Executive Team

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Investment Team

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Farmland Team

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Production Team

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Advisors

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Justin Kirchhoff

Chief Executive Officer

Justin Kirchhoff is the Chief Executive Officer of Summit Agricultural Group. Mr. Kirchhoff was previously the President of Summit Ag Investors, which primarily deploys capital across the agriculture and renewable energy industries in both the United States and Brazil. He co-founded and currently serves on the boards of FS Bioenergia, a Brazilian low-carbon biofuels company, Summit Carbon Solutions, a carbon capture and sequestration platform in the upper Midwest, and Amber Wave, a Kansas-based wheat protein and low-carbon biofuels company. He previously served on the board of Iowa Premium, LLC, an Iowa-based beef processing company.

In 2019, he was appointed by Governor Reynolds to the IPERS Investment Board, which is responsible for investment and oversight of Iowa state pension assets, where he served as Chairman. Prior to joining Summit in 2012, he was with Aviva Investors North America. He grew up on a farm in Southwest Iowa and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from Iowa State University, where he is a member of the Ivy College of Business Finance and Executive MBA Advisory Councils. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Iowa.

Eric Peterson

President & Chief Operating Officer

Eric Peterson is President and Chief Operating Officer of Summit Agricultural Group and is responsible for overall management of the group’s businesses of farm operations, agricultural investment funds, and farm management services.

Eric started with Summit in 2007 and oversaw growth in the farming operation – row crop, cattle production, and swine finishing. In 2010 Summit’s first investment fund was launched, dedicated to Midwestern farm land, leading to the creation of additional funds investing in livestock facilities, farmland in Brazil, and that country’s first modern corn ethanol plant.

In 2011 Governor Branstad appointed him to the Iowa Finance Authority, the state’s housing and finance agency. He currently serves on the Iowa State University College of Agriculture Advisory Board and in 2015, he was named a 40 under 40 by Vance Publishing, publisher of Farm Journal. Eric was raised on his family’s farm near Fargo, North Dakota. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business.

Kirk Beaubien

Managing Director, US Real Estate

As a Managing Director and Head of U.S. Real Estate, Kirk Beaubien is responsible for management of the day-to-day activities of Summit Ag Fund and its related entities. Prior to his current role, he served as an acquisition manager at Principal Real Estate Investors, where he was responsible for acquisitions/dispositions of commercial real estate properties in the state of California. He has also worked in the Cedar Rapids branch of U.S. Bank, serving as a portfolio manager in its commercial real estate group. He is a native of Denison, Iowa, and received bachelor’s degrees in both finance and real estate from the University of Northern Iowa, and a MBA with emphasis in finance from the University of Nebraska.

Ashley Silvey

Human Resources Manager

Ashley Silvey is the Human Resources Manager at Summit Agricultural Group. In her role, she primarily focuses on benefits administration, payroll management, recruitment, compliance, and employer-employee relations.

Jacob Lauritson

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Lauritson is the Chief Financial Officer for Summit Agricultural Group and is primarily responsible for financial analysis and planning, in addition to reporting for various fund and portfolio investments both domestically and abroad. He has been closely involved from a financial analysis and structuring perspective in a number of portfolio investments, most recently FS Bioenergia. In addition to these responsibilities, he serves as the compliance officer for all aspects of fund operations. Prior to joining Summit in 2014, he was an auditor with Deloitte & Touche with a concentration in the financial services industry. He grew up in North Iowa and graduated with a master’s degree in accounting from Iowa State University. He holds a Certified Public Accountant License in Iowa (inactive) and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants.

J.D. Schlieman

Operating Partner

J.D. Schlieman joined Summit Agricultural Group in 2018 and now works as an Operating Partner. Schlieman’s responsibilities will initially include relationship management with potential portfolio companies. In addition, he will spend significant time evaluating potential investments and serving as a resource to executive teams within the fund, utilizing his deep industry expertise from both a financial and operational perspective. Schlieman’s experience includes serving as chief financial officer (CFO) at Heartland Pork and most recently as CFO, and eventually president, of Hawkeye Renewables.

Bill Kourakos

Partner

Bill Kourakos is a Partner at Summit Ag and is focused on Summit’s Next Gen SAF project and various other initiatives at the firm. Bill has 40 years of management and investment experience in investment management, global capital markets, and corporate finance. Formerly, he was a Founding Partner of Perella Weinberg Partners (PWP) in New York, where he oversaw its $12.5 billion asset management business and was a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Before PWP, Bill served as a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and led various of the company’s capital markets and fixed-income businesses. He is a Council on Foreign Relations member and actively supports several non-profit organizations. He graduated with a BA from the University of Maine and earned an MBA from George Washington University while working in the US Senate. He is an aviation enthusiast and an instrument-rated pilot.

