We are scientists, growers, technologists, and entrepreneurs
Arva’s unique solution works because we are tackling the intersection of climate, agronomy, and economics with expertise from each domain—achieving real change by working together. Meet our leadership team and learn more about the deep wells of experience we’re bringing to the field.
Jay McEntire
CEO, Cofounder
Experienced Fintech CEO, former bank holding company CFO and investment banker. Managing Director of Glennoe Farms, LLC. Successful exit as CEO of ProTrader Group to Instinet for $150M.
Ben Brown, PhD
Chief machine learning architect, cofounder
Machine Learning Expert & Head of Molecular Ecosystems Dynamics at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, Chair of Environmental Bioinformatics at U of Birmingham, and Senior Scientific Advisor for Preminon, LLC.
Lacey Pyle, PhD
Chief soil scientist
Lacey obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from Rice University studying the impact of black carbon on soil chemistry in a variety of climates and then gained extensive experience at the Shell Technology Center. At Arva she brings soil science and python together to model sustainable agriculture systems.
Matt Rohlik
Managing director of farm data, strategic partnerships
Experienced farmer and rancher, 15 years precision agriculture expert specializing in equipment (John Deere for 10 years and remote sensing with Mavrx and Taranis Inc)
Tom Dye
Chief Technology Officer
C-level executive and founder of multiple tech startups. Experienced entrepreneur responsible for millions in equity-raised capital, IPO exits, and acquisitions by publicly traded companies. Inventor of 55 patents.
Audrey Barrett Bixler
Director, Environmental markets
Audrey brings deep experience in the environmental space, serving as Senior Energy and Sustainability Policy Analyst for the Department of Defense before she joined Arva. There she focused on resilience, efficiency, and Army Net Zero. She also has her MS and MPH from UC Berkeley.
Mark Isbell
Founding board member, rice farmer
Rice Farmer with Isbell Farms and Instructor of Professional Tech Writing at University of Arkansas Little Rock. Board Member of Sustainability Committee USA Rice Federation. Board Member of Field to Market.
Allan Traicoff
Chief Impact Officer
Allan is a serial innovator and storyteller who co-designed Shell’s SAFc program and launched the LEAF Coalition that galvanized $1 billion in private sector JREDD+ offtakes.
Charles Tate
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Private investor, Former Partner at Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst and Managing Partner Private Investments at Morgan Stanley. Columbia Business School Advisor and dedicated University of Texas alumni.
