Mario Rizos, Founder and CEO
Mr. Rizos, with a career spanning over 30 years in engineering and management, leads as the Founder and CEO. His expertise is rooted in managing large-scale infrastructure projects, high-tech agriculture initiatives, and green energy solutions globally, coupled with a deep understanding of multinational financing mechanisms. Mr. Rizos has been at the forefront of directing international sectors within prominent engineering and development corporations as well as multinational entities, successfully overseeing major projects funded by major financing and development agencies in both developed and emerging economies.
Mr. Rizos is the architect of the company’s strategic vision and the driving force behind the overall program direction while ensuring effective integration of U.S. and non-U.S.-based teams. He establishes the strategic direction of the company’s basic program requirements, defines partnerships and appropriate team members, and provides strategic direction and leadership to the team.
Kostas Drimeris, Operations & Regulatory Oversight
Mr. Drimeris joins Aurarius Investment Group with a rich 30-year history in leading major concession projects (BOT, BOOT) in Europe, including the 1.25 billion Euro International Airport of Athens, Greece, and the 1.3 billion Euro Attiki Odos, a 70 km toll urban highway, which stands as the largest co-financing road project in Europe. His role was instrumental in planning, controlling, and negotiating the financial terms, agreements, and regulations pertinent to the Concession and Operation Contracts of these significant BOOT projects.
In his role at Aurarius, Mr. Drimeris is entrusted with overseeing all field operations, which includes liaising with local authorities, managing land acquisition, conducting due diligence, setting pricing strategies, and maintaining regulatory compliance. His deep experience in managing large-scale infrastructure projects enriches our operational capabilities, enhancing our ability to adeptly navigate the intricate operational and regulatory frameworks.
Jason Matechak, General Counsel
Mr. Matechak joins Aurarius with a wealth of experience, boasting over 25 years in public procurement contracts and grants and 18 years in legal practice. His distinguished career has seen him serve a wide array of clients globally, specializing in government contracts and public procurement, compliance and governance, and international regulations and transactions.
As General Counsel, Mr. Matechak plays a pivotal role in enhancing our team’s capabilities in regulatory and contractual compliance, risk management, and oversight. His proficiency in commercial contract management is integral to ensuring that Aurarius adheres to the highest standards of legal and regulatory compliance. His extensive experience in international regulatory compliance and various legal domains, including employment, corporate structuring, and project management, is a vital asset to our operations.
Mr. Matechak’s experience in navigating the complexities of international business transactions and governance is particularly relevant to Aurarius. His proficiency in areas such as dispute resolution and false claims, as well as his experience in managing significant funded awards, aligns seamlessly with the needs of a dynamic and globally engaged company like Aurarius while underscoring our commitment to legal excellence and ethical business practices.
Godfrey Dol, High Tech Glasshouse Grower
Mr. Godfrey Dol is a renowned international glasshouse expert with a specialization in high-tech glasshouse tomatoes. His global experience spans seven countries and various climates, where he has consistently led greenhouse facilities to profitability in their inaugural year. Mr. Dol’s expertise extends beyond cultivation; he is adept in a range of critical areas, including site selection, project management, crop management, packing, and marketing. This comprehensive skill set ensures the best possible outcomes in glasshouse operations.
Recognized as one of the top growers in the semi-closed glasshouse sector, Mr. Dol is also well-respected for his insightful articles on this style of glasshouse. Mr. Dol’s contributions to the industry have been widely acknowledged. In 2013, he was honored with the prestigious Farmer of the Year award in Australia. He most recently worked as a consultant for the Automatoes team, which won first place in the Wageningen University-hosted Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge. This achievement highlights his ability to apply his extensive knowledge in innovative ways, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence and automation in glasshouse farming.
Mr. Dol’s role in Aurarius is integral to the advancement of our high-tech glasshouse operations. His unique blend of practical experience, technical knowledge, and innovative thinking drives our glasshouse projects to the forefront of the industry, ensuring not only technological advancement but also operational profitability and sustainability.
