Jeff Broin

Jeff Broin
Born (1965-08-25) August 25, 1965
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin
EmployerPOET
TitleChairman and CEO, POET Board member, Growth Energy

Jeff Broin (born August 25, 1965) is the founder of POET, LLC, a leading producer of biofuels and coproducts. He currently serves as chairman and CEO.[1]

Life and career

Broin's family ran a farm in Minnesota. In the early 1980s, Broin's father began producing ethanol on the farm. In 1987, he mortgaged the farm to purchase an ethanol plant in Scotland, South Dakota, and put Jeff in charge of managing it. Jeff became the CEO of Broin Companies, and in 2007 renamed it to POET. It is now the world's largest biofuel producer, with 34 plants.[2]

Broin advocates for the biofuels industry. He founded and serves on the board of Growth Energy,[3] the leading biofuel trade association in the country.

In 2023, Jeff Broin joined Richard Childress as co-owner of the Carolina Cowboys, a Professional Bull Riding team.[4]

Awards and recognition

  • 2017 recipient of the George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology. This award honors and recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to building a biobased economy by applying industrial biotechnology to create environmentally sustainable products.[5]
  • 2017 inductee into the South Dakota Hall of Fame.[6]
  • 2017 recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from South Dakota State University.[7]
  • Keynote speaker at the 2018 Biotech Innovation Showcase.[8]
  • Keynote speaker at the 2018 University of South Dakota Distinguished Speaker Series.[9]
  • Global Bioeconomy Leadership Award [10]
  • Fortune's 2019 "Change the World" List [11]
  • Fast Company's 2019 "World's Most Innovative Companies" [12]
  • 2020 American Biofuels Visionary Award [13]

Health and Wellness Initiatives

POET places an emphasis on fitness and nutrition programs for its employees, offering exercise rooms, on-site health screenings, yearly blood and biometric screenings, and one-on-one health consultations.[14]

Philanthropy

In addition to many personal philanthropic endeavors, POET donates to local and national causes throughout its footprint.[15] Some supported U.S. projects include Make-A-Wish, Children's Home Society, 4-H, and FFA, among many others.[16] POET annually contributes to its local communities through Community Impact Grants. In 2024, these totaled $629,000.[17]

In 2012, Broin and his wife, Tammie, founded the international non-profit Seeds of Change.[18] Current projects include Mission Grow, which spreads agriculture technology by working with millions of farmers in over 18 countries;[19] Mission Hope, an initiative to support vulnerable youth by building schools, improving education, providing resources, and feeding students in places including Kenya and Uganda;[20] and Mission Thrive, which focuses on projects such as construction of clinics, potable water development, and health and nutrition education in countries Nigeria, Madagascar, El Salvador, and South Sudan.[21]

In 2019, POET announced a $2 million gift for construction of the Raven Precision Agriculture facility at South Dakota State University, citing SDSU's increasing commitment to precision agriculture as an important venture.[22] POET also gifted $5 million toward the POET Bioproducts Center, a first-of-its-kind research center at SDSU, which opened in October 2023.[23]

Personal life

Jeff Broin grew up near Kenyon, MN. He holds a degree in Agricultural Business from University of Wisconsin and is husband of over 27 years to his wife, Tammie, and father to three children - Alyssa, Miranda, and Austin.[24]

References

  1. ^ "Jeff Broin resumes role as POET CEO - POET". poet.com. Retrieved 2016-11-16.
  2. ^ Kavilanz, Parija (9 July 2019). "His family farm was failing. Now he runs the world's largest biofuel producer". CNN.
  3. ^ "Jeff Broin - Growth Energy - Meet the Team". Growth Energy. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  4. ^ Newby, John (2023-01-06). "Richard Childress Doubles Down on Move Into PBR". Heavy Sports. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  5. ^ "BIO Congratulates POET Founder Jeff Broin on 2017 George Washington Carver Award". BIOtechNow. 2017-05-25. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  6. ^ "Jeff Broin - SDHoF". sdexcellence.org. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  7. ^ "POET CEO Jeff Broin Receives Honorary Doctorate from South Dakota State University". Vital by POET. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  8. ^ "Partnering For Growth: Biotech Innovation Showcase & Forum | ISU Research Park". www.isupark.org. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  9. ^ "Strategic partnership helps POET, USD meet needs". SiouxFalls.Business. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  10. ^ "Global Bioeconomy Leadership Award presented to Jeff Broins, CEO of POET – BIOWIRE". Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  11. ^ "Change the World". Fortune. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  12. ^ "Poet: Most Innovative Company". Fast Company. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  13. ^ photoCaption, Provided. "POET's Jeff Broin named the American Biofuels Visionary by Growth Energy". www.agrinews-pubs.com. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  14. ^ "First Look: The Importance of Wellness". Vital by POET. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  15. ^ "Outreach - POET". poet.com. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  16. ^ "Jeff Broin - SDHoF". sdexcellence.org. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  17. ^ Candid. "Article". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  18. ^ "Seeds of Change". Vital by POET. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  19. ^ "Mission Grow – Seeds of Change". Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  20. ^ "Mission Hope". Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  21. ^ "Mission Thrive – Seeds of Change". Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  22. ^ "POET commits $2 million toward construction of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center".
  23. ^ "POET Bioproducts Center officially opens with ribbon-cutting ceremony | South Dakota State University". www.sdstate.edu. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  24. ^ "Keynote Speaker Biography". ssl1.gmti.com. Retrieved 2016-11-16.

[1] McElroy, Anduin Kirkbride (May 22, 2007) A Poetic Journey Ethanol Producer Magazine [2] Growth Energy Leadership and Board of Directors Retrieved Oct. 7, 2011 [3] Dolan, Kerry A. (Nov. 24, 2008) Mr. Ethanol Fights Back Forbes [4] ACORE Phase II of Renewable Energy in America National Policy Forum Speakers Retrieved Oct. 10, 2011 [5] Winchester, Cody (Sept. 26,2011) Poet hails $105 million loan guarantee Argus Leader [6] POET (Sept. 23, 2011) DOE grants final approval on POET cellulosic ethanol loan guarantee Retrieved Oct. 10, 2011

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