I am the Chief Executive Officer of Red Trail Energy (RTE), a 65 million-gallon-per-year ethanol production facility near Richardton, North Dakota. My management style is rooted in servant leadership. I believe in working alongside my employees and fostering collaborative work environments. This approach has been part of my leadership philosophy since my early days in management, where I learned the value of building strong relationships.Since taking on the role of CEO in April 2023, I’ve led RTE through a period of transformative growth and innovation. One of our major accomplishments was becoming the world’s first ethanol producer to join the voluntary carbon market. We are also North Dakota’s first fully operational commercial Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facility, successfully sequestering over 300,000 tons of CO2 for permanent storage deep beneath our facility to date.Before becoming CEO, I served as RTE’s Chief Financial Officer for nine years, where I played a key role in significant milestones such as paying off our original $50 million debt and converting the plant to natural gas. My background in finance and compliance has been critical in building a strong regulatory framework that continues to support RTE’s success in a highly regulated industry.I’m also deeply committed to my community. I serve on the North Dakota Ethanol Council and the North Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, and I’m an elected City Council member in Medora, North Dakota. My decision to run for City Council came from a desire to bring my financial expertise to the table, ensuring that our city’s financial practices are both efficient and secure.Growing up on a farm and working alongside my father, who also ran a tax accounting practice, greatly influenced my work ethic and leadership philosophy. These early experiences instilled in me the values of hard work and dedication, which continue to guide me in my role at RTE and in my community involvement.I am driven by bringing value to organizations, whether through my analytical skills or by effectively communicating with boards and investors. While I’ve never created a personal manifesto, my actions and decisions reflect a clear commitment to excellence and integrity.I’m passionate about the ethanol industry and the role RTE plays in it. Our commitment to safety, community involvement, and innovation makes RTE a leader in the industry, and I’m proud to have helped lead a part of that journey.