People & Careers

CHRISTIAN ABL

CEO

Christian Abl is an experienced developer of waste refining projects in Europe. He has been responsible for the procurement and utilization of waste derived fuels at Holcim’s cement plants in Eastern Europe. Abl has also been in the management team of the Austrian waste company Saubermacher.

FEDERICO VARALTA

PROJECT DIRECTOR

Federico Varalta has several years of experience in the environmental and energy sector on a global level. He has gained a deep understanding of EPCC project management by covering several management roles. He has also an extensive knowledge of the biomass and biowaste treatment technologies, through which he designs the most sustainable solution in relation to the available streams.

AAPO NIKUNEN

FINANCE AND LEGAL DIRECTOR

Aapo Nikunen is an experienced project financing expert. He has been in charge of arranging financing for several international industrial facility and infrastructure projects, e.g. in Elenia and YIT.

JORDAN MANDALOV

COO

Jordan Mandalov is COO of Griffin International FZ-LLC. He is responsible for managing the realization project of RDF. He has more than 10 years of experience in waste management and sales. He is known for his expertise mainly in waste management, pricing and adjusting the process in new projects.

Selvakumar Thirugnanam

Project Engineer

Selvakumar is based in UAE  and is leading the construction of the RDF plant in Umm al Quwain. Selvakumar has 12 years of experience from concept to commissioning of Renewable as well as Non-Renewable Energy projects and implemented large-scale projects in the area of Waste to Energy Plants, Coal-Fired Power Plants and Waste Water Treatment Plants.

KESHIA JOENSUU

ASSISTANT TO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT TEAM

Keshia Joensuu is Sustainability Engineer with a keen sense of responsibility towards protecting the environment and developing sustainable solutions for a cleaner, healthier planet.

MARTTI MALMIVIRTA

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Martti is also the Executive Chairman of Korkia Venture Insight and a board member of Korkia Group. He has a successful track record both as corporate executive and entrepreneur for setting up several new businesses.

MIKKO KANTERO

CEO OF KORKIA VENTURE INSIGHT OY

Mikko is the CEO of Korkia Venture Insight Oy and has been one of the key developers and initiators of Griffin Refineries since its beginning. He has over 15 years of international experience in waste and energy related businesses.

TIMO AHOPELTO

Timo Ahopelto is one of the most successful private equity investors in Finland and has invested in Griffin Refineries through his company Lifeline Ventures. He is also a member of the board of Slush, Tekes and Tieto.

ERIK PAASIKIVI

Erik represents the younger generation of Oras Invest and is responsible for the Owners Board. He is also on the boards of startups owned by his investment company Valve Ventures. Valve Ventures is one of the investors of Griffin Refineries.