Coffee with a Founder Podcast: Todd Thomas, WoodChuck.ai

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00:00 — Turning storm-felled trees into renewable energy
Todd Thomas introduces WoodChuck, a wood waste diversion and renewable energy platform. He explains how fallen trees and discarded wood are often left in piles or buried in landfills, creating fire and disease risks. WoodChuck redirects that material into energy feedstock, transforming a waste-management problem into a renewable resource.

05:44 — Launching Starving for Innovation
Todd discusses how writing articles about biomass and bioenergy eventually led to publishing books about AI, data centers, energy, and entrepreneurship. His latest book, Starving for Innovation, draws from those experiences to offer founders a practical template for building and growing innovative companies.

08:10 — Hiring a military veteran to lead logistics
Todd explains why WoodChuck hired Matt Wheeler to oversee logistics and operations. He highlights the value veterans bring to operational roles, particularly their experience coordinating complex systems, solving problems under pressure, and maintaining discipline as a company expands.

12:24 — Giving companies detailed sustainability reports
WoodChuck’s AI-powered platform allows customers to track and audit where their wood waste goes instead of relying on vague sustainability claims. Todd explains how the company provides detailed reports showing how much material was diverted, where it went, and how it was repurposed—helping clients such as Amazon document their environmental impact.

14:51 — Expanding WoodChuck’s work with Amazon
Todd shares how WoodChuck’s flexible platform allowed the team to quickly begin tracking additional materials for Amazon. The example demonstrates how trust, a strong working relationship, and adaptable technology helped Woodchuck expand beyond its initial service without requiring an entirely new operational system.

18:28 — Making data centers benefit their communities
As data center development accelerates, Todd argues that communities should expect more from these projects. He outlines three standards: data centers should bring their own power while supporting the grid, use closed-loop water systems with heat recapture, and generate a meaningful tax surplus that directly benefits the surrounding community.

21:40 — Writing a practical guide to innovation
Todd reflects on the difficult process of writing and revising Starving for Innovation, including the importance of strong editing and making complex ideas engaging. He explains how the book’s lessons extend beyond startups, offering a framework for anyone navigating entrepreneurship, innovation, and the challenge of turning ambitious ideas into viable businesses.