4 minutes with…Rob Yenne, President, Peloton Technologies

Tell us about your organization and it’s role in the advanced bioeconomy.

Peloton Technologies, LLC specializes in technologies for the production of bio-based fermentable sugars, advanced transportation fuels and biopolymer monomers used in the production of biosynthetic rubber.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

My primary role as president of the company is to drive technology development and commercialization forward. Liquid fuels remain essential to the US transportation energy infrastructure. Cars, trucks, ships, and aircraft rely on the high energy density of liquid fuels to perform at optimal levels. Chemicals, both commodity and specialty, and polymers are key components of the many commercial, industrial, and consumer products used here and worldwide on a daily basis. All of these are currently highly dependent on the precarious supply of petroleum. Peloton believes in an “all of the above” approach and fully supports domestic oil and gas production, but limited and finite access to these traditional sources, environmental and economic imperatives, and national security concerns mean supply must be addressed by developing alternatives to petroleum-based products.

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?

Producing next generation energy and chemicals requires novel (but practical) technologies, sustainable and accessible feedstocks, and efficient production methods. When the industry can demonstrate and communicate these as realities, we will have reached a major milestone. Until then, critics have a foundation on which to strike from.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change?

Reluctance is always a major challenge and certainly reluctance of investors is tangible. Also, reluctance of government, industry, and the public to realize that complex technologies aren’t developed overnight, and to thwart development in low demand times will find us fruitlessly scurrying to expedite product in high demand times.

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you.

I’m a firm believer in autonomy and minimizing dependence on others for basic needs such as energy and other items crucial for stability and basic survival. Worldwide biomass resources are ubiquitous and Peloton’s technologies can be deployed accordingly to assist countries in becoming more independent and economically viable.

Where are you from? 

I am from the great state of Ohio and love the people and doing business there.

What was your undergraduate major in college, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway? 

I love to hike and listen to live music.

What 3 books would you take to read, if stranded on a desert island?

I’m a big Michael Crichton fan, so any three of his books are fine with me

What books or articles are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?

Who has time to read?

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?

I don’t really prefer visiting cities so much as small towns. The journey is often as fun or better than the destination, so we often drive to places. I really enjoy historical sites, small mountain towns, and others with historical significance are what I gravitate towards.