Monte Shaw
Executive Director
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

• Professional Biography

  Mr. Shaw joined the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) as Executive Director in 2005. Mr. Shaw is responsible for the overall management of the trade association. Prior to the IRFA, Mr. Shaw worked for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) in Washington, DC as Director of Communications for nearly six years. In addition to press duties, Mr. Shaw oversaw statistical and research work and also served as the association’s point person for state legislative issues. Mr. Shaw began his career by working for the campaigns and official offices of numerous candidates and elected officials. Mr. Shaw was raised on a corn and soybean farm just outside of the southwest Iowa town of Shenandoah. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He currently resides in West Des Moines with his wife Tina, daughter Eden, son Max, and two ornery dogs.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Biodiesel Blending Economics

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

  - Trade Issues

  - Biodiesel and Livestock

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - No

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Derek Winkel
Executive Director, Manufacturing
Renewable Energy Group

• Professional Biography

  For more than 15 years, Derek Winkel has been responsible for managing manufacturing operations in the chemical and renewable fuel industries. Currently, Mr. Winkel serves as Executive Director, Manufacturing Operations of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. As Executive Director, Manufacturing Operations, Mr. Winkel coordinates the efficient operation of the company’s 13 operating plants by leading a team that monitors plant performance, analyzes data and drives continuous improvement to increase margins and quality. In addition, Mr. Winkel oversees corporate process engineering and environmental, health and safety support for the plants. Mr. Winkel is also a key contributor in the selection and commercialization of new technology and plant acquisition due diligence. Mr. Winkel joined REG in 2006 as the General Manager of REG Newton LLC during its construction and successfully led the plant through start-up and continued operations until transitioning to his current position full time in 2010. Prior to joining REG, Mr. Winkel served as the Technical Manager for a 30 million gallon per year ethanol facility. Mr. Winkel received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Fuel Quality/ASTM Specifications

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Emerging Technology

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Brad Wilson
President
Western Iowa Energy / Agron Bioenergy

• Professional Biography

  Brad Wilson, President and General Manager as of Feb. 1, 2016, he joined the Western Iowa team in March of 2011 as the Chief Financial Officer of the company and was named Western Iowa Energy’s Vice President in early 2012 and Executive Vice President in late 2014. He was voted to the Iowa Biodiesel Board in 2013 and remains an IBB director and also began 2017 as a director for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Wilson began his career in the Agribusiness industry with Gardiner Thomsen, CPA’s as a financial auditor, auditing farmer-owned cooperatives across the central U.S. region. Since then, he’s worked as an Internal Auditor and Business Analyst with West Central Cooperative in Ralston, Iowa (currently, Landus Cooperative). While at WCC, Wilson spearheaded accounting and finance functions for the company’s network of biodiesel plants. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Business Administration degree from Iowa State University. Originally from Paton, IA and is married with four children.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Trade Issues

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Thomas Brooks
General Manager
Western Dubuque Biodiesel

• Professional Biography

  Tom currently serves as the General Manager of Western Dubuque Biodiesel (WDB). Western Dubuque Biodiesel is a 30 Million gallon production facility located in Farley, Iowa. It is owned by 557 local Iowa investors. Tom has served as their GM for the past 11 years. He currently serves as a Director, and Executive Board Member (past President) of the IRFA (Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) as well as a Director, and Executive Board Member (Chairman) of the IBB (Iowa Biodiesel Board).

