Management

Chief Executive Officer

Petter Østbø

Petter started Atlas Agro with Knut in 2021 to make zero-carbon fertilizer available to farmers everywhere. He has a background on a CxO level from the largest fertilizer producers in the world, having been COO and CFO in Yara International and group CEO in EuroChem AG, after a period as Associate Principal in McKinsey & Co. Petter has overseen the production of more than 50 plants and mines worldwide, as well as the construction of more than a dozen world-scale plants and mines. He’s the author of a book on productivity, and led six major productivity transformations across commercial, supply chain operations, capital projects and support functions in chemicals, metals and mining, with more than a billion USD in demonstrated improvements. Petter spends his spare time cycling or skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Chief Operating Officer

Knut Karlsen

Knut is an engineer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and holds an MBA from IMD in Switzerland. He was recently the CEO of Umoe Bioenergy, producing biofuel and electricity from sugar cane in São Paulo in Brazil. Knut also sits on the advisory board of Copersucar S.A., the world’s largest sugar and ethanol trader. Prior to joining Umoe Bioenergy, Knut was the President of Yara Brasil, the Brazilian subsidiary of Yara International.

Knut joined Yara from PwC, where he was a Partner in the firm’s consulting group.

Chief Financial Officer

Eduard Uraskulov

Eduard is a seasoned finance professional with 15 years of experience in business development, strategy, corporate finance and accounting. Throughout his career Eduard has been focusing on the broad natural resource and energy sector including agriculture, fertilizers, chemicals, energy and metals and mining.

Prior to joining Atlas Agro, Eduard was Head of Global Business at Tesseract Energy, a UK-based renewable energy startup. Before that he led M&A function of EuroChem Group AG, a leading global fertilizer company based in Zug, Switzerland. He joined EuroChem after 8 years at Goldman Sachs where he was an Executive Director in EMEA Natural Resources, advising clients on various finance and strategic issues all over the world. Prior to that he worked at UBS and Deloitte.

Chief Projects Officer

Giuseppe Fortuna

Giuseppe spent most of his professional life in the EPC Contractor business, first in Technip (Rome, Rio de Janeiro), then in Tecnicas Reunidas. He covered different leading roles, first in the Commercial Area as Head of Cost Estimating, then in Operations, as Head of Contracts,  Procurement Director, and finally Project Controls Director since 2019. He executed or supervised hundreds of bids and tens of EPC Projects from USD50m up to USD4bn and from 100,000 to 5 million hours, always seeking the best-in-class performance in Plants construction. He loves sailing sports, in line with its commitment with sustainable growth.

Giuseppe is Mechanical Engineer and holds an Executive MBA.

Operations Director

Rodrigo Santana

Rodrigo is an executive with 18 years of solid experience in Logistics, Operations, and Continuous Improvement, in different industries, being the majority in the fertilizer business.

Before joining Atlas Agro in May 2022, Rodrigo worked as Director of Continuous Improvement for Americas in Yara, after spending 3 years implementing a lean-based productivity system in several fertilizer plants in Europe and Latin America generating more than 500 MUSD in savings.

Rodrigo also headed two different regional operations in Brazil in Yara, encompassing 7 industrial sites and delivering more than 2,3 million tons of products yearly. In Oslo, he received a global award for the fantastic work done in safety in the Paranaguá site.

He also has a background in logistics, being responsible for managing overall inbound and outbound logistics of Parana and Mato Grosso states in Yara for years in Yara. He also managed inputs and spare parts inventories in other companies in the energy and garment industries.

Rodrigo has an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School, and specializations in Logistics and Lean Manufacturing from FAE Business School and PUC-PR, respectively. He has also a degree in Business from Universidade de Pernambuco.

Sr I&A Manager

Jose Negrin

As an accomplished Chemical Engineer with a specialization in Automation and a focus on field instrumentation and control systems, Jose Negrin has enjoyed an outstanding career spanning over 20 years in the global Oil & Gas EPC sector. With a particular emphasis on Automation project management, he has leveraged his vast experience and expertise to oversee and deliver complex automation projects for leading companies in the industry. Throughout his career, Jose has consistently demonstrated his exceptional ability to manage and deliver projects on time and within budget, while ensuring that the technical requirements are met.

 

He possesses an analytical mindset with a focus on solving problems and optimizing processes to improve efficiency. Jose is passionate about sustainability and is committed to creating automation systems that reduce waste and minimize environmental impact.

 

Beyond his professional career, Jose is an avid gamer and keeps up with the latest technology trends, always seeking to expand his knowledge in these areas. Driven by a desire to contribute to a more sustainable world through his work, he actively seeks ways to incorporate innovative solutions into his automation projects.

