Jeff Broin
Jeff Broin | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 25, 1965 Minnesota, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder, chairman, and CEO of POET, LLC |
Jeff Broin (born August 25, 1965) is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of POET, LLC, a prominent producer in the biofuels and coproducts sector.
Life and career
Originating from a farming family in Minnesota, Broin’s father initiated ethanol production during the early 1980s. In 1987, after his father secured financing by mortgaging their farm to purchase an ethanol facility in South Dakota, Jeff took over its management. He eventually assumed the role of CEO at Broin Companies and led its rebranding to POET in 2007. Currently, POET operates as the world’s largest biofuel manufacturer with 34 operational plants.
As a vocal supporter of the biofuels industry, Broin established Growth Energy and continues to serve on its board; this organization stands as the foremost biofuel trade association within the United States.
In 2023, Broin diversified his interests by becoming a co-owner of the Carolina Cowboys Professional Bull Riding team alongside Richard Childress.
Awards and recognition
- Recipient of the 2017 George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology, acknowledging contributions to advancing a biobased economy.
- Inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2017.
- Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from South Dakota State University in 2017.
- Delivered keynote addresses at the 2018 Biotech Innovation Showcase and served as Distinguished Speaker at the University of South Dakota.
- Honored with the Global Bioeconomy Leadership Award.
- Featured on Fortune's 2019 "Change the World" list.
- Listed among Fast Company's 2019 "World's Most Innovative Companies."
- Received the American Biofuels Visionary Award from Growth Energy in 2020.
Health and Wellness Initiatives
POET prioritizes workforce health by offering facilities such as fitness centers, conducting on-site medical screenings, providing yearly blood and biometric assessments, and delivering tailored health guidance.
Philanthropy
In addition to personal charitable efforts, POET actively supports various local and national organizations throughout its operational regions. U.S.-based beneficiaries include Make-A-Wish, Children's Home Society, 4-H, and FFA. In 2024, POET allocated $629,000 through Community Impact Grants.
In 2012, Jeff Broin and his wife Tammie founded Seeds of Change, an international non-profit organization. Its principal initiatives include Mission Grow—promoting agricultural innovation among millions of farmers across more than 18 countries; Mission Hope—improving education and nutrition for children in Kenya and Uganda; and Mission Thrive—focusing on healthcare clinics, access to clean water, and health education programs in Nigeria, Madagascar, El Salvador, and South Sudan.
In 2019, POET pledged $2 million toward establishing the Raven Precision Agriculture center at South Dakota State University (SDSU), underscoring SDSU’s expanding expertise in precision agriculture. Additionally, POET contributed $5 million to create the POET Bioproducts Center at SDSU, a cutting-edge research facility that commenced operations in October 2023.
Personal life
Jeff Broin was raised near Kenyon, MN and earned a degree in Agricultural Business from University of Wisconsin. He has been married to Tammie for more than 27 years and is a father to three children: Alyssa, Miranda, and Austin.