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Fuel Quality/ASTM Specifications

  - Biodiesel Blending Economics

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

  - Depends on the event and location

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Troy Shoen
Sr. Manager, Marketing
Renewable Energy Group

• Professional Biography

  Troy Shoen has been an expert in marketing various aspects of the advanced biofuels industry for the past seven years. For six years he managed marketing efforts for a biofuels feedstock and animal feed ingredient company before joining Renewable Energy Group as Senior Manager, Marketing in July 2015. He currently leads the efforts to promote the economic and value-added benefits of integrating biodiesel into distributor and retailer fuel programs. Troy holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Iowa in addition to Bachelor Degrees in Journalism and Communication Studies.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Blending Economics

  - Fuel Marketing and Retail Sales

  - Biodiesel Use for Fleets

  - Biodiesel Use for On-Road Vehicles

  - Biodiesel Use for Farm Equipment

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - No

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Gary Haer
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Renewable Energy Group

• Professional Biography

  For more than 15 years, Gary Haer has been at the forefront of the biodiesel industry. As the biodiesel industry began to take shape in early 2000, Mr. Haer served as the National Sales and Marketing Manager for biodiesel for West Central. As REG emerged from West Central, he took the help coordinating the Sales and Marketing department including national and international biodiesel sales. In 2010, Mr. Haer's sales team was responsible for approximately 25 percent of all biodiesel sold in the United States. Currently, Mr. Haer serves as the Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board and a member of the Political Action Committee.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Fuel Quality/ASTM Specifications

  - Biodiesel Blending Economics

  - Fuel Marketing and Retail Sales

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Biodiesel Use for Fleets

  - Biodiesel Use for On-Road Vehicles

  - Biodiesel Use for Farm Equipment

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

  - Trade Issues

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - No

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Kent Hartwig
Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs
Renewable Energy Group

• Professional Biography

  Kent Hartwig is a Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs focusing on state and local government issues for Ames, Iowa based Renewable Energy Group (REG). Mr. Hartwig joined REG in December 2015 and has more than 19 years of experience working with state and local governments. Prior to joining REG, Kent engaged legislators on behalf of the Iowa and Minnesota Senates, Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and Advocacy Strategies, an Iowa based multi-client lobbying firm. Kent graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Political Science. Renewable Energy Group, Inc. is a leading North American advanced biofuels producer and developer of renewable chemicals. REG utilizes a nationwide production, distribution and logistics system as part of an integrated value chain model to focus on converting natural fats, oils and greases into advanced biofuels and converting diverse feedstocks into renewable chemicals. With 12 active biorefineries across the country, research and development capabilities and a diverse and growing intellectual property portfolio, REG is committed to being a long-term leader in bio-based fuels and chemicals.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Biodiesel Use for On-Road Vehicles

  - Biodiesel Use for Farm Equipment

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - No

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Dave Slade
Executive Director, Biofuels Technology & Services
Renewable Energy Group

• Professional Biography

  As Executive Director, Biofuel Technology & Services, Dave Slade focuses on technical issues throughout Renewable Energy Group’s biofuel production and distribution network. Dave leads REG’s Technical Services team that works to improve production quality and efficiency at REG’s production facilities and provides technical support to petroleum companies, engine manufacturers, transportation fleets, and city, state and federal agencies as they incorporate biodiesel and renewable hydrocarbon diesel into their fuel programs. REG is a leading advanced biofuels producer and developer of renewable chemicals. REG operates 11 biomass-based diesel plants across the United States with the capacity to produce 452 million gallons per year.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Fuel Quality/ASTM Specifications

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Emerging Technology

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - No

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Kelsey Erickson
Team Leader, Quality Support
Renewable Energy Group

• Professional Biography

  As Team Leader, Quality Support, Kelsey Erickson focuses on technical issues throughout Renewable Energy Group’s biofuel production and distribution network. Kelsey works in REG’s Technical Services team which focuses on improving production quality and efficiency at REG’s production facilities and provides technical support to petroleum companies, engine manufacturers, transportation fleets, and city, state and federal agencies as they incorporate biodiesel and renewable hydrocarbon diesel into their fuel programs.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Fuel Quality/ASTM Specifications

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Biodiesel and Livestock

  - Emerging Technology

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - No

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Jon Scharingson
Executive Director, Sales & Marketing
Renewable Energy Group

