Rob Elam /
Energy, tech and sustainability entrepreneur & executive, fly fisher, conservationist. Portland, Oregon and SF, CA.
Rob Elam is an entrepreneur focused on applying innovative business methods toward projects and pioneering companies that embody ideals of sustainability, high quality of life, and healthy communities. He is currently the CEO of Rebright Industries, a startup focused on repurposing landfill-bound material streams. Prior to Rebright, Rob was founder and CEO of Propel Fuels, the nation’s largest alternative fuel retailer. He is the lead inventor on several patents in the areas of carbon accounting and behavioral GIS methodologies. Rob also serves as the Co-President of the Native Fish Society; a Portland based wild fish conservation organization.
Work
- CEO, Rebright Industries. Rebright Industries delivers innovative products that enhance our social, environmental, and capital resources by recovering value from landfill-bound waste streams. Our first product, BetterRail, is a multi-purpose rail solution for the built environment.
- Managing Partner at Sauk River Holdings LLC.
- From 2004-2010 Founder and CEO/President of Propel Fuels, America's largest alternative fuel retailer. Propel is a consumer focused clean energy company with a mission to radically change the way people think about fueling their vehicles.
- 2012 Inc. 500: Propel is America’s fastest growing fuel brand.
- Rob Founded and developed Propel's mission, business model and brand, leading the company from Angel through Series A, B and C round funding with over $75M raised.
- Lead inventor on multiple consumer web, carbon accounting & energy software patents, including:
- CleanDrive, integrated carbon emission reduction tracking platform (patents 20090228404, 20090228403)
- Method for geo-locationing alt-fueling sites (patent 20100121680)
- Established innovative public/private collaborations, including youth green jobs training
- Energy policy wonk, working with elected officials and agency staff on strategy and policy. Funding partners include DOE, USDA, CEC, ARB. Established nation's largest public fleet alt-fuels program including National Guard, USPS, CalDGS, CHP, and CalTrans
- Developed Propel's fuel kiosks earning multiple architecture and design awards, including AIA recognition for green-build and architectural excellence.
- Resume & professional background at LinkedIn.
Rivers, fish & flyfishing
- Co-Chair, Board of Directors Native Fish Society
- Advisory Board Chairman Funny Feelings LLC, publisher of The Flyfish Journal
- Bylines and photo credits: Contributing writer and photographer, Flyfish Journal, The Drake, etc. A few recent writings (pdf) here, here and here. I occasionally sell photos for commercial use.
- Blogging at FFJ
- My fishing related photos on Flickr