Iowa biodiesel business leaders and farmers elected a new chair Sept. 14 during the Annual Meeting of the Iowa Biodiesel Board. Tom Brooks, general manager of biodiesel producer Western Dubuque Biodiesel in Farley, Iowa, will lead the organization for the next year, and up to a three-year term.

“This is an exciting time for biodiesel in Iowa, with our state leading in production and leading in positive state policies that foster supply and demand,” Brooks said. “I look forward to leading the organization as biodiesel continues to bring tangible economic, energy security and environmental benefits to Iowa and America.”

Other officers of the organization are:

-Vice Chair: Brad Wilson, Western Iowa Energy (newly elected)

-Treasurer: Ron Heck; soybean farmer from Perry, Iowa

-Secretary: Dawn Carlson, Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa

Chad Stone, chief financial officer of Renewable Energy Group Inc., is stepping down as chair to focus on serving as a director on the National Biodiesel Board. REG’s Doug Lenhart, executive director of procurement and logistics, will take his place as a director on IBB.

“I look forward to working with IBB members and stakeholders as we continue to grow the production and consumption of cleaner-burning advanced biofuel in Iowa and beyond,” Lenhart said.

According to a study by Cardno Entrix, in 2015, Iowa’s operating biodiesel plants produced a record 242 million gallons of biodiesel. The industry supported more than 3,000 jobs and contributed almost $345 million in GDP.

Biodiesel is made from a diverse mix of resources. These include recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats.

The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a state trade association representing the biodiesel industry.