Meet the Team
EnviroFlight is built on the passion of innovators, collaborators and scientists, forging unchartered ground in agricultural technologies. We’re researchers and technicians and creators discovering sustainable feed ingredients for animals everywhere, but most of all, we’re a dynamic team determined to create a better tomorrow, unified under a simple call to action: Bugs Feed The World!
Liz Koutsos, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
Build and work with an amazing team of innovators to launch an agribusiness that will have significant global societal impacts!
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
Flexibility, attention to detail, project management, and passion for my job!
What do you like about working at EnviroFlight?
The diversity of issues we get to address each day – defining and optimizing systems and processes, developing new products and new markets, educating consumers, supporting novel research programs, and so many more. The diversity of talent that is needed to make this successful allows me to never stop learning and have fun at the same time.
The best piece of advice I've ever been given is … It’s better to be the hardest worker than to be the smartest person in the room.
Carrie Kuball, M.S.
VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
I manage the sales and marketing division and grow the BSFL channel for all markets.
It's not unusual for me to wear many hats because we are a small-ish company (growing fast). Some days I am troubleshooting in areas outside of sales and marketing.
Name three words that you describe you.
Genuine, Visionary, Passionate
What do you like about working at EnviroFlight?
We are part of the solution for feeding a growing world population by producing sustainable insect protein in a socially responsible way.
Every day is a different challenge!
The best piece of advice I've ever been given is …
“We can’t solve problems with the same creative thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein
Jonathan Bonilla
GENERAL MANAGER, MAYSVILLE KY PLANT
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
As GM, I work with a dedicated and amazing group of people that are working to create the best products available for our customers.
Name three words that you describe you.
Problem solver, Dependable, Loyal
What do you like about working at EnviroFlight?
Repurposing waste streams and producing a protein source to feed an ever increasing global population.
The best peice of advice I've been given is ...
Only thing you can ask for is an opportunity. It's up to you what you do with it.
Dan Black
INNOVATION CENTER PLANT MANAGER, APEX NC
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
I manage the R&D facility. Plan and schedule trials and make sure we have all the ingredients on hand to start a trial at any time.
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
I'm an excellent communicator. I think everyone should be on the same page, and the only way to do that is to have an open door of communication. Also, I'm
What do you like about working at EnviroFlight?
I love the environment and the team we have built. We all get along really well, which makes for an easy, stress-free work environment.
The best piece of advice I've ever been given is …
“It’s not how you stand by your car; it’s how you race your car.”
Elida Espinoza, Ph.D.
ENTOMOLOGIST, GENETICS
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
I lead the Basic R&D and Genetics Program, developing molecular biology protocols and experiments to analyze DNA, genomic sequences, and gene expression in black soldier fly individuals and populations. Alongside my research team, we conduct experiments related to the efficient rearing of black soldier fly larvae, studying breeding strategies using phenotype and genotype-based approaches.
Name three words that describe you.
Contemplative, Clever, Persevering
What do you like about working at EnviroFlight?
So many things! But ultimately, the goals and purpose that drives the company, namely, environmental sustainability for a better world via agriculture and biotech. And the leadership, in terms of action and people, that guide the achievements of EnviroFlight and the insects-as-food-and-feed industry.
The best piece of advice I've ever been given is …
Recently, “Cada cabeza es un mundo” which is a common Spanish proverb meaning “Every head is a world.” Speaks to understanding others and empathizing with the unique perspective each person has.
Aline Spindola, Ph.D.
ENTOMOLOGIST, BIOLOGY
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
Being part of the Applied R&D program as the Animal Biology program leader, my main goal is create S.M.A.R.T solutions for every phase of the black soldier fly lifecycle that are cost-efficient and suitable for manufacturing.
Name three words that describe you.
Resilient, Passionate, Ingenuity
What do you like about working at EnviroFlight?
I go to work every day with fabulous professionals, from the maufacturing plant to the Applied and Basic R&D programs, who wake up in the morning knowing their daily actions are going to make a difference in our global mission of producing environment-friendly animal feed.
The best piece of advice I've ever been given is …
"It's vital to diminish the distance between what is said and what is done, so that, at a given moment, your speech is your practice ′′ Paulo Freire, Educator and philosopher from Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Daniel Adams, PhD
RESEARCH IMMUNOLOGY
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
I work with testing our products in animal markets (swine, poultry, aquaculture, etc.), specifically targeting any value added or health/ immunological benefits. I also work alongside our nutrition team on food safety and product quality.
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
My best skills are my communication and project management skills. I believe any problem can be solved with critical thinking and a well-designed experiment.
What do you like about working at EnviroFlight?
I really enjoy the collaborative work environment at Enviroflight. Although everyone has defined job responsibilities, we all help each other and work on various projects within and outside of our area of expertise. This teamwork has allowed me to greatly expand my knowledge and skill set in a short amount of time.
The best piece of advice I've ever been given is …
Work hard in silence, let success be your noise.
Charmaine Espinosa, PhD
NUTRITIONIST
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
I manage and lead the Nutrition R&D team where we continuously develop diets and strategic methods to improve the nutritional quality and performance of our BSFL. I also collaborate with external institutions to determine how we can optimize the use of our EnviroProducts to different animal species.
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
Analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to adapt to a constant-changing environment/situation.
What do you like about working at EnviroFlight?
The people and the mission of the company. I also love that I constantly learn something new, not only in the area of animal nutrition, but in different disciplines as well.
The best piece of advice I've ever been given is …
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Ian Banks, PhD
DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS
What's your professional background?
Since 2010, I’ve worked in academia and industry to realize the enormous potential of the black soldier fly (BSF). My Masters and Doctorate focused on using BSF to help improve sanitation in low- and middle-income communities. Afterward, I moved into industry, working for a company that upcycled food waste using BSF, where I performed foundational research, product- and project development, business development, fundraising, PR and media, and quality and regulatory. In 2021, I began working for another insect-ag company, where I worked with regulators, trade associations, and research centers to advance regulations in the US. At EnviroFlight, I enjoy applying the skills and experience I’ve learned over the years to help the insect-ag sector continue to mature.
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
I am responsible for directing external and internal projects that help define and develop North American insect-agriculture regulations, leading to new market opportunities. I work closely with external collaborators to develop industry-wide regulatory strategies and industry-specific best practices.
Name three words that describe you.
Forward-Thinking, Quality-Focused, Passionate
The best piece of advice I've ever been given is …
“If enough of us believe, a new thing can be made to exist. Belief structure creates a filter through which chaos is sifted into order.” Frank Herbert, Heretics of Dune
Zachary Paden, P.E.
PROJECT MANAGER
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
Manage Projects
Name three words that describe you.
Disciplined, conscientious, and industrious
What do you like about working at EnviroFlight?
The people I work with
The best piece of advice I've ever been given is ...
Don't get excited
What's your professional background?
Engineering and management
Anna Pattison, MS, CPA
CONTROLLER
What do you do at EnviroFlight?
Manage the finance and administrative departments.
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
I have a solid accounting background, always pay close attention to detail, and have been told I "exude grace under pressure."
Name three words that you describe you.
Dedicated, detailed-orientated, conscientious
What's your professional background …
I have almost 20 years of experience in accounting, including public accounting and senior leadership roles in various industries.