Name: Brett Hodson
Previous title: Founder and principal at Sunshine Pier Capital
New title: CEO of Anaergia
"I am thrilled to have joined Anaergia and to lead it during its next phase," Hodson said in a statement. "This company has enormous potential, and I am excited to have the opportunity to help build it into the world’s leading renewable fuel producer and developer, while enhancing value for shareholders.”
Hodson is succeeding Anaergia founder Andrew Benedek as CEO, effective Wednesday. Prior to founding Sunshine, a private equity and consulting firm, he was president and CEO of Corix Infrastructure. Hodson helped grow Corix to reach $650 million in revenue, according to Anaergia. Hodson’s experience, including his time at Corix, covers water, wastewater and energy infrastructure, along with other relevant areas. Corix was purchased by a Canadian pension fund and Hodson retired from the company in 2015.
According to a statement from Frank McKenna, one of Anaergia’s directors, Benedek informed the board one year ago “that on his eightieth birthday he would like to hand over the CEO position.” This move follows the recent announcement of Andrew Spence becoming the Anaergia’s new CFO, following a career at companies such as Aria Energy and Ameresco.
“Brett’s appointment represents a pivotal moment for our company as we chart our path for our next phase of growth,” said Benedek in a statement. “I am completely confident in handing over the senior leadership role in the company to him after having seen him build Corix into a highly profitable water and energy infrastructure company. With Brett Hodson and Andrew Spence, our CFO, on board, we now have a new team with significant infrastructure development experience.”
Benedek will continue to serve as chairman of the board of directors and said the company is working to “review all aspects of the business to align with Anaergia’s recently announced asset-light strategy.”
Anaergia’s Rialto Bioenergy Facility subsidiary, which includes a major California anaerobic digestion site, recently filed for bankruptcy in an effort to restructure finances.
Benedek founded Anaergia in 2008, following the formation and sale of a wastewater recycling technology business to General Electric and a stint researching climate change at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California.