• Professional Biography

  Jon Scharingson is the Executive Director, Sales and Marketing for Renewable Energy Group (REG), REG is the nation’s leading producer and marketer of biodiesel and renewable diesel selling over 500 million gallons of fuel in 2016. As Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Scharingson oversees the company’s marketing activities and is responsible for business development with fleets, national accounts and identifying new terminal asset opportunities. Prior to joining REG, Mr. Scharingson spent 17 years in the seeds, crop protection and the agriculture biotechnology industries, having worked for Imperial Chemical Industries, AstraZeneca and Syngenta. He held several senior management roles in business strategy, business development and marketing. Mr. Scharingson has a BBA in Management and an MBA in Marketing from Iowa State University.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Blending Economics

  - Fuel Marketing and Retail Sales

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Biodiesel Use for Fleets

  - Biodiesel Use for On-Road Vehicles

  - Biodiesel Use for Farm Equipment

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

  - Trade Issues

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - No

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Denny Mauser
Board Member
Western Iowa Energy, Agron Bioenergy & Western Dubuque Biodiesel

• Professional Biography

  Denny Mauser has served as a Director of Western Iowa Energy, LLC since its inception and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of both Western Iowa Energy and Agron Bioenergy Mr. Mauser farmed for 47 years in Buena Vista and Sac Counties, retiring in 2017. He is Past President of the Board of Directors of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and formerly served on the National Biodiesel Board. He also served as President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Members, the Schaller Community School Board, and as President of Sac County Rural Electric Cooperative. Mr. Mauser is also a member of the Board of Directors of Western Dubuque Biodiesel, LLC. In Farley, Iowa. Mr. Mauser previously served on the board of Directors of Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC and Central Iowa Energy, LLC.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Biodiesel Use for Farm Equipment

  - Biodiesel and Livestock

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

  - International

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Kevin Ross
Board Member
Western Iowa Energy

• Professional Biography

  Kevin is a sixth-generation family farmer from Minden, Iowa, where he lives with his wife, Sara, and four sons, Hudson, Axten, Carver and Hollis. Their family grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa, and operates a 140-head cow/calf operation. He is on the Board of Directors for Western Iowa Energy and has held leadership positions with several organizations including National Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Biodiesel Use for On-Road Vehicles

  - Biodiesel Use for Farm Equipment

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

  - Trade Issues

  - Biodiesel and Livestock

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

  - International

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

David May
Fleet Manager
Iowa Department of Transportation

• Professional Biography

  David is the husband of Anne and the father of three children, Cecilia 23, Dennis 13, and Daniel 11. David has been the fleet manager for the Iowa Department of Transportation since 1997 and directs the fuel operations at 53 DOT garages around the state. In that capacity he has been responsible for incorporating biofuels into his fleet operations for the past twenty one years. In 2017 his fleet used over 59,000 gallons of neat (pure) biodiesel. David is a National Biodiesel Board Biodiesel Ambassador and he served on the Iowa Ethanol Promotion Board. David’s educational background includes a baccalaureate in Accounting from Iowa State University and Masters in Business Administration from Drake University. He is also a graduate of the Certified Public Manager course, the United States Command and General Staff College, and the Defense Information Public Affairs Officers Qualification Course. David retired from the military after nearly 30 years of service. His assignments include Platoon Leader and Company Commander in a transportation truck company, Training Officer assignment with a petroleum transport battalion. He is a veteran of the both the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom and has a good understanding of our countries dependence on petroleum and the freedom provided by renewable biofuels.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Use for Fleets

  - Biodiesel Use for On-Road Vehicles

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

  - National

  - International

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Grant Kimberley
Executive Director
Iowa Biodiesel Board

