Tony Simpson, EXOL’s general manager, is moving on to a new plant in Michigan at the end of February after being in charge of the local ethanol plant since the day construction began and through the recent expansion.

Friday, January 04, 2002

Tony Simpson, EXOL’s general manager, is moving on to a new plant in Michigan at the end of February after being in charge of the local ethanol plant since the day construction began and through the recent expansion.

As head of the management team supplied by Broin and Associates for the EXOL plant, Simpson said he has called on skills learned while managing an ADM wheat milling facility in Minneapolis as well as things he learned in his college education. He has a degree in economics from Millikin University in Illinois and an MBA in finance from the University of Minnesota.

He found plenty of similarities between his work for ADM and at EXOL.

&uot;It seems different – one is dealing with food and the other with fuel – but in both cases you’re dealing with commodities,&uot; said Simpson.

From his perspective, the challenge with a commodity like ethanol is keeping production costs low, quality consistent, and the volume of production high.

Customers don’t care about where the ethanol they buy is made, they want a quality product, a consistent supply and an affordable price, he said.

His background in economics and finance also helped him shape the corporate structure at EXOL.

Simpson, however, is quick to deflect questions about his own role in the achievements at EXOL, which has gone from a start-up operation three years ago to a plant with 38 employees and annual production of 36 million gallons of fuel.

&uot;This plant here is not one person’s accomplishment. A lot of people here put themselves into it,&uot; he said.

He praised the work of all connected with EXOL in Freeborn County, from cooperative members, to the board, to employees.

When he leaves, he said he’ll miss people he’s worked with most.

&uot;I’ve enjoyed the work ethic of the people here, and the attitude and willingness to work with you,&uot; Simpson said.

But he also will miss the Freeborn County community. He found people here, and at the state level, to be supportive. People here understand what value-added agricultural products mean, he said.

The move to Michigan will mean more challenges, something that Simpson finds both exciting and frightening. The plant he is going to manage there will be nearly twice the size of the EXOL plant and it also may be expanded in the future.

One of the main challenges Simpson already is preparing for relates to the environment in Michigan – the economic one. The new plant is the first of it’s kind in Michigan, and it’s owned by investors, not by farmer-members. People there don’t understand about value-added like they do here, he said.

Simpson will be missed here, said acquaintances, who were quick to point out how Simpson made a difference.

&uot;He deserves a lot of the credit for what EXOL is today and how it got there,&uot; said Gary Pestorious, chairman of the EXOL Board of Directors. According to Pestorious and board member Jerry Janzig, Simpson brought the plant from nothing to full production and then through a long expansion project. Throughout all of that, he’s also been responsible for managing the work of up to 38 employees.

State Rep. Dan Dorman has found Simpson to be a welcome ally and will miss his presence at legislative events.

&uot;Looking at him as a legislator, he’s been an effective advocate for ethanol and rural Minnesota. It’s been a real pleasure to work with him,&uot; said Dorman.

&uot;And he was active in the community as well. He wasn’t just a one-issue guy,&uot; he said.

While here in Freeborn County, Simpson was involved in state and regional ethanol organizations, but he was also involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Freeborn/Mower Habitat for Humanity, the Rotary Club and the Elks.

&uot;The new plant will get the benefit of all that Tony has learned here. We hate to see him go, but we wish him well,&uot; said Pestorious.