Biodiesel producer to lead IRFA board of directors

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Web exclusive posted Dec. 21, 2008, at 12:17 p.m. CST

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association has announced its 2009 Board of Directors and Executive Committee, each of which consists of members representing the ethanol, biodiesel and agricultural industries.

Monte Shaw will continue as IRFA executive director, a position he has held since 2005.

Denny Mauser, with biodiesel producer Western Iowa Energy has become president of the IRFA. The position was previously held by Bill Couser of Lincolnway Energy. Mauser served as IRFA vice president in 2008.

Nile Ramsbottom with biodiesel producer REG Inc. was appointed vice president, after serving as last year's IRFA secretary.

Quad County Corn Processors' Mike Jerke, previously IRFA treasurer, was elected the association's secretary.

Walter Wendland of ethanol producer Golden Grain Energy will serve as IRFA treasurer. In the past, he has served as president and also as an officer.

IRFA Executive Committee Officers elected were: Bruce Rastetter of Hawkeye Renewables, returning to the position from last year; and Central Iowa Energy's Jeremie Parr.

Shaw said this is the first time the IRFA will be led by a board member representing a biodiesel producer. "This does not represent a change in focus for IRFA," he said. "Rather, it simply highlights how Iowa's biofuels producers are working together during this difficult time to return the state's renewable energy ag economy to the positive driving force it's been for rural Iowa in the past."

According to the IRFA, Iowa has 36 ethanol refineries with an annual capacity of nearly 2.9 billion gallons; seven facilities currently under construction or expansion will add nearly 850 million gallons of annual capacity.

The state is also home to 14 biodiesel production facilities which have a combined annual capacity of more than 317 million gallons. Two facilities under construction or expansion will add 35 million gallons of annual capacity.