Executive Team
Matthew J. Griswold, CFA – President
As president of BlendStar, Matt Griswold is instrumental in identifying new growth opportunities, overseeing expansion projects and supervising the daily operations of all terminals. Leveraging his experience in computer modeling and programming, he has developed a significant amount of the proprietary computer software systems currently in use for BlendStar operations.
Prior to co-founding BlendStar, Matt was an associate portfolio manager at Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago. While at Harris Bank, he managed individual stock and bond accounts for private clients, handling as much as $400 million in assets for more than 150 clients. Matt received a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois and earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2000. Later that year, he co-founded Griswold Capital Management, a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA), to trade futures with personal and client funds utilizing computer models. Shortly thereafter, he assisted in the formation of Griswold Energy Partners to develop refined fuels procurement programs for large, unbranded customers.
Jon A. Griswold – Director of Strategic Planning
With more than 30 years of experience in managing corporate commodity exposure, Jon Griswold markets existing terminal capacity, identifies growth opportunities and manages corporate risk as director of strategic planning for BlendStar. Leveraging his experience in both the cash and futures markets, Jon formed Griswold Energy Partners to assist large, unbranded grocery and c-store chains in the development and operation of fuel procurement programs.
Prior to co-founding BlendStar, Jon served as vice president of supply for Mark II Energy (a division of Growmark). In that capacity, he marketed refined fuels from two Midwestern refineries and was responsible for establishing terminal prices along several pipelines. Jon was also responsible for supply and delivery of refined fuels, at least cost, for c-stores in a six-state area.
After leaving Mark II Energy, Jon became the national marketing director for TransCanada/Northridge until TransCanada sold its US assets. He then formed Griswold Capital Management to trade futures with personal and client funds utilizing computer models based on his extensive fundamental and technical trading experience.
Steven Paul Melton – Director of Sales and Marketing
As director of marketing for BlendStar, Paul Melton facilitates communication between end users, ethanol marketers and ethanol producers to leverage capacity at BlendStar terminals. In addition, he develops new relationships and opportunities in markets not currently served by BlendStar, and provides site evaluation for potential new terminals.
Before joining BlendStar, Paul gained experience in the transportation of petroleum and operation of terminals along the TEPPCO pipeline with LaGloria Oil and Gas in its terminal division. After leaving LaGloria, Paul worked for several different divisions inside Martin & Bayley (dba Huck's Food and Fuel). While there, he served as vice president of petroleum, gaining extensive experience in the procurement, transportation, and storage of bio-fuels. Paul joined Griswold Energy Partners in December 2005 to focus on the development of bio-fuel programs for its clients.