Board of Directors
Matthew J. Griswold, President– BlendStar, LLC
Jon A. Griswold, Director of Strategic Planning – BlendStar, LLC
Steven Paul Melton, Director Sales and Marketing – BlendStar, LLC
Todd Becker, CEO – Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.
Ron Gillis, EVP Finance and Treasurer – Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.
Steve Bleyl, EVP Ethanol Marketing – Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.
Wayne Hoovestol, Chairman – Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.
Todd Becker - President, Chief Executive Officer & Director
Todd Becker has served as president and chief executive officer of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. since January 1, 2009, and was appointed as a director on March 10, 2009. Mr. Becker served as the company’s president and chief operating officer from the closing of the VBV merger on October 15, 2008 to December 31, 2008. Mr. Becker had served as chief executive officer of VBV since May 2007. Mr. Becker was executive vice president of sales and trading at Global Ethanol from May 2006 to May 2007. He had responsibility for setting up the commercial operations of the company. Prior to that, Mr. Becker worked for ten years with ConAgra Foods in various management positions including vice president of international marketing for ConAgra Trade Group and president of ConAgra Grain Canada. He has more than 20 years of related experience in various commodity processing businesses, risk management and supply chain management. In addition, he has extensive international trading experience in agricultural markets. Mr. Becker has a master’s degree in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a Finance emphasis from the University of Kansas.
Wayne Hoovestol – Chairman
Wayne Hoovestol was appointed chief strategy officer on March 19, 2009 and has served as a director since March 2006 and was named as chairman of the board on October 15, 2008 of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. Mr. Hoovestol resigned from his position as chief executive officer January 1, 2009. Mr. Hoovestol was appointed as the company’s chief operating officer in January 2007 and was named as chief executive officer in February 2007. Mr. Hoovestol began operating Hoovestol Inc., a trucking company, in 1978 and he later formed an additional trucking company known as Major Transport. Mr. Hoovestol sold Major Transport so he could devote a substantial majority of his time to the leadership and strategic oversight of our operations. Mr. Hoovestol became involved with ethanol as an investor in 1995, and has served on the boards of two other ethanol companies.
Ron Gillis – Executive Vice President – Finance & Treasurer
Ron Gillis joined Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. as executive vice president – finance and treasurer upon closing of the VBV merger on October 15, 2008. Mr. Gillis joined VBV in August 2007, serving as its chief financial officer. From May 2005 until July 2007, Mr. Gillis served as chief financial officer of Renewable Products Marketing Group LLC, an ethanol marketing company. Prior to that, Mr. Gillis served for more than 20 years in senior financial management, control and audit positions with ConAgra Foods Inc. in the commodity trading area, both domestic and international. Mr. Gillis is a certified management accountant and holds an Honors Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba.
Steve Bleyl – Executive Vice President – Ethanol Marketing
Steve Bleyl joined Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc as executive vice president – ethanol marketing upon closing of the VBV merger on October 15, 2008. Mr. Bleyl joined VBV in October 2007 and served in the same position. From June 2003 until September 2007, Mr. Bleyl served as chief executive officer of Renewable Products Marketing Group LLC, an ethanol marketing company, building it from a co-operative marketing group of five ethanol plants in one state to seventeen production facilities in seven states. Prior to that, Mr. Bleyl worked for more than 20 years in various senior management and executive positions in the fuel industry. Mr. Bleyl has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Military Academy.