Jeffrey Atkin founded and developed Sustainable Forest Systems LP in 1991. He researched and created the fundamental macro-economic framework, biological and political screens, markets, capital formation, and management team to form one of the world’s first integrated and sustainably managed tropical hardwood businesses in Paraguay, South America. The business became recognized as one of the few on-time/on-quality FSC-certified tropical hardwood businesses to supply North American and Asian customers. Jeff led a $40 million investment extending the sustainable forestry business concept in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, working extensively with community and indigenous groups to secure long-term timber leases and create an FSC-certified timber resource of approximately 550,000 hectares. He was responsible for the financing, planning, and implementation of a greenfield sawmill and veneer mill complex considered the most robust in South America. Prior to starting SFS from 1981 to 1989 Mr. Atkin was Principal of Atkin Petroleum Group, one of the first and largest spread market makers for heating oil, gasoline, and crude oil. Subsequently he was Managing Partner of two trading companies specializing in hedge strategies for the petroleum markets. He was a member of the New York Mercantile Exchange from 1980 to 1996. He graduated from Amherst College in 1979. He serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of CorStone.org, an NGO that works to improve the health, education and self-sufficiency of youth, particularly young women and girls, around the world.