By: Alex Pegg, Accountant, Cardinal Ethanol, LLC
While my ethanol story may be shorter than most, it has been everything I could have hoped for as a young professional. I grew up in rural Indiana, where I was introduced to agriculture at an early age through my family’s cattle and show pig operation. I was also a dedicated 10-year 4-H member and participated in FFA, experiences that helped shape my appreciation for agriculture and the community I grew up in.
Throughout high school, attending college was a high priority. However, my wide range of interests made it difficult to settle on a clear academic path. By my second semester at Ball State University, my major shifted from legal studies and political science to accounting and finance—fields I had never seriously considered. I ultimately made the switch after realizing an accounting background would allow me options in the future including law school or a career in business. As I progressed through my classes and gained a better understanding of accounting, my interest in law school faded and my desire to pursue a business career grew.
During an event in my senior year, I met Bill Dartt and Ashleigh Lawrence from Cardinal Ethanol. After giving them my resume, I started to look for more information about the corporation. Despite growing up only 15 minutes away, I was surprised by the scale of its operations and its significance as both a revenue source and employer for Randolph County. This led me to join their team following graduation.
Prior to becoming part of the Cardinal team, I had very little knowledge of the ethanol industry. After nearly two years in an accounting role, asking questions, walking through the production process, serving on the safety committee, and spending time with merchandisers, I have significantly expanded my understanding of the ethanol industry. Beyond learning the science behind ethanol production, I now understand how it supports corn markets for farmers, lowers fuel costs for consumers, and provides cleaner-burning fuel to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work for a strong organization that is close to home and in an industry that has exceeded my expectations. Through my work at Cardinal and the networking opportunities it has granted me, I have met many knowledgeable and passionate people. They have taught me that while the ethanol industry is large, it remains close-knit and collaborative. I am excited to see what the future holds as my ethanol story continues.