Dr. Dhamu Thamodaran

Strategic Partner

Dr. Dhamu Thamodaran, PhD retired as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Commodity Hedging Officer from Smithfield Foods, Inc. in December 2020, having served in this role since 2016. Dr. Thamodaran joined Smithfield Foods in 1995 as Director of Price Risk Management. Prior to joining Smithfield Foods, he had related industry experience with John Morrell Food Group and Farmland Foods, which later became part of the Smithfield Foods family. Dr. Thamodaran earned his PhD in agricultural economics, summa cum laude, from Iowa State University in 1983, and his master’s degree in agricultural economics and statistics in 1980 from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. He currently serves as a Director on the board of StoneX and advises numerous other companies on commodities and strategy.

Jon Probst

Managing Director

Mr. Probst is a Managing Director with Summit Ag Investors and is focused on the firm’s private equity investment platform, Summit Ag Opportunities, which deploys capital across the agriculture and renewable energy industries. He currently serves on the board of GMT Corporation, an Iowa-based manufacturing company. Previously, Mr. Probst was a Senior Associate with Trammell Crow Company, a commercial real estate development and investment firm, and a Senior Analyst with Pavilion Advisory Group, where he evaluated private investment opportunities. Mr. Probst grew up on his family’s farm near Alton, Iowa, and earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Texas. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations.

Abby Blome

Assistant Controller

Abby Blome is an Assistant Controller for Summit Ag Investors. Abby is primarily responsible for financial reporting for fund investments both domestically and abroad. She also manages fund administration and investor relations. Prior to joining Summit in 2010, Abby was a tax associate with Ernst & Young. She holds a Certified Public Accountant License in Iowa (inactive). She was raised on her family’s farm in Central Iowa and earned both her bachelor and master’s degrees in accounting from Iowa State University.

Izak Christensen

Senior Associate

As an associate on the investment team, Izak Christensen focuses on diligence, financial modeling, and review of potential portfolio investments. Prior to joining Summit Agricultural Group in 2018, Izak completed various internships in commodity merchandising and renewable fuels. Izak was raised on a diversified farming operation near Riceville in Northeast Iowa before attending Iowa State University for bachelors’ degrees in agricultural business and agronomy. In addition to his undergraduate studies, Izak completed his MBA with an emphasis in finance from the Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Iowa.

Mathias Peters

Market Intelligence Manager

Mathias Peters serves as the Business Development Manager for Summit Agricultural Group in Brazil, based in Lucas do Rio Verde, Mato Grosso. He supports all of Summit’s Brazilian investments and analyzes trends and opportunities in Brazil and U.S. markets to identify areas for potential investment or strategic integration. Before joining Summit, Mathias held roles at Vermeer Corporation and KG MarketSense. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University and grew up near Bellevue, Iowa, on a diversified crop and beef cattle operation. Mathias has professional working proficiency in Brazilian Portuguese.

Rafael Abud

General Manager - Brazil

Rafael Abud is currently responsible for project development and management of all ventures under the management of Summit Agricultural Group in Brazil, where he is primarily responsible for the operation of farmland holdings and renewable energy ventures. Rafael has 10 years of experience in the agribusiness and renewable energy industries. Prior to joining Summit, he founded Bio Ventures Brazil, where he led the development of projects in biodiesel production and processing technology, biomass-based electricity generation, production of energy crops and aviation biofuels.

Eli Dail

Investment Analyst

As an analyst on the investment team, Eli Dail focuses on market research, presentation material, and financial modeling. Eli is a 2024 graduate from The University of Iowa where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in business and was a member of the Hawkinson Institute. Prior to joining the team full-time in 2024, Eli was an intern for two years with Summit Agricultural Group and focused on Summit’s newest project, Summit Next Gen.

Joel Waskow

Accredited Farm Manager, Real Estate Broker

Joel joined the Summit team in 2014 and as an Accredited Farm Manager (AFM). His primary duty is professional farm management. Joel has been professionally managing farms across the mid-west for 10 years. Prior to joining the Summit team, he was employed by Hertz Farm Management, Inc., serving clients in the central Iowa region. Joel grew up on a family farm in Northeast Iowa, near Dunkerton. He received a degree in agricultural business and a minor in agronomy from Iowa State University. Joel is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFRMA.) He serves landowners and farm operators in our southern and eastern regions.

