Big Island Biodiesel names Griffith plant operations manager

Big Island Biodiesel announced that John G. Griffith has been named plant operations manager for the biodiesel processing facility in Keaau. Griffith, a Maui local returning to Hawaii after 30 years on the mainland, will be overseeing daily plant operations at BIB to ensure optimal performance and adherence to standard operating procedures.

Big Island Biodiesel is Pacific Biodiesel Technologies’ most technologically advanced biodiesel refinery to date and was featured on the cover of the January/February issue of Biodiesel Magazine.Biodiesel production at the 5.5 million gallon per year plant was initiated in December and the equipment is now in the final stages of commissioning.

Robert King, PBT founder and chairman of the board, is excited to have Griffith’s expertise and track record in the position that is responsible for operations at the state-of-the-art facility.

“John fills a critical position at a critical stage in operations,” stated King. “He also comes to us as a returning Hawaii resident and hiring local is an important part of our business model.”

Griffith comes to BIB with 18 years of experience in plant operations and managerial work from Hewlett Packard Co. in Corvallis, Ore. He rose through the ranks to become Operations Manager where he was responsible for developing a high-quality auditing process and creating an employee concern and input process, which was incorporated into work center and organizational improvement efforts.

Along with his outstanding performance at Hewlett Packard Co., management welcomes Griffith as a returning Hawaii resident. Griffith attended Lihikai Elementary School on Maui and graduated from St. Anthony High School before working for Maui Land and Pineapple Inc. and Maui Island Tours at the Kahului airport. “I am extremely excited about returning to Hawaii and joining the Big Island Biodiesel Team,” said Griffith, “I look forward to helping BIB bring zero-waste fuel processing and sustainable economic growth to the Big Island and the State of Hawaii.”

Griffith officially started work Feb. 11, beginning with a training period at PBT’s affiliated biodiesel facility in Salem, Ore.