• Professional Biography

  Grant Kimberley is the director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB). Kimberley is responsible for all marketing and demand-building initiatives for ISA. This includes working with soybean industry partners, including the National Biodiesel Board, exporters and processors, along with the U.S. Soybean Export Council offices in the U.S., Asia, Europe and Latin America. Grant became the Executive Director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board in 2014. The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a state trade association representing the biodiesel industry and works to coordinate and lead policy efforts in Iowa on behalf of the biodiesel industry. During Grant's time working on biodiesel initiatives for ISA, he manages biodiesel education and marketing programs for ISA in cooperation with the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). Grant and his colleagues at ISA have also helped to organize and coordinate a regional petroleum and mechanics education program in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota. In addition to his responsibilities at the Iowa Biodiesel Board and the Iowa Soybean Association, he farms with his father near Maxwell, Iowa. He began farming while in college in 1995 and became the sixth generation of his family to farm in the U.S.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

  - Trade Issues

  - Biodiesel and Livestock

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Hoon Ge
President
MEG Corp

• Professional Biography

  Hoon Ge, founder and president of MEG Corp, is a chemical engineer with more than 30 years in the petroleum industry including refining, additive formulation and alternative fuels. Prior to starting MEG Corp in 2005, Hoon worked for several well-known companies, including Koch Refining, and Schaeffer Manufacturing. While at Koch Refining for 10 years, he was responsible for blending diesel and gasoline. At Schaeffer Manufacturing, he managed the fuel additives division for 9 years. MEG Corp is an industry leader in fuel consulting and testing services, providing technical support to fuel industries and end users. MEG Corp conducts more than 100 events per year to educate fuel suppliers, end users, automotive technicians and diesel mechanics about diesel and biodiesel to increase understanding of these fuels and their role in the fuel market.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Fuel Quality/ASTM Specifications

  - Biodiesel Blending Economics

  - Fuel Marketing and Retail Sales

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Biodiesel Feedstocks

  - Biodiesel Use for Fleets

  - Biodiesel Use for On-Road Vehicles

  - Biodiesel Use for Farm Equipment

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

  - Depends on the Location

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Cassidy Walter
Communications Director, Biodiesel Lead
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

• Professional Biography

  Cassidy is the Communications Director for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. In addition to serving as IRFA's Biodiesel Lead, her primary responsibilities include public relations, media relations, member communication, social media management, website management, and facilitating the IRFA Biodiesel Promotion Committee and executing promotion projects. Prior to joining IRFA, Cassidy worked in the Iowa Statehouse as a clerk and as the Central Iowa Field Director for Senator Chuck Grassley's 2016 campaign. Cassidy has a BA in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Iowa.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Biodiesel Blending Economics

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Biodiesel Use for Fleets

  - Biodiesel Use for On-Road Vehicles

  - Biodiesel Use for Farm Equipment

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

  - Trade Issues

  - Biodiesel and Livestock

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

  - Statewide

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - No

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Robert Brown
Professor of Engineering
Iowa State University

• Professional Biography

  Dr. Brown is Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering and Gary and Donna Hoover Chair in Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University (ISU). Dr. Brown is the founding director of the Bioeconomy Institute (BEI), which coordinates ISU’s research, educational, and outreach activities related to biobased products and bioenergy. His research interests focus on the thermochemical processing of biomass into energy, fuels and chemicals. He has written widely on bioenergy, including the textbook Biorenewable Resources: Engineering New Products from Agriculture. His book Why Are We Producing Biofuels for general readership received the Book of the Year Award from Biofuels Digest in 2012.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Biodiesel Production

  - Environmental Benefits of Biodiesel

  - Emerging Technology

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

• Honorarium Required?

  - No

Dermot Hayes
Professor
Iowa State University

• Professional Biography

  Dermot Hayes is a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. He holds the Pioneer Hi-Bred International Chair in Agribusiness, he is a professor of economics, and a professor of finance.

• Areas of Expertise

  - Economic Impact of Biodiesel

  - Trade Issues

• Willing to Travel?

  - Yes

• Distance willing to travel

  - Regional

• Travel Expense Coverage

  - Yes

• Honorarium Required?

  - No