Welcome Jeff Vanderpool: Graphyte's EVP of Manufacturing & Operations

Jeff Vanderpool joined Graphyte at the end of 2024 and has hit the ground running! You can learn more about him and his goals for Graphyte below.

Why were you excited to join Graphyte?

Simplicity. The global need for large-scale, cost-effective carbon removal technologies is growing rapidly. Graphyte has already unlocked both of these key elements, and I’m excited to help scale that impact.

Looking ahead, we have to be honest—some industries will never fully decarbonize. Without affordable offsets or compliance policies, it’s too easy to keep kicking the can down the road. With Graphyte, we're making it so they can’t afford not to invest in the future today.

What about the technology motivates you?

There’s an abundance of biomass feedstock worldwide. Sawmills and agricultural production will always generate raw materials to house and feed us. But when excess feedstock isn’t used for its highest-value application, instead of reducing CO₂e, it becomes part of the emissions problem. Take rice hulls, for example—if we don’t put them to beneficial use today, nothing changes, and we stay on the same path. With Graphyte, we can shift the balance from negative to positive climate impact in real time.

How did you come to Graphyte?

I was born and raised in Pine Bluff and have spent 30 years working in heavy manufacturing—industries that contribute to emissions. In 2019, I moved into biomass and was immediately drawn to its potential. This is the work I want to invest the rest of my career in.

I’m also deeply involved in the local community, serving as the port authority chair for Jefferson County. The economic impact we can create here matters. Over the last 12 months, we’ve already generated 30 jobs just for the pilot stage. With the right team and market fit, we can ensure those jobs—and many more—exist well into the future.

You can get in touch with Jeff here.