2108 140th Ave, PO Box 21, Algona IA 50511
515-395-8888, 515-395-8891 fax
East Fork welcomes:
Lance White, Operations Manager
“We are extremely fortunate to be able to acquire the experience and expertise of Lance, who has a degree in chemical engineering. He is already heavily involved in the testing prior to start up.” –Ken Clark
Lance joined East Fork Biodiesel this past summer as operations manager. His prior work experience has been in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, polymers and specialty fine chemicals. Lance originally hails from New York City; currently, commuting from Mason City to Algona. He obtained a bachelors degree in chemical engineering from the City College of New York (CCNY) and a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati. Lance resides in Mason City with his wife Marva.
East Fork ALSO welcomes:
Lori Finch, Quality Assurance Manager
Prior to joining the team at East Fork Biodiesel, I have been working for REG (Renewable Energy Group) in the lab, at the Ralston plant since April 2007. I have gained a lot of knowledge in that time on the ASTM standards for Biodiesel fuel. I have also had quite a bit of training for BQ9000.
My previous work experience for the past 13 years has been lab testing and lab management in health care facilities.
I live in Britt with my husband Ron Finch, a farmer (Britt area). I have 2 children: Gabby is 7 and is a first grader at West Hancock and Erik is 18 and is a freshman at Waldorf College in Forest City.
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Construction Update:
The Todd and Sargent team has wiring, piping and general construction almost complete. The plant is moving into the final phase of construction; testing/pre-start-up.
REG’s start-up team is on site.
They are checking tanks, motors, computers and control systems to ensure everything has been done to design specifications.
They have begun water batching. This is the step where water is run through the pipes, pumps and vessels to check for leaks.
The larger outside tanks have already been hydro tested (filled with water) and certified.
The Natural Gas pipe line has been installed and is providing fuel to the plant.
The waste water treatment system will be complete around mid-November.
From the General Manager:
Dave Rosenmeyer
“Irrational exuberance” that is the term Allan Greenspan used to describe the dot com fueled, stock market boom of the early 1990’s. It can also be used to describe the soybean oil market of today.
We have some of the largest bean oil inventories in history and some of the highest prices for bean oil. Since bean oil is the main input for the plant, the higher price has eroded margins.
REG’s risk management team continues to look for opportunities. They are providing recommendations on bean oil, energies and other markets to try an improve margins
We received a large number of qualified applicants and are excited about the skill level they have to offer East Fork Biodiesel. When economic conditions dictate we will begin the hiring process.
Railroad
Tank Farm
Load Out for railcars
Lab
PRESIDENT’S CORNER:
Finally, the construction end is in sight!! The plant is in its final stage of construction and is moving into the “shake down” and test phases prior to start up. All of our contractors have done an excellent job in moving this project to completion. As a company, we are looking forward to the completion of construction, testing and proving out the design of our plant. Please see the construction update for details.
Membership Transfers:
Any transfer, which is approved by the Board of Directors, can take place after the plant is “substantially complete.” Thus we will entertain requests for membership transfers after Dec.1, 2007. Transfers are limited to 2% of total membership units issued, not to 2% of the units you own.
Renewable Energy Projects:
East Fork has been awarded an $89,000 matching grant from the USDA Rural Development Fund for the purpose of a feasibility study to determine if a project to power East Fork using wind turbines is viable. We are excited to receive this grant and will keep you posted on the progress and results of this study.
Renewable Fuels and Politics:
It is becoming evident that there is a concerted effort underway to undermine renewable energy as a major player in America’s energy market. As an investor in East Fork, it will be important that you let your Representatives, both Iowa and U.S., know your feelings about support for renewable energy. Biodiesel is too new of an industry to have its small subsidies removed at this time.
Ribbon Cutting:
We will hold a small ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of our plant on Nov. 30, 2007. A full scale open house with plant tours for all members and their families will be held at a later date.
K-1 Information:
We have been working diligently to get your K-1 information to you in a timely fashion this year. At this time we show an approximate gain of about $18.50 per unit. We are also anticipating some passive losses generated from depreciation that have not yet been determined at this time. We will get the final numbers to you as soon as they are available in January.
Office Building:
We have moved into our new office building and been really enjoying it! Our address has changed to: 2108 140th Avenue, Box 21; Algona, IA 50511.
If you have any questions or just want to stop by and check the office out, please call or do so.
FUN FACTS:
Did you know…
…that East Fork will be one of the largest plants in the USA when we start up.
…that the construction phase of our project will have been completed about 12 months and three weeks after Todd & Sargent moved on site.
-Ken Clark, President
Meet our Staff:
Darci & Brandy both joined East Fork Biodiesel in May of 2006.
Darci Propst, Office Manager
My prior work experience has been as a business office manager.
Darci is originally from Pierre, South Dakota and is now living in Algona with her husband, Bob and 2 sons: Mason, 12 and Hunter, 5.
2108 140th Ave ~ PO Box 21
~Algona, IA~ 50511
Phone 515-395-8888Fax 515-395-8891
Dave Rosenmeyer – General Manager
Lance White – Operations Manager
Darci Propst – Office Manager
Brandy Smidt – Receptionist/Scale Operator
Lori Finch – Quality Assurance Manager