Myles Gray Steps into Leadership
We are honored to welcome Myles Gray, P.E., as the new Executive Director of the US Biochar Initiative.
Introduction letter by Myles:
Embracing the Executive Director Role: A Journey of Growth and Optimism
As I move into the Executive Director role here at USBI, I am honored, optimistic, and naturally a bit nervous. Starting my biochar journey back in 2010, I never would have imagined I would lead an organization like USBI with such a clear opportunity to catalyze growth in the industry. Like many in the industry, I came in with starry-eyed optimism, expecting that farmers, policymakers, and others would immediately see what I saw – a beautifully complex approach to turn waste biomass into value while also storing carbon for thousands of years. I naively expected progress to be quick and easy, and when it was not, my optimism drained away, and I left the industry to become a water resources engineer. While working on the sidelines, the industry diligently recreated itself one step at a time. For my part, I focused on developing the use of biochar in stormwater management, pushing the envelope and specifying biochar in projects whenever I could. Many other industry pioneers were doing the same in other parts of the industry, developing technologies to produce and use biochar more effectively, spurring innovation. Meanwhile, climate change continued to worsen, and the world began to pay more attention to the crisis. From my viewpoint, the turning point came with the advent of biochar carbon removal credits, which unlocked significant funding for biochar producers and raised the salience of the technology.
I came back into the industry in 2021, first with Myno Carbon, and then at USBI. Now, as Executive Director at USBI, I aim to capitalize on the opportunity to continue pushing the industry forward.
Honoring Industry Leaders and Tom Miles’ Lasting Legacy
I want to share my heartfelt thanks for the team and board of directors at USBI, and all of the many pioneers in the industry, but especially Tom Miles, who has led USBI since 2016. Tom has put more into growing this industry than just about anyone, working tirelessly to spread the potential of biochar production and use. He has become a trusted source of knowledge in the industry by highlighting the potential of biochar, but also clearly pointing out the obstacles, risks, and pitfalls. His legacy will last for years to come, and I hope to build upon that legacy by growing USBI into an even stronger driving force within the industry.
A New Direction: Driving Market Development for Biochar
As part of this leadership transition, there will also be changes in how USBI leads the biochar industry. Most importantly, USBI will re-focus on growing markets for physical biochar, which has emerged as the key obstacle to scaling the biochar industry in North America. Time and again, we hear input on the need to develop markets. Our focus area over the next few years will be growing demand for physical biochar as a soil amendment, as a component of biochar enhanced fertilizer, in potting and horticultural media, as a concrete additive, in landscaping and tree care, and in stormwater and other environmental applications. To support the building of markets, USBI is hiring a Soil and Agriculture Program Director to build upon the tremendous opportunity presented by industrial agriculture.
As part of growing markets, USBI will also continue to lead the way in developing an American National Standard (ANSI) for physical biochar to build the trust and confidence in biochar materials.
We will continue to serve as a trusted resource and nexus for industry networking, including hosting the annual North American Biochar Conference, with the next event being in Minneapolis in September 2025, which will serve as a platform for further elevating biochar's role in a resilient future.
- Myles Gray, P.E.