Pieter Pottas

Led development of 71,000 hectares of Jatropha plantations for carbon credits in partnership with BP. Negotiated extraction facility expansions and launched sustainable smart farming programs.

Founded and scaled Vireon as a boutique advisory firm delivering cross-sector solutions in sustainability, education, and green technologies. Led strategy, operations, and client engagement across multiple domains, including carbon-neutral farming, municipal waste transformation, and agritech innovation.

Led transition and organizational expansion from 500 to 2,000+ students. Diversified revenue streams, streamlined cross-border processes, and implemented risk controls.

Spearheaded operations and strategic growth, driving a 20% expansion in institutional performance. Led international partnerships, regulatory compliance, and recruitment pipelines.

Implemented a RM 64M expansion project, repositioning the university competitively in Malaysia. Managed staffing models, strategic marketing, and international student enrollment campaigns.

Directed research strategy, grant acquisition, and commercialization of sustainable technologies. Developed and led a high-performance R&D team aligned with institutional and state-level priorities.

Oversaw multinational mining and logistics operations, reversing a RM 1.2M deficit into profitability. Implemented restructuring, new business acquisition, and performance monitoring systems.

Directed EU 130M mining and smelting operations, expanding tin output by 4 MT/day. Led an LED joint venture and secured government contracts for low-energy building retrofits.

Managed regional operations across Malaysia, Thailand, and beyond. Boosted productivity by 34% through plant optimization in Malaysia and Thailand.

Managed palm oil mill projects and plantation infrastructure in Sumatra with a US$26M value. Oversaw manufacturing strategy, exports, and high-value client development.

Led operations across 92,000 hectares and 3 mills in Papua New Guinea with a US$16M value. Directed palm oil and cocoa processing, engineering, and infrastructure development.

Managed start-to-finish construction and commissioning of pulp and paper projects in Sumatra. Ensured adherence to project timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

Led plant maintenance and engineering for pulp and paper facilities in South Africa and Swaziland. Implemented preventative maintenance programs to optimize operational efficiency.

Oversaw mechanical maintenance and project upgrades for petrochemical refineries. Ensured the reliability and safety of critical plant equipment.

Currently pursuing a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration. This program focuses on the strategic and operational aspects of managing educational institutions.

Completed a PhD in Business Administration and Strategic Management. This advanced degree provided expertise in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and business development.

Obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. The curriculum covered core business principles, management theories, and analytical skills essential for organizational success.

Earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. This program provided a strong foundation in engineering principles, design, and problem-solving.

Obtained TEFL Certification from Teachers Record, TEFL Professional Institute. This certification equipped me with the skills and knowledge to teach English as a foreign language.