Downland welcomes Marine Corp veteran from McCombs School of Business for CleanTech Fellows spring cohort
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUSTIN, TX – February 4, 2026 – Downland, a fintech startup specializing in business succession for food and farm businesses, welcomes Brian White to its team as a CleanTech Fellow from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. White, Class of 2027, joins Downland as part of the competitive CleanTech Fellows program, continuing the company’s partnership with UT Austin.
The CleanTech Fellowship is a selective leadership program designed to provide Texas MBA students with deep industry knowledge through immersive experiences in the clean technology sector. Fellows dedicate part of their weekly class schedule to working on sustainability-focused companies in sectors like agtech, carbon capture, renewable energy, electric vehicles and more.
Hailing from Houston, TX, White is a 10-year Marine Corps veteran with a distinguished background in operational planning and aviation operations. He holds a Master of Science in Information Warfare Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, where he graduated with distinction, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Most recently, White served as a Department of Defense SkillBridge Fellow at NASA, where he supported spacecraft imagery systems engineering for the Artemis program.
“I joined the CleanTech Group because I’m curious about how the increasing demand for energy and society’s electrification will affect the energy transition,” said White. “I’m excited to work with Downland because I recently started hunting on land passed down through my family, so I have developed an interest in how land ownership can support biodiversity and sustainability.”
Downland addresses one of American agriculture’s most pressing challenges: business succession. Over 70% of farms in the United States will change hands in the next two decades, representing over 1,500,000 family farms. Many of these operations lack formal succession plans, putting billions of dollars in farmland assets at risk. Downland’s fintech platform helps families navigate estate planning and business transition, and for those without an heir, connects farm owners with qualified operators seeking land access.
“Brian brings an exceptional combination of leadership, technical expertise, and personal connection to land stewardship,” said Jessi Roesch, CEO and Founder of Downland. “His military background in operational planning and systems engineering, combined with his genuine interest in how land ownership can support sustainability, makes him an ideal addition to our team as we work to solve the farmland succession challenge.”
White joins a growing roster of CleanTech Fellows who have contributed to Downland’s mission. Earlier this year, Max Lies and Mary Ann Talbot, Class of 2026, joined the team, bringing diverse perspectives from energy finance and public sector consulting to support Downland’s work in agricultural business succession.
About Downland. Downland is a fintech startup dedicated to solving the farmland succession crisis by improving land access for the next generation of farmers. Through estate planning tools and business succession services, Downland empowers families who wish to keep their farm in agriculture even if there’s not an heir interested in carrying on the operation by matching with a skilled farmer in search of land.
About CleanTech Fellows Program. The CleanTech Fellows program at the University of Texas at Austin provides MBA students with hands-on experience in clean technology, preparing them for leadership roles in sustainability-focused industries. Through partnerships with innovative companies the program fosters collaboration and industry-driven solutions for a more sustainable future.
Media Contact: hello@godownland.com
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