Justin Bahr

Accredited Farm Manager, Real Estate Broker

Justin joined the Summit team in 2022. His primary responsibility is professional farm management. Justin has professionally managed farms since 2016 and holds an Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). Prior to joining Summit, Justin worked at Hertz Farm Management managing the Mankato, Minnesota office. Justin started managing farms out of the Cedar Falls, Iowa Hertz location, before his transition to Mankato. His management experience spans across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Justin graduated from Iowa State University in May of 2016 with a B.S. in Agricultural Business and International Agriculture and a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies. Justin grew up in North Central Iowa near Buckeye.

Austin Kessler

Land Acquisition Business Development Specialist

Austin joined the Summit team in 2016 with his primary duties being acquisitions/depositions of farmland assets across the Midwest. Austin was raised on a diversified farm in East Central Iowa where he continues to participate in his family’s operation. He received a Bachelors’ Degree in Agricultural Business and Agronomy from Iowa State University. Prior to joining the Summit team, he was employed by Dow Agrosciences in Central Iowa as an Associate Territory Manager. Austin is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Iowa who has bought and sold over $100 million in farmland assets for clients across the Midwest.

Collin Swenson

Land Acquisition Business Development Specialist

Collin joined the Summit team in 2017 as an Acquisition Specialist. His primary duty is acquiring farmland in Iowa and Minnesota. Prior to joining the Summit team, he was employed by Farm Bureau in West Des Moines as an Asset Manager. Collin grew up on a family farm in North Central Iowa just outside of Williams where he continues to participate in his family row-crop operation. He received degrees in Finance and Supply Chain Management from Iowa State University. Collin is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Iowa and Minnesota with his acquisition territory being Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota.

Mitch Baum

Business Development Manager

As the business development manager at Summit Agricultural Group, Mitch Baum’s responsibilities include land acquisitions, sales and trades, livestock facility development and contract management, internship recruiting, and operational support. Prior to joining the team at Summit in 2005, he worked with Smithfield Foods as a territory manager for Murphy-Brown, LLC in Iowa and Illinois. Mitch was raised in Henry County, Illinois, on a grain and livestock farm, and later attended Iowa State University majoring in agricultural business.

Brian Schreck

Facilities and Maintenance Manager

Brian Schreck is the facilities and maintenance manager at Summit Agricultural Group. He oversees all livestock confinements, and directs all maintenance, capital improvements, grounds-keeping and environmental operations. Part of the Summit team since 2005, Brian brings twenty-five years’ experience in agricultural management, transportation and maintenance. A native of Guthrie Center, Iowa, Brian now resides in Ames with his wife and two sons.

Kevin Archer

Swine Production Manager

Kevin joined the Summit Agricultural Group in 2020 as the Swine Production Manager. His primary duties are to coordinate and oversee the swine facilities labor and expenses. Kevin was raised on a small farm in Northwest Missouri before receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science at Northwest Missouri State University. Prior to Summit, Kevin has 15 years of management experience in the Swine Industry. He now lives in Iowa Falls, IA with his wife and 3 children.

Josh Hobson

Cattle Manager

Josh Hobson is the cattle manager at Summit Ag Group. Josh’s responsibilities include overseeing the cow/calf and feedlot operations. Josh was raised on row crop and livestock farm near Eldora, IA. He attended Iowa State University receiving a degree in Animal Science. He now resides in Eldora with his wife and four children.

Scott Jacobsen

Environmental Manager

As the Environmental Manager, Scott Jacobsen’s responsibilities include overseeing the manure management plan compliance, coordinating environment operations, and managing the Conservation Reserve Program contacts and maintenance. Scott was raised on a grain and livestock farming operation near Sac City, Iowa. After receiving a degree in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University, Scott joined the Summit team in 2010. He now resides in Webster City with his wife and three kids.

Bill Laverack

Senior Advisor

Mr. Laverack is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Laverack Capital Partners, a private investment firm. Previously, Mr. Laverack was a Managing Partner of J.H. Whitney & Co., a Managing Director at Gleacher & Co., a Principal and original member of the private equity group at Morgan Stanley & Co., and an officer at Morgan Guaranty Trust Company. Mr. Laverack has served on the boards of directors of numerous private and public companies. Mr. Laverack currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Choate Rosemary Hall; the National Advisory Board of DukeEngage, Duke University’s undergraduate civic engagement program; the Parents’ Committee of the University of Virginia; and the Leadership Council of AmeriCares. He is a former long-standing Trustee and Board President of New Canaan Country School. Mr. Laverack holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an A.B., cum laude, from Harvard College.

Harry Stine

Senior Industry Advisor

Mr. Stine is the CEO of Stine Seed Company, the largest independent seed company in the United States and the largest private seed company in the world. Stine Seed provides producers industry-leading corn and soybean genetics. Today approximately 60% of all U.S. soybean acres are planted with seeds utilizing genetics developed by Stine Seed, in addition to a significant presence in South America and other international markets. Mr. Stine has been a leading innovator in many areas of seed genetics, including most recently the utilization of high-population corn genetics.

