The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) this week honored POET founder Jeff Broin will receive the 10th annual George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology. The award was presented Monday during the 2017 BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, added, “Jeff Broin is one of the great innovators and entrepreneurs in the industrial biotechnology sector. He ranks among the most influential leaders in agriculture as well. Biofuels have created new markets for agricultural products and rejuvenated rural America. Jeff Broin has positioned POET at the forefront of developing cellulosic ethanol and improving the economics of biofuel production.”

Jeff Broin led the growth of POET from a small 1-million-gallon facility 30 years ago to the current POET network of 28 biorefineries in 7 states with 1,800 team members.