Mike Elder

Bio

With more than 39 years of experience in industrial biotechnology, Mike Elder is the Head of Business Relations – Regional Business Development for Novozymes, with responsibilities covering North America. His career progression has spanned a variety of functional disciplines within the company. Following his initial role in microbiology, Mike was promoted to Laboratory Manager. In addition, he served as a Quality Assurance Manager, Director of Quality and Waste Management, Director of Quality, Customer Service and Logistics. In 2000 he entered Sales, including Global Strategic Account Manager leading regional industry sales teams in North America and South America. As a strategic account manager for 17 years, Mike built his career on developing partnerships, including longstanding relationships with Cargill, Tate & Lyle, Anheuser-Busch, Ingredion, and PepsiCo. He has driven Novozymes business partnerships in 15 countries over the past decade. In his current role, he relies on his deep understanding of Novozymes’ technology and capabilities to find new business partners and opportunities for the company. He currently serves on several boards: The North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Foundation, the North Carolina Biosciences Organization, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, NC Biotechnology Center Ag Tech Advisory Council and the Industry Advisory Committee for Feed the Dialogue. He also serves on the Plant Science Advocacy Task Force and Board of Visitors for North Carolina State University. Mike earned a B.S. in chemistry from Gardner-Webb University.