 

With his extensive experience and deep commitment to sustainability, Jose is a valuable asset to any organization seeking to leverage automation to improve their operations and drive long-term growth.

Director North America

Dan Holmes

Dan supports business development activities for Atlas Agro in North America including site selection, partnerships, and customer offtakes. He excels in bringing diverse stakeholder groups to help solve the world’s biggest problems. Over the last 16 years at Siemens, he has led teams across many industries including life science, healthcare, data centers, and utilities.

Dan is a native of the PNW, where he received an Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of Idaho and a Masters’s in Communication from Gonzaga University. Outside of family, Dan has a passion for cycling, and can often be spotted on lonely roads in the Swiss Alps.

Engineering Manager

Lavinia Nardelli

Lavinia is a mechanical engineer with over 20 years’ experience in Engineering, Project Procurement and Site management having served in some of the most reputable Engineering and Contracting firms as Technicas Reunidas, Techint E&C, Tecnimont.
Specialized in EPC Project management in different locations (Europe, KSA, Russian Federation, South America, Egypt). Across her professional life she develop her project execution skills with a close grip on the contractual and strategic implication of the project
decisions, with a special focus on risk management.
Lavinia brings to Atlas Agro skills needed to optimize the engineering management, the procurement activities and construction phases of the zero-carbon fertilizer projects.
Senior Finance Manager

Rodrigo Hernandez

Rodrigo is a professional with more than 17 years of experience, with a solid career in Corporate Finance.

 

Prior to joining the Atlas Agro team, Rodrigo was Head of FP&A for Latin America at the Sino-American consumer goods joint venture Midea Carrier do Brasil and previously had stints at Nutrien Soluções Agrícolas, the world’s largest supplier of agricultural inputs, leading the corporate finance area in the company’s expansion strategy focusing on business performance, implementation of improvement processes and onboarding acquired companies, in addition to having spent almost 7 years at Mosaic Fertilizantes, the world’s leading integrated producer of concentrated phosphate and potash, with emphasis on participating in the acquisition process of Vale Fertilizantes by the group. He also has experience with management and implementation of infrastructure projects where he served as Project Controller at Omega Energia in the construction of a wind farm in the state of Piauí/Brazil, in addition to having held other positions in the financial area of multinational ​​companies such as Alpargatas, ALL Logística and Nestlé.

 

Sports lover, specially tennis, he is graduated in Economics from the University of São Paulo and in Business Administration from the University of Ribeirão Preto, he also holds a postgraduate degree in Risk Management and a MBA from the Alliance Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester.

Sr Mechanical Lead Engineer

David Iglesias

David is a Mechanical Lead with more than 15 years of experience in the Oil & Gas and Petrochemicals EPC Projects. He joined Atlas Agro bringing his extensive knowledge of mechanical design, package units, and solid handling equipment.

 

David’s career began at one of the most important engineering companies in Spain, where he gained in-depth expertise in managing diverse equipment units, from small ones to considerable packaged ones. His experience led him to specialize in developing modular approaches for new plants in the Oil & Gas sector.

 

David is a Chemical Engineer having a Master’s degree in Polymer Technology. His academic background and practical experience enable him to offer valuable insights and technical guidance to the Atlas Agro team. He has successfully applied his expertise to projects across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, demonstrating his versatility in adapting to new challenges.

 

One of David’s keen interests is exploring the potential of Digital Twins in plant design, construction, and operation. He believes that incorporating digital twins into the engineering process can help minimize risks, enhance efficiency, and improve the overall quality of the project. His dedication to exploring new technologies and techniques makes him a valuable asset to the Atlas Agro team.

Director of Policy and Government Affairs

Gina Zejdlik

With an accomplished public sector career in policy development, political and legal strategy, Gina heads policy and government relations for Atlas Agro. Gina most recently served as Chief of Staff for the Governor of Oregon. Her legal background includes statutory drafting, construction, and interpretation for the Oregon Legislative Assembly. She has served in the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office and as interim Elections Director. She has been a trusted advisor in the Governor’s office for the past 8 years, covering a range of policy areas including crisis management, health initiatives, private forest accords, corporate policies, ethics, and public records. Gina excels at navigating complex policy initiatives and bringing diverse groups of interests together to serve a common goal.

 

Gina was born in Vancouver, BC and while she grew up living all over the world, she calls the Pacific Northwest home. She earned her B.A. from the University of Washington and her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School. She is always on the go, whether juggling the schedules of her three kids, practicing yoga, or getting lost running Oregon trails.

Sr. Electrical Leader

Beatriz Hernández Hoyos

Beatriz is an Electrical Engineer with more than 10 years of experience, first in international EPC (Oil & Gas) projects with Tecnicas Reunidas and most recently managing Renewable Energy projects for Top Tier companies in Spain. She provides Atlas Agro the electrical point of view needed to develop the new fertilizer plants with zero emissions.

