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WORK WITH US
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About us

Our goals

Benefit public health while creating jobs

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Environmental Health benefits

Reduced wood waste in the environment leads to cleaner and safer neighborhoods with fewer fire risks associated with waste wood accumulation.

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Job creation

Pyrolysis plants create new job opportunities, particularly for low-income individuals and complements rehabilitative incarceration programs. The number of jobs can be significant - up to (8) full-time jobs per location, which can increase depending on the volume of waste processed.

Our Vision:

Our vision at ProperStagg Environmental Group is to take our Pyrolysis technology (reducing carbon footprint) and produce biochar. This process, along with our partnerships with correctional facilities and their existing work force innovative programs for teaching inmate’s valuable skills, will promote sustainable waste reduction and work towards achieving a carbon neutral environment.

Our Mission:

To utilize a special decomposition technology called (Pyrolysis) in furtherance of decarbonization, waste reduction, and implementing environmentally friendly fertilization processes, as well as producing clean, renewable energy.
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Meet the Team

The team behind ProperStagg Environmental Group brings together decades of experience in finance, business strategy, and sustainable innovation. With backgrounds in financial services, corporate accounting, and renewable technology development, they combine analytical precision with a deep commitment to environmental and social progress. Their collective expertise drives ProperStagg’s mission to create scalable, profitable solutions that reduce carbon emissions, generate renewable energy, and strengthen local communities.

Joseph A. Croteau, MBA

President | ProperStagg Environmental Group

Joseph “Joe” Croteau brings over 25 years of experience in financial services to his role as President of Proper Stagg Environmental Group, based in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Under his leadership, the company is advancing innovative solutions in biochar production, plastic recycling, and carbon reduction technologies. Prior to leading Proper Stagg, Joe worked with Palladium Capital, where he assisted numerous startup companies in raising capital and structuring financial strategies for growth. His extensive career in financial services includes leadership positions as Regional Claims Manager, Financial/Analyst Underwriter, Director of Third-Party Brokerage Sales, and Vice President of Trust Services at MassMutual Insurance Company.

Christopher P. Lapinski

Owner, Lapinski Electric INC
Owner, Wainscott Builders LLC

Vice President | ProperStagg Environmental Group

Christopher P. Lapinski is an accomplished contractor and business leader with over 40 years of experience in the construction industry. He has led numerous commercial, industrial, and municipal projects across New England, building a reputation for reliability, precision, and safety. In his role as Vice President of ProperStagg Environmental Group, Chris brings his extensive technical expertise and management experience to the company’s mission of advancing biochar production and carbon reduction technologies.
“What sparked my interest in the biochar industry was our potential to make a meaningful difference in this world by helping to create cleaner, more sustainable systems for future generations.”

John E. Turgeon, CPA

Founder & Managing Member, Turgeon & Associates, LLC

Chief Financial Officer | ProperStagg Environmental Group

John E. Turgeon is a seasoned Certified Public Accountant with over 40 years of experience serving closely held businesses, professional firms, and individual clients throughout Western Massachusetts. As Founder and Managing Member of Turgeon & Associates, LLC in East Longmeadow, he provides strategic accounting, tax, and advisory services, specializing in business planning, succession strategy, tax-exempt reorganizations, and valuation. Before founding his own firm in 2014, John was a Partner at Aubrey, Dixon & Turgeon LLC, leading special audits, quality control initiatives, and client advisory services for nearly three decades. He began his career as a Manager at KPMG Peat Marwick, focusing on audit, tax, and accounting for closely held businesses while gaining expertise in computerized accounting systems. John earned a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting), cum laude, from Western New England College. He is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, and he has served as Past President of the Western New England University Alumni Association.

Sarah A. Miller, Esq.

Law Offices of Sarah A. Miller, P.C.

