By: Ben Parsley, Director of Operations, Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE)
“My Ethanol Story” started out in the same place where the ethanol industry started, on the family farm. That farm near Flandreau, South Dakota, taught me many things about how the agricultural supply chain begins and the decisions made by the American farmer. The most valuable concepts I learned on the farm were (through borderline antique farm equipment and a large amount of sibling rivalry) hard work and perseverance. None of what has gone on since those days would have been possible without the lessons I learned on that square mile in Moody County.
Out of high school, I had plans of being a doctor someday. But after an intro chemistry class led by Dr. Barry Eichler, who could explain the applications of that subject, I took a hard left and began getting into more fundamental science. Those who know me know I like to use analogies. Dr. Eichler took seemingly hard or vague concepts and likened them to everyday examples, which helped most students immensely on their path to learning the concepts.
Speaking of learning, that has been one constant over the last 14 years in ethanol/starch industries. I’ve learned from many folks working for POET, including Steve Lewis, Melissa Tille, and Deb Roth most notably. I’ve learned from Harry Kitsos at Cargill, Brent Steven and Lucas Wipf at Direct, and have learned many things (and continue to learn) from all of my coworkers here at SIRE.
A little more about SIRE. I couldn’t have asked for a better organization to be a part of. Since I’ve been at SIRE, the team has continually taken strides forward, not only in our traditional performance metrics like ethanol yield and Btu/gal, but in metrics that are not as easy to measure like collaboration, communication and accountability. I can’t thank the team and board enough for giving me a position and allowing me to contribute to the success we all share.
The reason I feel so strongly about working in the ethanol industry is summed up in a favorite quote, “Those who help others, help themselves.” The ethanol industry has helped so many people. I am lucky to be one of them and will continue to “pay it forward” along with listening and learning from everyone involved. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story, and I hope I can help create more positive stories like mine as the industry evolves and advances.