Our Values
Act With Integrity
Responsible Stewardship
Winning Together
Commitment To Excellence
We’re committed to becoming the leading provider of industrial anaerobic digestion facilities in the U.S., building on BTS Italy’s proven technology and expertise. We act with integrity, choose ethical partners, and lead with honesty and fairness, always doing what’s right.
Nick Thomas, CEO
Appointed in 2024, Nick Thomas serves as Chief Executive Officer at BTS Bioenergy. With over 25 years of transformative industry experience, he has a strong background in engineering and served as Chairman and CEO of Meritage Midstream Services ll, LLC, orchestrating a $885 million sale to Western Midstream. Mr. Thomas co-founded Meritage Midstream Services III, LLC, leading as President and COO and positioning the company as a leading provider of crude oil, natural gas, and water infrastructure solutions in northwest Alberta Montney.
Known for his transparent and integrity-driven leadership, Mr. Thomas has a successful track record of creating value for stakeholders in the energy and petrochemical industries. He is dedicated to achieving excellence in every endeavor and his leadership ethos firmly establishes him as a respected and influential figure in his industry. Outside of work, Mr. Thomas enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in outdoor activities such as mountain biking, heli-skiing, and fly fishing.
Mike Woodward, President
Michael Woodward is a seasoned energy executive with over 20 years of experience in natural gas infrastructure, holding key roles in accounting, finance, marketing, and business development. Recently, he played a pivotal role in the $885 million sale of Meritage Midstream and led negotiations for a groundbreaking $250 million revenue guarantee contract. Recognized as one of Hart Energy Oil and Gas Investor magazine’s “40 under 40” in 2020, his strategic insight and negotiation skills have resulted in over $1.0 billion in long-term commercial contracts.
As President of BTS Bioenergy, Mr. Woodward will leverage his industry knowledge and proven leadership to drive strategic growth and ensure long-term success. His dedication to the renewable energy sector will propel the company’s mission to advance sustainable energy solutions.
Jason Meek, Chief Financial Officer
Jason Meek is a seasoned energy finance executive with over 32 years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining BTS Bioenergy, he served as the Chief Financial Officer at PurposeEnergy, successfully overseeing various aspects of the company’s operations and contributing to its initial growth and strategic direction.
With a background in investment and corporate banking, Mr. Meek has executed transactions exceeding $13 billion and generated over $200 million in gross fee income throughout his career. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Houston, showcasing his strong educational background and expertise in the field.
Mr. Meek is married to his beautiful wife and together they have three wonderful adult children.
Christine McKiernan, Chief Technical Officer
Christine McKiernan has more than 30 years of experience in the renewable energy and waste recovery industry. Prior to joining BTS Bioenergy, she led project development efforts for organics recovery projects in the US for SUEZ North America and served as vice president of technology and development for BIOFermTM Energy Systems, leading a multinational team in waste-to-energy process development.
Mrs. McKiernan’s experience includes designing, constructing, and operating anaerobic, aerobic, waste, and gas treatment projects serving clients in industrial and municipal markets, handling wastes as varied as manures, biosolids, MSW, and a wide range of food processing residues.
As Chief Technical Officer, Mrs. McKiernan will laser-focus on all technical aspects of engineering and construction related to our current operating facilities and future growth projects.
Dain Santarelli, Chief Operating Officer
Dain Santarelli is an accomplished leader in the energy industry with over a decade of experience in operations, project management, and engineering roles. As Chief Operating Officer of BTS Bioenergy, he drives strategic initiatives, optimizes operations, and leads cross-functional teams to successfully deliver complex infrastructure projects in the renewable energy sector.
Prior to his role at BTS Bioenergy, Mr. Santarelli served as Vice President & General Manager for Powder River Basin Operations at Meritage Midstream Services, where he led a team through the $885 million sale of the company to Western Midstream in 2023. With a background in engineering and project management at companies like Williams and Enerflex Ltd.,
Mr. Santarelli is a proven leader capable of driving organizational growth and efficiency while upholding the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.
Richard Gognat, Chief Legal Officer
Richard J. Gognat brings over 35 years of extensive legal and business experience to his role as Chief Legal Officer at BTS Bioenergy. With a deep background in finance, mergers and acquisitions, and energy, Mr. Gognat has been instrumental in managing strategic transactions, compliance, and regulatory matters.
Most recently, Mr. Gognat served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary at Meritage Midstream Services II, LLC, where he played a crucial role in closing over $2 billion in M&A, private equity, and credit facility transactions. Mr. Gognat has also held senior positions at High Sierra Energy, LP, and SandRidge Energy, Inc., contributing over $5 billion in capital markets and M&A transactions.
Mr. Gognat holds a Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law and a B.S. in Business Administration from Regis University. His commitment to community service is reflected in his volunteer work as a mentor for the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business and his tenure as a board member of the American Heart Association of Oklahoma City.