Drax Biomass, Atlanta, has named Peter Madden its CEO for United States operations. Drax Biomass, which makes wood pellets using forestry residues, agricultural residues and energy crops, is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of the United Kingdom-based electricity generating company Drax Group plc.

Madden brings close to 30 years of experience in the forestry industry to Drax Biomass and will guide the subsidiary’s overall strategy and oversee day-to-day operations in the United States.

Madden most recently served as the vice president of renewable energy and supply chain for Seattle-based Plum Creek Timber Co.

“Peter’s appointment is the result of a thorough search process to identify an extraordinary leader who brings deep relationships with the U.S. forestry industry and shares Drax’s values of ensuring the sustainability of the world's forests, while lowering carbon emissions,” says Dorothy Thompson, CEO of Drax Group. “We are delighted to have him join our team.”

Drax Biomass is a development and operating company focused on manufacturing wood pellets for renewable low-carbon power generation from sustainable biomass. The company has bioenergy manufacturing facilities in Amite, Mississippi and Morehouse, Louisiana.