Former Missouri Governor Matt Blunt

Chuck2015 Conference, Audio

Former Missouri Governor Matt Blunt joined us during the conference today. Here he is pictured with a few members from the Missouri Soybean Association right after doing a ride & drive with some new biodiesel powered cars and trucks. Matt is now the President of the American Automotive Policy Council and lives in Virginia. By the way, he also has … Read More

NBB Chair Encourages Members

Chuck2015 Conference, Audio

The Chair for the National Biodiesel Board is Steven Levy, Sprague Operating Resources. He took to the stage this morning in our general session to provide an inspiring message to members who have been facing some serious odds in the last couple years. But he told everyone about how important it is to keep trying in order to obtain success … Read More

First Day of Activities

Chuck2015 Conference

The first day of activities are about to conclude here in Ft. Worth. Things got kicked off with a number of sessions on different topics before our general session featuring the speech from Joe Jobe. I have some additional items from today I’ll be posting as time allows and hope to have all coverage completed by the end of the … Read More

Meet the Press with Joe Jobe

Chuck2015 Conference, Audio

After this morning’s general session NBB CEO Joe Jobe met with the press. This gave reporters a chance to ask specific questions about not only his earlier speech but also more background and details on what is happening (or not happening) with the RFS and tax credits. Listening in will give you a good sense for what kinds of questions … Read More

NBB CEO Fires Up Conference Attendees

Chuck2015 Conference, Audio

Talking about how much the truth matters and calling once more for cooperation from the petroleum industry on the RFS, Joe Jobe, CEO, National Biodiesel Board, got attendees fired up this morning during his opening general session speech. He received a standing ovation at the end of the speech when he loudly proclaimed: 2015 is the year we get back … Read More

Starting Off the 2015 Conference

Chuck2015 Conference

The 2015 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo is just kicking off in Ft. Worth, Tx. We’re at the Fort Worth Convention Center and our opening general session will take place tomorrow morning. Keep an eye here for information from the sessions as they take place over the next couple days. I am thrilled to be working as the Biodiesel Blogger … Read More

2015 National Biodiesel Conference

Chuck2015 Conference

It’t that time! Time to look ahead to the 2015 National Biodiesel Conference. Here’s an excerpt from NBB CEO, Joe Jobe, as he looks ahead. In my seventeen years in the biodiesel world the most predictable dynamic of this growing industry has been unpredictability; a constant evolution of the market and its ever-transforming challenges. Managing through the ups and downs … Read More

Eye on Biodiesel Pioneer Award

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

Receiving an Eye on Biodiesel Pioneer Award for lifetime achievement serving the biodiesel industry at the convention was Mike Haas, of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. Haas has been a Lead Scientist and Research Biochemist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service since 1981. He has been a huge supporter of the biodiesel industry and currently leads a project investigating the production … Read More

Eye on Biodiesel Inspiration Award

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

Len Hering, a retired Rear Admiral from the U.S. Navy, gave an absolutely wonderful speech during the closing general session of the conference. You might want to share a link to it (listen below) with your friends and family and perhaps even the EPA! In addition he received an NBB Eye on Biodiesel Inspiration Award. Len is also the Executive … Read More

Eye on Biodiesel Impact Award

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

The Eye on Biodiesel Impact Award was presented to Richard Corey, California Clean Air Resources Board during this morning’s general session. The State of California continues to serve as a national and world leader in regulations related to environmental sustainability, and the California Air Resources Board is at the heart of those efforts. In January of 2010, Air Resources Board … Read More

Kirk Leeds Receives Industry Partnership Award

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

The Eye on Biodiesel Award for Industry Partnership was presented to Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association this morning. Kirk is Chief Executive Officer of the Association and has been a leader among soybean organizations in supporting biodiesel efforts since the industry’s inception. ISA’s support of the National Biodiesel Board over the years has allowed the industry to prepare and face … Read More

Lifetime Achievement Award

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

Today Don Borgman, John Deere, was honored with a National Biodiesel Board Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the biodiesel industry. Later this year Borgman will be retiring from John Deere after over 40 years of service. Most recently he served as the Director of Agricultural Industry Relations for John Deere’s North American operations. He has been involved in … Read More

Address by NBB Chair Steven J. Levy

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

The Chair of the National Biodiesel Board is Steven J. Levy, Sprague Operating Resources LLC. This is his first conference as the Chair so when he spoke at today’s general session he told a little bit about himself and his background. He’s the first NBB Chair who is not a farmer, producer or from the Midwest. Steven spoke about the … Read More

The Policy Climate

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

It wa.s time for a little policy on stage this morning at the conference. NBB’s Anne Steckel provided a legislative update during our general session before leading a panel with former Senator Bryon Dorgan and Representative Kenny Hulshoff. It made for a lively discussion as they discussed the current ability of Congress to make progress on important issues, the situation … Read More

Ride and Drive Day

Chuck2014 Conference, Video

It’s ride and drive day at the conference. Even the general public is invited in to pick a new vehicle to test out. On hand are company representatives to answer questions about the vehicles too. There are four vehicles outside the San Diego Convention Center from Hino, Ford, General Motors and Jeep. I chose the Chevy Cruze and rode along … Read More

Chevy Cruze Receives Innovation Award

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

The first of this year’s Eye on Biodiesel Awards was presented this morning for Innovation. It was presented to General Motors and the B20-Approved Chevrolet Cruze. General Motors continues to be a leading biodiesel supporter among OEM’s. This year the company took another step forward introducing the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel – the first B20-approved light-duty passenger sedan. … Read More

Become the Winning Underdog

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

Hopefully many of you remember or know about the 1980 Winter Olympics when the U.S. Hockey Team won gold. It’s one of the greatest moments in U.S. sports history. Well today the goalie for that team took the stage to talk to us about winning teamwork – Jim Craig. Jim gave a very motivating and inspirational speech in which he … Read More

Joe Jobe Opening Speech

Chuck2014 Conference

This morning Joe Jobe, CEO, National Biodiesel Board, rallied the troops at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego. He told attendees that the petroleum industry is misleading Americans about fuel policy and called on President Barack Obama to stand firm behind his previous commitments to supporting alternative energy industries. In his annual address at the Biodiesel Conference & Expo, … Read More

Going Strong in San Diego

Chuck2014 Conference

The 2014 National Biodiesel Conference is already going Strong here in San Diego. Attendees got registered today and started networking right away. For many, it’s like seeing family again. This evening we got together for a welcome reception at the San Diego Convention Center. It looks like we’re going to have an even larger crowd than was first thought! I’ve … Read More

2014 National Biodiesel Conference – Strong

Chuck2014 Conference, Audio

It’s that time. The 2014 National Biodiesel Conference is next week folks. Hope you’re ready. I’ll be on location once again and working as the Biodiesel Blogger bringing you all the action. Things will get going late Monday and through Wednesday. You can find the program here. I’ll be sharing lots of photos and interviews as I find them. Hope … Read More