July 30, 2014
BY Flint Hills Resources
Flint Hills Resources has hired Russell Leighton and Jeremy Morse to lead the Duonix biodiesel plant in Beatrice, Neb. The biodiesel plant is part of a joint venture between Flint Hills Resources and Benefuel Inc., known as Duonix LLC. In May, Flint Hills Resources announced they would begin retrofitting the plant in preparation for the first commercial-scale use of an innovative biodiesel technology from Benefuel, called Ensel. Leighton and Morse will serve as plant manager and production manager, respectively.
Russell Leighton has more than 25 years of experience in the oil, gas and chemical industries and will be responsible for overall management and administration of the facility. Prior to joining Flint Hills Resources, Russell oversaw quality management systems in the U.S. and abroad as director of operations for Tetra Technologies.
Jeremy Morse will serve as production manager, focusing on the startup and commissioning of the new plant. Most recently, Morse was plant superintendent of AGP in Algona, Iowa, where he was responsible for maintaining plant operations and product quality.
“We are excited to welcome Russell and Jeremy to the Flint Hills Resources team,” said Michael Harris, biofuels ventures manager for Flint Hills Resources. “Their leadership will help drive our biodiesel operations as we prepare to start full-scale production next year and bring this innovative new biodiesel technology to life.”
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Since the May announcement, Flint Hills Resources has been recruiting qualified candidates to work at the plant, which is expected to commence operations next summer. Once fully staffed, the plant will employ about 45 people locally. For more information on openings at this and the company’s other renewable facilities, click here. www.FHRCareers.com
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