Craig Johnson, Technical Advisor & EPC Contracting
Mr. Johnson, with a career spanning over 35 years, is a globally recognized expert in engineering and construction management, particularly in the energy sector. His extensive experience includes the design and management of various infrastructure projects worldwide, with a special focus on energy-related developments. He has played key roles in significant international endeavors, such as the Program Manager for the Iraq Nationwide Infrastructure Reconstruction Program and the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief and Reconstruction Program.
Awarded the 2006 Charles Britzius Distinguished Engineer Award by the Minnesota Federation of Engineering, Science, and Technology Societies, Mr. Johnson also enriches the academic field as an adjunct professor in hydraulic engineering at the University of Missouri. His scholarly contributions include numerous publications on infrastructure redevelopment
In his pivotal role at Aurarius, Mr. Johnson applies his extensive global experience and expertise to oversee engineering, construction management, and quality assurance across Aurarius portfolio of projects. His focus encompasses a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines, ensuring that each project adheres to the highest standards of quality and efficiency. His leadership in drafting EPC contracts and providing engineering advisory services is integral to the successful execution and management of Aurarius’s projects worldwide, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our global operations.
Adam Nikolopoulos
, Senior Project Financing
Mr. Nicolopoulos brings to the team over 25 years of global expertise in advising, structuring, and financing significant projects across clean energy, transportation, and sustainability sectors, primarily in Europe, North America, and emerging markets. His track record includes the successful closure of more than 16 transactions, cumulatively valued at over $8 billion, earning him two prestigious “deal-of-the-year” awards for his financial acumen in Europe.
Prior to joining our team, Mr. Nicolopoulos held key positions at UBS Warburg, Swiss Bank, and NatWest Markets in London, New York, and Zurich. His extensive experience encompasses a broad range of financial services, particularly in project financing and capital structuring. Mr. Nicolopoulos has also served as an advisor to eight national governments, including Greece, focusing on the implementation of critical infrastructure projects. His academic contributions are notable as well, having been a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University. Moreover, his expertise has been sought in infrastructure arbitration and litigation cases, where he has acted as an Expert Witness.
Mr. Nicolopoulos is responsible for leading the strategic direction in project financing. He plays a pivotal role in advising on capital structure and risk mitigation, identifying and negotiating with potential investors, and directing financial modeling. His guidance is instrumental in building robust budgets, EBITDA forecasts, and cash flow predictions, thereby shaping the financial landscape and contributing to the sustainable growth of Aurarius.
Advisory Board
Teresa Mastrangelo joins Aurarius from a long career in international economic development assistance, having held executive positions at Cardno Emerging Markets, Deloitte, and had an early tenure at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of business innovation and social change: combining private sector development with a mission to improve people’s lives.
Ms. Mastrangelo has applied her business acumen in multiple analytical and technical capacities from matching US direct investors to opportunities in developing countries to encouraging small businesses and business development service providers to mass privatization, small scale and strategic privatization programs. She holds an M.B.A. in Finance from George Washington University.
Jeffrey Grieco is a foreign policy expert with senior leadership experience within the U.S. Government and private sector.
As a U.S. Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee he served as Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs at the U.S. Agency for International Development/U.S. Department of State during the Administration of George W. Bush. His portfolio dealt with USAID’s $20+ billion humanitarian and development portfolio and programs in more than eighty countries. Prior to joining USAID, Mr. Grieco served as international government relations and business development counsel for major multinational corporations such as Westinghouse ESG, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Hyundai and AT&T.
He currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the Society for International Development-Washington Chapter (SID-W), the largest trade association of the international development and humanitarian community as well as President/CEO of the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC). Grieco graduated from Georgetown University’s Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service where he obtained a Masters Degree in Foreign Relations. He received a fellowship for graduate studies in comparative international management at Oxford University’s Templeton College. He received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.