Richard Rast, President.  Richard leads the Highland team and partners who are focused on product validation, engineering/construction, plant operations, supply and offtake, and financing/funding. Prior to joining Highland, Richard started, developed, and subsequently sold three successful businesses over the past 40 years.  His technical expertise and the scope of these businesses included planning, design, construction and operation of large-scale manufacturing, industrial and commercial facilities; facility decarbonization, renewable energy development; environmental compliance and remediation.  Financial expertise includes debt, tax equity, incentives, and private equity.  Richard is active in regional workforce development programs focusing on skill development, apprenticeship, and joint enrollment programs to encourage deeper participation in traditional trades including manufacturing and construction.  He is a graduate of Georgia Tech and has been a lecturer and adjunct professor at Georgia Tech, the University of Colorado and the Air Force Institute of Technology.