Fall is in the air, and for the Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels, LLC (NWABF) team, that means we’re in the autumn mode of enjoying watching football on the weekends.
In this Super Bowl of the https://bit.ly/3nRP6fW /sustainable-aviation-fuel-resources/”>Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry, we get great contributions from our team members. We keep getting first downs and continue to move our SAF game closer to the end zone for the big scoring opportunity.
Today’s blog post features another key member of our team — Steven (Bear) Brown, our forestry logistics man up in Grays Harbor, and a player closely linked to the position of an NFL defensive back.
Steven has a fascinating background, suitable for the rough ‘n tumble world of SAF production. Steven is a retired Navy SEAL, having served in multiple positions, most recently as the Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) at Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command Detachment Kodiak, Alaska managing and leading Cold Weather Maritime, Mountaineering and Wilderness Survival training, where he now serves on a “contract” basis.
While at SEAL Team VI, Steven served in an assault squadron as an assaulter, breacher, pointman, and sniper. He also held the position of the SEA for the Command Sniper Cell. He participated in over 250 missions while attached to SEAL Team VI. He’s an All-Pro in every sense of the word!
Managing the Defense
We see Steven as the All-Pro ‘Defensive Back’ for the NWABF Team. His responsibilities are closely aligned with a good defensive back, assessing the play and shifting strategies to provide coverage.
A defensive back helps the team by handling pass coverage first and then covering any subsequent runs. Players in the defensive backfield hold a key position on the defensive team. If a defensive back doesn’t perform, the opposing runner scores!!
In our case and parallel, we need to make sure we get early peak performance on feedstock deliveries, feedstock conditions, including the size of chips, moisture content, etc.
For NWABF, that role is crucial to our success in the field. Steven oversees all of the forestry logistics of the delivery from all the suppliers and barge companies, getting the feedstock to the site and subsequently into the gasification system. Steven will work along with teammate Chris Whitworth and the contractors and suppliers involved.
“Steven is a problem-solver, and if he commits, he delivers,” says Dave Smoot, Manager and Quarterback of NWABF. “He uses his razor-sharp mind and disciplined skillset to coordinate a lot of moving pieces for our team. His background as a Navy SEAL gives him a wide vision to see through obstacles and challenges and solve problems for managing our forestry logistics production process.”
Military Background in Play
Let’s summarize Steven’s experience and the benefits to the NWABF Team. During his time as a Navy SEAL, Steven trained and mentored SEAL teammates, the command staff, other special operation forces, and over 1000 SEAL Qualification Training students in areas like mountaineering, survival, land navigation, over the beach operations, cold weather nutrition, and first aid, fitness, and avalanche awareness in the remote Kodiak, Alaska environment. As a result, Steven was awarded the title of Master Training Specialist.
Steven also made numerous deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq as part of SEAL Team VI. He participated in more than 250 combat operations and was awarded the U.S. Silver Star and many other individual awards.
Today, Steven also runs a non-profit camp for veterans who have PTSD named Camp Brown Bear, while adding a key piece to our mission of SAF production for airlines. Along with other team members profiled on this blog, Steven’s role in NWABF continues to help the team move the ball down the field.
For more information on NWABF visit: https://nwabiofuels.com
