Made by Growers, used by Growers

CEO & Co-founder

With a deep background in pistachio, wine grape, and cotton farming, Mayo has held several leadership positions within large agribusiness firms. Prior to co-founding The Sitos Group, Mayo served as the General Manager of North State Hulling Cooperative, a 53-year-old non-profit almond processing firm in Northern California and led the cooperative in the construction of a new $30M hulling facility. Mayo and his wife Robyn relocated to Chico where he served as a Co-general Manager for California Olive Ranch. Prior to the move, he was Water Resources Manager for Wonderful Orchards.

Mayo proudly holds a BS in Political Science, an MBA in Agribusiness, is a California Ag Leadership graduate, and holds accreditation in farm management. Dedicated to building a regenerative future, he has become an expert in biochar and carbon removal and launched a regenerative agriculture consulting firm. Since then, his growing passion for biochar and carbon removal has transferred to The Sitos Group, contributing largely to our team's appetite for CDR and biochar creation, application, and research.

Co-founder & Wine Industry Advocate

In California’s Salinas Valley, McIntyre Vineyards’ founder and The Sitos Group co-founder, Steve McIntyre is highly regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and respected wine grape growers in the area. He currently farms 17,500 acres in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties and owns two Sustainability in Practice (SIP) certified estate vineyards totaling 161 acres. Steve is also the owner and operator of Monterey Pacific, a vineyard management company, producing sustainable wine grapes under the SIP, SWA Lodi rules and Leading Harvest certification programs. 100% of Monterey Pacific’s managed vineyards are certified sustainable.

As a viticulturist, California Ag Leadership graduate, and enologist with a career in viticulture spanning nearly four decades, Steve possesses a unique perspective on the terroirs and wines of this great appellation. This makes him an invaluable asset to understanding effective biochar application. With Steve’s passion for climate change, he strongly believes that sustainability is not about setting standards, but measuring results. As a grower who strives for greater soil health, higher crop yields, and water reduction in his own fields, Steve’s involvement in the Sitos Group is essential for demonstrating biochar’s legitimacy and advantage for the agriculture and CDR communities.

Board of Directors Member & Almond Industry Advocate

Daniel Errotabere is a general partner of a family farm operating in Riverdale and Huron area of California. The farm is diversified with crops that include Pima Cotton, Barley, Processing Garlic, Processing Tomatoes, Green and Dry Garbanzos Beans, Seed lettuce, Wine grapes, Pistachio and Almonds. Mr. Errotabere is a third-generation farmer and along with his two brothers Jean & Remi, farms about 5,200 acres covering the counties of Fresno and Kings on the western regions of the San Joaquin Valley. Principal partner of El Dorado Almonds. Daniel attended and graduated from California State University, Fresno where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agribusiness. He is also a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership, Class XXI, a two-year fellowship program.

He is currently on the Board of Directors for Fresno Madera Farm Credit Association as well as a member of the board of Trustee on the Agricultural Foundation for California State University, Fresno. He recently has served on the Board of Crescent Canal Company, Served as member & President to the Executive Board of the Fresno County Farm Bureau. Board of Directors California Farm Bureau Federation. Additionally, Mr. Errotabere has recently served as a board member and President of the Board for the Westlands Water District and board member and Treasurer for the Family Farm Alliance.

Technical Voice

With a BS in agronomy and crop production from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a PhD in soil science from UC Davis, Dr. Doug Beck has over 40 years of experience in the world of soil fertility and plant nutrition. Doug operated as a senior Soil Scientist for the international agricultural resource centers in Asia, Africa, and S and Central America. Since returning to the US in the late 90s, he worked as technical manager in Beringer’s Central Coast vineyards for five years, then joined Monterey Pacific’s team working as Technical Director, Vineyard Manager, and since 2019, as Science Advisor.

With his extensive experience in soils and cropping systems on 6 continents, Doug adds valuable insight as a technical advisor to the Sitos team. Through his understanding of biochar effects from studies in the ancient Tera Preta Amazonian soils and more recently California Coastal soils, he works to define soil characteristics that respond positively to biochar applications. Doug has revealed the sizable benefits that biochar has in soil and soil microbiome enhancement by conducting research on the positive effects that biochar and compost have on vineyard water use, soil fertility, plant nutrition and soil health.

Marketing, PR, & Communication Manager

Jessica develops and executes strategic media relations, public relations, communications, and marketing campaigns for The Sitos Group. With a BA in Managerial Organizational Communication and a double minor in Business Admin and Marketing from Point Loma Nazarene University, she thrives in grasping complex organizational challenges and opportunities, crafting innovative and targeted strategies to address them.

Paired with a personal passion for the outdoors, Jessica is an advocate for conserving the earth’s beauty and well-being. Her background in ranching heightens her appreciation for the ways Sitos is building a regenerative future and supporting the development of the farming /growing communities. Jessica enthusiastically welcomes those wanting to learn about biochar to ask questions and become more involved in the world of carbon removal. “Every journey in CDR starts with a conversation.” – Jessica

Pyrolysis Operations Manager

Alan Beck, an accomplished viticulturist technician, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. With a solid background in viticulture and a degree in agriculture engineering and sound tech in Spain, Alan held the position of assistant viticulturist at MPI from 2013 - 2017. Since then, he further honed his skills during an intensive viticulturist course at UC Davis.

During his tenure at MPI, Alan has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in managing sensor and vine/phenological data. His comprehensive knowledge extends to pyrolysis technology, where he has accumulated three years of hands-on experience. Alan's unwavering commitment lies in addressing climate change and advocating for the widespread comprehension of biochar's pivotal role in fostering a regenerative future.

Pyrolysis Operations Specialist

With a career spanning over a decade as a proficient heavy machinery operator, Josue Valero's journey into the world of sustainable technology began at Sitos Group where he functions as a Pyrolysis Operations Specialist. This pivotal shift marked his entry into commercial biochar production and slow pyrolysis technology. Prior to this role, Josue's introduction to biochar occurred through friends who utilized it for its diverse benefits. They conducted small-scale biochar kiln experiments and gathered burnt redwood bark from the Redwood National Forests to add to their gardens and take advantage of its soil improvement properties.

Josue's current position as Pyrolysis Operations Specialist, coupled with his ongoing education in the field, has ignited a passion that aligns with Sitos Group’s commitment to combatting climate change. His position places him on the frontlines of the battle against environmental challenges, allowing him to preserve and enrich the natural world for present and future generations to enjoy.