Chief legal counsel | ProperStagg Environmental Group

Sarah A. Miller is an accomplished attorney with over 20 years of experience in Massachusetts law, specializing in estate planning, real estate, and corporate advisory services. Since establishing her solo practice in 2009, Sarah has built a reputation for providing strategic, detail- oriented counsel that balances legal precision with a deep understanding of her clients’ long- term goals. Her expertise spans estate and trust administration, real estate transactions, and business structuring—helping clients navigate complex legal and financial landscapes with confidence. Sarah’s early career in private practice from 2005 to 2009 provided the foundation for her hands-on, solution-driven approach, which continues to guide her work today. At the core of Sarah’s practice is a belief that law is not just about documentation, but about people. She is committed to delivering thoughtful, forward-looking legal strategies that protect assets, foster growth, and reflect the values of the individuals and organizations she serves.

Elizabeth “Eli” Hanechak

Director of Research & Development | ProperStagg Environmental Group

Elizabeth “Eli” Hanechak is an accomplished young researcher and student majoring in biochemistry and biological physics. She is currently attending Brandeis University (BASc, 2025–2029) and actively conducting research for ProperStagg Environmental Group. Eli has previously held research positions at the Stratton Lab at UMass Amherst, MIT’s Picower Institute of Learning and Memory and Westfield State University. She also works part-time as a Science Fair Coach with Crimson Education. Eli has earned a patent for her research on the artificially enhanced biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate, filed in 2024. Her work has earned numerous recognitions from organizations including National Geographic, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the American Society for Microbiology. Eli served as a Massachusetts delegate to the American Junior Academy of Science, where she was awarded a lifetime fellowship. This reflects her commitment to scientific research, innovation, and mentorship in STEM fields.

Kaylene A. Turgeon

FINANCIAL Controller | ProperStagg Environmental Group

Kaylene Turgeon is the Financial Controller at ProperStagg Environmental Group, where
she oversees financial operations, strategic planning, and performance management to support the company’s mission of advancing sustainable technology and environmental innovation. With over nine years of experience in financial services and accounting, Kaylene brings deep expertise in FP&A, financial control, and strategic analysis. Her background includes key roles at MassMutual and LPL Financial, where she honed her ability to streamline processes, implement data-driven financial systems, and align fiscal management with long-term organizational goals. Kaylene holds dual undergraduate degrees in Biology and Accounting, as well as a master’s degree in Forensic Accounting. She is known for her analytical rigor, creative problem- solving, and commitment to building smarter, more efficient financial frameworks.

Ariel S. DeJesus

Director of Strategic Planning and Business Development | ProperStagg Environmental Group

Ariel S. DeJesus serves as Director of Strategic Planning and Business Development at ProperStagg Environmental Group, where he oversees operations for one of the region’s most forward-thinking biochar and plastic recycling facilities. With more than 12 years of experience in the electrical industry and an Associate’s Degree in Energy Systems, Ariel brings a strong foundation in energy infrastructure, systems design, and sustainable innovation to his leadership role. At ProperStagg, Ariel’s focus is on turning waste into opportunity—advancing renewable energy, improving soil health through biochar application, and helping to build a cleaner, stronger future for local communities.

Doug Van Thorre- Business Development

Doug Van Thorre is a biomass energy entrepreneur and innovator with over 20 years of experience developing renewable fuel technologies. After selling a family dental practice, he shifted his focus to biomass conversion and sustainable energy solutions. As founder of VT Ventures, he has led the design and deployment of advanced biomass processing systems across the United States, Europe, and Central America. Doug holds 22 patents in the biomass sector and continues to advance scalable technologies that support renewable energy and carbon-reduction efforts.

Gary W. Lantta- Business Development

Gary W. Lantta is a marketing and business development executive with extensive experience in asset management, alternative investments, and capital formation. He has held senior roles at firms including Wealth Partners Capital, Burnham Asset Management, and David W. Tice & Associates, where he focused on expanding distribution and raising capital for investment platforms. Most recently, Gary served as Managing Director for a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) project, leading investor relations and supporting capital formation for major energy initiatives.