Team
Built Different – Grounded in Purpose, Powered by Experience
At CarbonCore, we’re not just building clean energy infrastructure – we’re building a company that reflects the values of the community we’ve joined. Our leadership brings together decades of experience across energy, technology, policy, and impact, united by a shared mission:
To create lasting value for Boyd County, Kentucky, and the world beyond.
BOARD EXPANDED – LOCAL LEADERSHIP NOW REPRESENTED
Main Board
Michael A. McKenzie
President & Chief Executive
Founder of CarbonCore, Michael brings decades of leadership across energy infrastructure, project finance, and international development. He is the architect of CarbonCore’s multi-phase strategy and committed to delivering lasting impact for Kentucky, its people, and the climate.
John P. Cornett
Chief Compliance Officer
A founding member and lifelong Kentuckian, John leads commercial strategy and stakeholder engagement. His background spans legal aspects of business development, operations, and public-private partnerships, with deep ties across the Commonwealth.
Raymond A. Farrier
Chief Operations Officer
Ray brings extensive experience from global oil & gas majors and engineering firms, as well as military leadership. Relocating from Perth, Australia, Ray is shaping CarbonCore’s operational model and future global expansions.
Dr. Zahra F. Sepasi
Chief AI & Process Officer (Designate)
Zahra is a chemist, AI specialist, and researcher focused on advanced materials and process automation. She oversees CarbonCore’s AI-enabled operations and graphene integration, bridging science and systems with transformative potential.
Dr.
Chief Science & Sustainability Officer
A globally respected figure in carbon conversion science and sustainability, Dr. has pioneered clean fuel technologies and helped scale early SAF ventures. At CarbonCore, he oversees our GHG compliance, lifecycle metrics, and ESG alignment. Formal announcement pending.
Christie Addington
Community & Economic Development
Christie is a respected Eastern Kentucky leader with deep experience in real estate, community engagement, and economic development.
As a member of CarbonCore’s Board, she brings valuable local insight and trusted relationships, helping to ensure our Boyd County project delivers lasting benefits to the region’s workforce, economy, and environment.
Advisory Board
“Trusted guidance from industry, community, and finance.”
Jack Cornett
Strategic Financial Advisor
A seasoned finance executive with extensive experience in energy infrastructure and public-private capital markets. Jack advises CarbonCore’s financial operations, bond strategy, and institutional engagement.
Gray Nominee
Board Seat – Engineering Partner
As CarbonCore’s EPC partner, Gray’s board representative provides insight on engineering, permitting, and construction milestones. Their presence ensures alignment across timelines, cost efficiency, and Kentucky-based execution.
BCTC Nominee
Board Seat (TBC) –Training Partner
As a member of CarbonCore’s Advisory Board, BCTC brings premier workforce development expertise to our Eastern Kentucky clean-energy project. With multiple campuses, including Lexington’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, BCTC delivers cutting-edge training in CNC, automation, industrial maintenance, and engineering technology. Their partnership ensures our project offers meaningful workforce pathways and region-wide opportunity.
eKAMI Nominee
Board Seat – Training Partner
eKAMI (East Kentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute) plays a key advisory role in shaping CarbonCore’s workforce development strategy. Through its nationally recognized training programs and deep regional roots, eKAMI helps ensure our project delivers lasting employment pathways, skills transfer, and local economic uplift.
As a trusted voice in Kentucky’s advanced manufacturing sector, eKAMI brings invaluable insight into the integration of community, training, and next-generation industrial innovation.
CarbonCore is Built to Scale with Integrity
Our early team combines seasoned leadership with a growing operational base in Kentucky. As we scale, we’re laying the foundations for a world-class organization, with systems, people, and partners aligned to deliver long-term success.