It’s Not Plastic, It’s PlantSwitch

As Founder and CEO, Dillon drives PlantSwitch's vision of building the future of plastics. His notable accomplishments include Forbes 30 Under 30, National Merit Finalist, Poets and Quants Best and Brightest Business Major of 2020, and Division I Athletic & Academic Scholarships. Dillon played collegiate golf at SMU, where he graduated with a degree in Finance and Alternative Asset Management.

Maxime Blandin's journey is as diverse as his talents. Fueled by dreams of professional golf, he moved to the US from Martinique when he was 13 and soon earned a scholarship at Southern Methodist University, where he honed both his golfing skills and his academic prowess with a major in Economics. Post-college, Maxime took his talents to the European Tour, playing professional golf and building a global network. But it was his reunion with former teammate, Dillon, that marked the inception of PlantSwitch. Leveraging his extensive experience in distribution, Maxime plays an integral role in the company. His knack for sourcing strategic partners, securing investors, and connecting with customers ensures that PlantSwitch is not just innovative but also market-forward.

Wayne du Toit is a dynamic operations leader with a proven track record in transforming businesses and driving growth. With expertise in setting up new manufacturing and aftermarket businesses across multiple regions, Wayne has scaled the global operations of numerous organizations. His 12 years in Asia honed his ability to build international partnerships and grow operations significantly, supporting over $150M in business growth. Known for strategic and tactical leadership, Wayne excels in creating high-performing, accountable cultures worldwide.

Dr. Kris Haggard, with a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, leads product development for PlantSwitch. Specializing in polymer processing and formulations, his expertise is grounded in extensive industrial research and product development. At Beyond Meat, Kris led initiatives in plant protein texturization, contributing to the creation of innovative products like the award-winning steak alternative recognized by Time Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2022. His previous roles at Solvay Specialty Polymers and  Ingenia Polymers showcased his skills in technical marketing and product development, where he made significant advancements in polymer characterization and processing techniques. Kris’s approach combines a deep understanding of structure-property relationships with a commitment to sustainable and efficient manufacturing processes.

Dr. Bhagia, Senior Development Scientist at PlantSwitch, is renowned for his profound contributions to bioprocess technologies and biomass conversion. His expertise in biomacromolecules and renewable product development has established him as a leader in sustainable materials. Dr. Bhagia formerly led biocomposite research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and holds a PhD in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from UC Riverside. Having contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed papers, his prolific work in chemical and environmental engineering underscores his deep commitment to advancing the field of sustainable technology.

Len Poole's multifaceted experience across sales, marketing, engineering, and technical support positions him as a pivotal asset to the PlantSwitch team. Formerly the Global Sales Leader of Biopolymers at Celanese, Len brings a wealth of knowledge in biopolymer technology, backed by an educational foundation in plastic engineering and an MBA. His decades-long industry journey has honed his ability to drive sales and foster customer relationships, qualities that are invaluable as he leads PlantSwitch's sales initiatives and customer engagement strategies.

Jason Menendez, the Plant Manager at PlantSwitch, brings over 32 years of comprehensive experience in the plastics manufacturing industry. With a background that includes a focus on safety culture and excellence in plant process and production management, Jason is adept in both technical and leadership aspects of manufacturing. Prior to joining PlantSwitch, Jason was the Operations Manager at Borealis Compounds, where he oversaw site start-up, from construction to commissioning, and emphasized safety, operability, and quality in operations. Jason's extensive experience also includes positions in product and color development, process engineering, and quality management at companies like Washington Penn Plastic and Polycom Huntsman/Spartech. His skill set, enriched with expertise in SAP, production planning, and quality control, positions him as a key leader in PlantSwitch, driving manufacturing excellence and strategic growth.

Chad Mickles, with over 23 years in the plastics industry and an NC State Engineering degree, oversees injection molding operations at PlantSwitch. At CPP Global, one of the largest cosmetic packaging manufacturers in the US, he led process improvements and managed key departments, significantly reducing costs and enhancing production efficiency. An expert in injection molding , Chad's proficiency in process optimization and Six Sigma lean tools has driven substantial operational advancements.

Christopher Erdman is a Process Engineer at PlantSwitch, armed with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University. At The AZEK Company, he played a pivotal role in optimizing extrusion processes, overseeing equipment upgrades, and facilitating the introduction of new products. His tenure at Coperion Corporation as a Regional Sales Manager and Field Process Engineer showcased his ability to manage key accounts and enhance extrusion system operations. Christopher's technical skills extend to Solid Works, Auto-Cad, and MATLAB, enabling him to contribute significantly to process engineering projects at PlantSwitch. His expertise in process improvement, data management, and equipment maintenance underpins his approach to tackling complex engineering challenges.

Sydney Cole, an accomplished Development Scientist at PlantSwitch, is a recent graduate in Polymer Science and Engineering from The University of Southern Mississippi. At the NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers, she significantly contributed to the development of bio-sourced polyurethane networks, emphasizing sustainable synthetic pathways. Sydney's academic excellence is evident in her numerous accolades, including being a Barry M. Goldwater Scholar Nominee and a recipient of the Mississippi Eminent Scholar Grant. Her dedication to her field is further highlighted by her role as an Honors College Discovery Scholar and the awards she received, such as the CIEF Polymer Science and Engineering Scholarship Endowment.

Nicholas began his journey with our company as an intern in 2022, quickly proving to be an indispensable asset through his strategic networking, deep understanding of economic and financial systems, and expertise in finance and real estate. His education in Economics, Finance, and Computer Science from Southern Methodist University has equipped him with the analytical skills to identify and leverage new business opportunities, playing a critical role in our day-to-day operations and company growth. Nicholas's keen market insights, technical acumen, and passion for technology have made him a key player in enhancing client relations and operational dynamics, aligning closely with our company's core values and future success.

Christian Malcolm brings over 30 years of experience in packaging sales and product development. As Co-Founder of Fruit Pak and Founder of Malcolm Innovations, he has a proven track record of creating innovative packaging solutions, with over 200 million containers sold. Christian's expertise spans managing sales and product development at Cool-Pak/Bunzl and other prominent companies, driving significant revenue growth and developing key client relationships. His background in Business Administration from the University of Southern California underpins his strategic approach to business and product innovation.