHONEX produces StrongSoil™ at its plant in Robertsdale, Alabama, U.S.A. To meet rising demand, construction on a larger facility with greater processing capacity is underway. We are also designing our facility to be replicated across the nation and the world.

  • Michael is a successful entrepreneur, community leader, and builder of talented, highly motivated teams that are committed to solving complex problems. His experience includes leading a statewide effort to bring Teach for America to Alabama, developing a remote tutoring program with Auburn University, and developing and chairing a mental health outreach program integrated with University of Alabama at Birmingham Nursing School. He is a visionary innovator with passion and leadership skills to effect change in the world.

  • Sofia comes from a multi-generation farm family and holds a BS in Biochemistry and PhD in Biological Sciences. Her expertise and research focus are on plant physiology, molecular biology, microbiology, biotechnology, and plant pathology. Dr. Andreola has held a post-doctoral bio-pesticide ELAP fellowship and a plant physiology CONICET fellowship as part of her PhD work. She is embedded with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology.

  • Butch is a veteran executive with a background in developing the assets and creating value for startup companies and successfully selling businesses in highly technical industries. Former roles include President, Talon Aerospace; VP Operations of Jemison Dempsey Metals; and President, U.S. Clay (sodium bentonite mining). Butch has +30 years of experience managing complex operational scale up projects and expertise in implementing highly controlled processes and quality management systems.

  • Bill studied Biochemistry at Florida State University and structural virology at UAB. He has strong interests in regenerative agriculture and soil microbiology.

  • Erin is the CFO of Chonex. Prior to her role here she was CFO of Omega Realty Group and CS Equities. She assisted Omega Realty Group in expanding their portfolio from ~150 to ~1750 properties. Prior to this role, she worked at Revere Control Systems, managing all matters related to purchasing & inventory, financial reporting, and budgeting. She is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Chartered Global Management Accountant, and Certified Information Technology Professional.

  • Charles Snipes grew up in a family-owned fertilizer and feed business in West Central Alabama. He received his B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Agronomy and Soils from Auburn University. He then earned his Ph.D. in Weed Science from Mississippi State University. He was hired by Mississippi State after his graduation and served in a 100% research appointment in cotton weed control and harvest aid research for 25 years. Upon retirement from Mississippi State University, he entered full time into a contract research business that he founded in 1987. There he directed research in cotton, corn, soybeans, rice, grain sorghum, peanuts and specialty crops comprising over 150+ trials each year while serving as Chief Financial Officer and Business Manager.

  • Aaron is a veteran marketing and sale executive in the agriculture industry with over 40+ years of agriculture experience. He has led product & brand management, market development, sales management, and distribution & logistics at a variety of companies including Farmland Industries, CIBA Geigy-Syngenta, Regal Chemicals, ProGro Solutions. He has also founded two manufacturing and distribution companies.

  • Lori studied entomology at Cornell University and completed a Master's in Entomology at LSU. She has worked on several projects involving black soldier fly larvae and insect mass-rearing.

ADVISORS

 

  • Allen is a sixth-generation farmer, expert and leader in the regenerative agriculture movement. He is a founding partner of Grass Fed Insights, LLC, Soil Health Academy, and Understanding Ag. He and his partners consult with more than 5,000 farmers and ranchers worldwide. His client portfolio includes nearly 32 million acres in the U.S. and 200 million acres worldwide transitioning to regenerative ag.

  • Pam Marrone is a successful bio-ag entrepreneur and advisor to bio-ag startups. She is the founder and former CEO of Marrone Bio Innovations (NASDQ MBII) as well as founder and former CEO of AgraQuest. She holds more than 400 patents and is the world’s most prolific developer of biopesticides.

  • Former Chair and President of The Mouat Company, Inc., a design-build industrial facility engineering firm. Brad has 50+ years of experience designing and constructing metal casting and mineral processing systems plants for some of the largest companies in the US.

  • Jim has served as a consultant to the Office of the President of the United States of America and a strategic advisor to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, as well as Coca-Cola, Turner Broadcasting, AT&T, HP, IBM and Siemens. He is the founder of SIBF and MELA and consults on leadership and strategy.

  • Sherman leads the world’s largest egg producer and partners with CHONEX to ensure its supply of layer chicken manure.

  • Ecovery is a non-ferrous scrap metal recycling company. In addition, Kevin has extensive experience in manufacturing and process development, having designed and built Procell Decking Systems LLC, which was sold to CPG International. He and his family own the second largest John Deere distributor in the United States.