Biodiesel industry elects governing board, officers, new chairman

National Biodiesel Board members selected their association leadership this week as part of the organization’s membership meeting in Washington, D.C. Members voted to fill eight positions on the 15-person board and new officers were elected.

“The biodiesel industry is on pace for record production in 2013 but the challenges facing this industry are significant,” said new NBB Chairman Steven J. Levy. “I am optimistic about our future as we face those challenges with a strong and diverse trade association membership united for the good of the industry, consumers, and the general public.”

Dozens of biodiesel stakeholders from across the country met with leaders on Capitol Hill on the renewable fuel standard (RFS) and to voice strong disappointment with the Obama administration’s recent proposal for next year’s renewable fuels volumes.

Officers elected to lead the board are: Chairman, Steven J. Levy; Vice Chairman, Ron Marr; Treasurer, Mike Cunningham; and Secretary, Greg Anderson. Newly elected governing board members include:

-Todd Ellis, Imperium Renewables

-Kent Engelbrecht, ADM

-Gary Haer, Renewable Energy Group

-Ed Hegland, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council

-Ron Marr, Minnesota Soybean Processors

-Bob Metz, South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Coucil

-Robert Stobaugh, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board

-Ed Ulch, Iowa Soybean Association

The following members continue to serve on the governing board:

-Greg Anderson, Nebraska Soybean Board

-Jennifer Case, New Leaf Biofuel, LLC

-Mike Cunningham, American Soybean Association

-Brandon Foley, Sanimax Energy

-Steven J. Levy, Sprague Operating Resources LLC

-Timothy Keaveney, HERO BX

-John Wright, Owensboro Grain Company

Biodiesel is the first and only commercial-scale fuel produced across the U.S. to meet the EPA’s definition as an advanced biofuel—meaning the EPA has determined that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent when compared with petroleum diesel. Produced in nearly every state in the country, the industry has exceeded RFS requirements in every year of the program, producing more than 1 billion gallons annually since 2011. This year’s production is supporting more than 62,000 jobs nationwide. NBB is the U.S. biodiesel trade association.