 

Focused on the electrical discipline, Beatriz has experience in defining and managing technical requirements across multiple countries (Saudi Arabia, Peru, Turkey, Spain), as well as in field engineering (Refinery in Perú). She has skills in Project Management, Vendor Management and Team Leadership, during Engineering, Procurement and Construction activities. She is an analytical profile with problem solving mindset and innovation approach.

 

Beatriz is passionate about electrical engineering and achieving a more sustainable world. She loves nature and enjoys the countryside where she combines the care of her two kids with the practice of ski and golf.

Brazil Business Development

Jacyr Costa Filho

Jacyr has more than 35 years of experience in top management positions in the Brazilian agribusiness sector. From 2006 to 2021 he was a member of the Global Executive Committee of the French cooperative group Tereos and was responsible for the Brazilian and Mozambican business units from 2006 to 2021. Currently, Jacyr is a partner at the consulting firm Agroadvice and a Financial Director of Fiesp- Federation of Industries of São Paulo State, where since 2016 he acts as chairman of COSAG – Superior Council of Agribusiness.
Sr Process and Technology Manager

Roberto Palomino

Roberto is a chemical Engineer with over 20 years of experience into the Fertilizer and Chemical industries, sectors where he has been involved in the design, development  and commissioning of projects related to Nitric Acid, Ammonium Nitrate (solution and low density) Potassium Nitrate, Calcium Nitrate and Nitro phosphate processes in his native Colombia, South Africa and Egypt.

 

He holds an MSc in Project Management from the University of Liverpool and specialization in Process Engineering from Universidad del Norte, fields of study that he is passionate about.

 

Before joining Atlas Agro team, Roberto was Production Director at Fertinagro France and previously Senior Technical Manager at Omnia Fertilizer in South Africa. He started his career at Abonos Colombianos S.A. (nowadays Yara) where he held the position of Project Process Engineer for the New Business Development Department.

 

Roberto is a passionate seasonal age-group triathlete, so it is not surprising to see him competing in medium and long-distance races wherever he is.

Board of Directors

Chairman of the Board

Petter Østbø

Petter started Atlas Agro with Knut in 2021 to make zero-carbon fertilizer available to farmers everywhere. He has a background on a CxO level from the largest fertilizer producers in the world, having been COO and CFO in Yara International and group CEO in EuroChem AG, after a period as Associate Principal in McKinsey & Co. Petter has overseen the production of more than 50 plants and mines worldwide, as well as the construction of more than a dozen world-scale plants and mines. He’s the author of a book on productivity, and led six major productivity transformations across commercial, supply chain operations, capital projects and support functions in chemicals, metals and mining, with more than a billion USD in demonstrated improvements. Petter spends his spare time cycling or skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Board Director

Bjørnar Misund

Bjørnar Hernes Misund (born 1989) is an Investment Manager at Farvatn Private Equity. Prior to joining Farvatn in 2017, he spent 6 years working with M&A and equity research in Infima and Handelsbanken Capital Markets. He currently serves as a board member in PASSER Group AS and various Credo Partners investment vehicles, as well as a deputy board member in Rimfrost Holding AS. Bjørnar holds a BSc from BI Norwegian Business School. Mr. Misund is a Norwegian citizen.
Board Observer

Hopen Tore

Tore Hopen (born 1971) is the CEO of Farvatn Private Equity since 2017. Previous experience includes the head of Corporate Finance in Handelsbanken Capital Markets, CEO in SEB Privatbanken, CFO in Storebrand Bank, Partner at Jarlsberg Partners and Associate at JP Morgan. Tore is educated at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and holds an MBA from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. Mr. Hopen is a Norwegian citizen.
Board Director

Knut Karlsen

Knut is an engineer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and holds an MBA from IMD in Switzerland. He was recently the CEO of Umoe Bioenergy, producing biofuel and electricity from sugar cane in São Paulo in Brazil. Knut also sits on the advisory board of Copersucar S.A., the world’s largest sugar and ethanol trader. Prior to joining Umoe Bioenergy, Knut was the President of Yara Brasil, the Brazilian subsidiary of Yara International.

Knut joined Yara from PwC, where he was a Partner in the firm’s consulting group.

Board Director

Kristian Andresen

Kristian Kragøe Andresen (born 1980) is an investor and independent advisor. He is a co-founder of the early-stage investment network ExM Investment Partners. Previous experience includes Executive Director at Russell Reynolds Associates and Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company. At McKinsey, he served PE and blue-chip clients on strategy, M&A and B2B go-to-market optimization. Kristian holds an MSc in Industrial Engineering and Technology Management from the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTNU). He is a Norwegian national.