Harry Stine is synonymous with many titles – innovator, businessman, entrepreneur – but the title holding the most significance to him is farmer. Raised on the family property in Dallas County, Iowa, Harry graduated from Central Dallas High School and then McPherson College in Kansas. Mr. Stine is a member of the American Society of Agronomy and the American Seed Trade Association. He also serves on the board of directors of the Trees Forever Foundation (Trustees Emeritus). In addition, Mr. Stine has been honored by numerous organizations for his contributions in the business community and beyond including an induction into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame and a member of the Forbes 400 list.

Emil Henry

Senior Advisor

Emil W. Henry, Jr., Founder and CEO of Tiger Infrastructure Partners, is a recognized leader and innovator in private equity and public policy. Building on a decades-long track record in high-profile government and private-sector roles, Emil launched Tiger in 2010 to provide transformational growth capital to enable the infrastructure of tomorrow. Since then, Tiger and its partners have deployed billions of dollars to develop, construct, and operate new and next generation infrastructure across the Digital Infrastructure, Energy Transition and Transportation sectors in North America and Europe.

In 2005, Emil was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. In this capacity, he oversaw the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection, where he identified the vast unmet need for private investment to create and enhance America’s infrastructure. To capitalize on this market opportunity, he joined Lehman Brothers upon leaving government in 2007. As Global Head of Lehman’s infrastructure private equity business, he assembled the core team that is today responsible for managing Tiger’s infrastructure funds.

From 1990 until he entered government in 2005, Emil was a Partner and Managing Director with Gleacher Partners. As Chairman of Asset Management, he led the firm’s expansion into a sophisticated array of innovative alternative investments from its initial industry-leading M&A focus. Previously, he was a member of Morgan Stanley’s private equity group.

Emil holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics, cum laude, from Yale University. He is member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is currently the Chairman of the Sunlight Financial board and serves on the boards of Tiger portfolio companies 11:11 Systems, American Natural, Danskammer, Forsa Energy, Granite Comfort, Modern Aviation, NorthLink Aviation, Qwello, SmartSky Networks, Strategic Venue Partners, Summit Brazil Renewables and Summit Carbon Solutions. He also serves on the boards of Colonnade Acquisition Corp. II, Easterly Government Properties, and Arrowmark. Previously, Emil represented the U.S. Treasury on the boards of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and the National Gallery of Art.

Marc Blair

Senior Industry Advisor

Marc Blair is a Senior Managing Director and the COO of Tiger Infrastructure. He has been a member of the Tiger Partners Infrastructure team since the firm’s inception. Marc was previously a member of the Lehman Brothers’ infrastructure private equity team. Prior to that, he served as a Managing Director in the Lehman Brothers Natural Resources Group and as a credit officer with Christiania Bank. Marc serves on the boards of American Natural, Danskammer, Granite Comfort, NorthLink Aviation, Strategic Venue Partners, and is a board observer at Sunlight Financial, Summit Carbon Solutions and Summit Brazil Renewables. He holds a BA in International Affairs from Colgate and an MBA with High Honors from the University of Chicago.

Dermot Hayes

Senior Advisor

Dermot Hayes is the Pioneer Hi-Bred International Chair in Agribusiness, professor of economics, and professor of finance at Iowa State University. He is co-director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at Iowa State. He has distinguished himself with many awards at the college and university levels for his work as a teacher and researcher. In 2006 he received a “Publication of Enduring Quality” award from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. AAEA named him a Fellow in 2007, its highest recognition for distinction in the discipline. Besides his analysis of U.S. farm policy and international agricultural trade, his other research interests include food safety, livestock modeling, demand analysis, and commodity markets. Since 1995 he has been a consulting trade economist for the National Pork Producers Association.

Henrique Ubrig

Senior Advisor

Mr. Ubrig is a Brazilian citizen and experienced international executive with expertise in a number of industries including large-scale agribusiness and renewable energy production. He spent a total of 27 years with DuPont in various roles and is currently the CEO of Terasol Energy. During his 27 years at DuPont, Mr. Ubrig held a number of leadership positions within the company, including President of DuPont South America (1996-2003) and President of DuPont South Asia (2004-2005). In addition, Mr. Ubrig became the first Brazilian citizen to hold the position of CFO for DuPont’s South American operations. He also serves on the boards of several for-profit and nonprofit organizations in Brazil.

Our Team

Executive Team

Bruce Rastetter