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QUESTION: Who are the staff and the board of Co-op Power?
ANSWER: Lynn Benander is the Manager for Co-op Power. She brings many years experience in community economic development and expertise in cooperatives, education and training, community organizing and sustainable energy. She represents Co-op Power as the chair of the board of Northeast Biodiesel. The board members of Co-op Power are Christian Lagier (Chair), Mark Tajima (Vice Chair), Jane Andresen (Assistant Vice Chair and Hampden County Local Organizing Council Rep.) Steve Micka (Treasurer and Hampshire County Local Organizing Council Rep.), Erik Hoffner (Clerk and Franklin County Local Organizing Council Rep.), Tom Simon (Southern Vermont Local Organizing Council Rep.), David Biddle (at-large board member, and Co-op Power Rep. on the Northeast Biodiesel Board), and Harvey Hunjan (at-large board member, and Co-op Power Rep. on the Northeast Biodiesel Board). You can find info on each of these people in "About Co-op Power" under board and staff bios.
QUESTION: Who are the staff and the board of Northeast Biodiesel?
ANSWER: Larry Union is the CEO of Northeast Biodiesel. Larry is a mechanical engineer and holds an MBA. He managed the Connecticut Energy Cooperative that successfully recruited 13,000 customers for their electricity product 10 years ago. Harvey Hunjan is an industrial chemist with biofuel manufacturing experience volunteering with Larry to design and build the plant. Lynn Benander is working with Larry to raise the money and launch the plant. The board members representing Co-op Power on the Northeast Biodiesel Board are Lynn Benander (chair), Erik Hoffner, David Biddle, and Larry Union. When new equity partners invest in Northeast Biodiesel, Co-op Power will appoint five seats, three seats will be appointed by the investors, and one will be the CEO.
QUESTION: Who has fiscal responsibility and oversight for Co-op Power and Northeast Biodiesel Company?
ANSWER: Fiscal responsibility for Co-op Power rests with the Co-op Power board of directors. Fiscal responsibility for Northeast Biodiesel rests with the Northeast Biodiesel Board. Co-op Power is the majority owner of Northeast Biodiesel. We hold more than half the board seats on the Northeast Biodiesel board, and, in this way, Co-op Power will have a significant voice in Northeast Biodiesel's fiscal oversight and governance.
QUESTION: How has the competence of the Northeast Biodiesel management team been assessed? What's their track record?
ANSWER: Larry Union has been hired to be the CEO. He was hired with a unanimous vote of the hiring committee and the Northeast Biodiesel Board after a national search. He has started successful energy businesses in the past. He has extensive experience in manufacturing, energy, finance, marketing, sales and business start-up. He holds a MBA in Finance and an Engineering degree. Harvey Hunjan is an industrial chemist with biofuel production expertise. Harvey is working with Larry to design and build the processor for the plant. |
