Executive Management

Scott Austin

Mankato, MN *****

********@*****.*** 507-***-**** https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-austin-12572119

Executive Level General Manager

P&L Business Promotion Marketing Excellence Business Planning Government Relations Financial Analysis Strategic Planning Excellent Public Speaker Budget Management Agricultural Exports Regulatory Compliance/Legislative Process Human Resource Management / Employee Development Public Engagement and Media Decision Making

Over 15 years of leadership in the agricultural industry supporting the grain and feed industry. Delivering a unique blend of understanding the issues of the industry and working with state and federal legislators to improve markets for farmers and for the biofuels industry. Over this time, I have worked on a global scale to build relationships with customers in Latin America, The Middle East, and Pacific Rim. I have extensive experience in advocating for the industry and my organizations at the Capital, the state house and through trade organization

Over 10 years of direct experience working with Boards to ensure management and governance are synchronized, driving improved efficiencies, improving risk management, and presenting a common vision and mission

Consistently finds and develops talented people, always preparing them for roles with greater responsibility

Developed a system to help employees make better decisions and solve problems faster, teaching this to all levels of the organization

Was part of the industry team that ensured Minnesota’s B20 initiative was passed by the legislature and implemented in 2018

Consistently improves human capital, promoting a culture where initiative and sound decision making are encouraged and rewarded. Developed training for leaders that improve their EQ and connection with their staffs.

Developed innovative purchasing contracts that lowered costs and improved service

Extensive experience serving on boards of trade associations (RFA, Growth Energy, Dakota Gold Research Association, MN Ethanol Producers and Biodiesel Boards ), industrial standards (ASTM Biofuels Committee) and company boards (Secretary Treasurer for Norther AG Commodity Consultants and Advonex)

Education: MBA - University of St. Thomas (2010); BS in Biology - Northern Kentucky University (1990); Six Sigma Black Belt Champion. Officer U.S. Army 1990-1999

History and Highlights

General Manager/CEO Minnesota Soybean Processors, 2015-2019

Led all operations, merchandising, finance, HR, and IT with full P&L responsibility for this farmer-owned soybean processing cooperative, with 2350+ members and $500M annual revenues.

Laid the foundation to double revenue in five years. Developed a strategic plan to meet the Boards goals of increased profitability and ROI. This plan was focused on three key areas increased production capacity, new revenue sources and new products and technology. This required the complete overhaul of the company’s vision/mission, policies and procedures, and organization structure. By developing three new subsidiaries to perform key functions and acquiring patented technology for new innovative bio-refined products the company grew from a small regionally focused player in the industry to a powerful competitor to industry giants both domestically and globally.

Spearheaded 37.8% average share price increase and a 70% increase in distributions per share in just four years. By successfully executing the strategic plan, MnSP investors saw their average transaction price increase from $2.05 in 2014 to $3.15 in 2018 and per share distributions increased from FY 2014 of $.27/share to FY 2018 $.48/share (EPS in the first 14 years of operations averaged less than $.24/ share and nearly $.82 / share during my tenure). 86% of all distributions ever paid were paid from 2015-2019.

Made MnSP 2nd largest U.S. supplier of soybean meal, owning 16% of market. Developed logistics capability and supply chain for premium customers in Mexico and delivered over 20 unit trains per year of meal, hulls, and soy oil.

Spearheaded investment in separate PE technology company. Secured exclusivity for North American manufacturing and global marketing rights for co-products. This $3M investment grew to just over $15M in 2.5 years.

Increased direct biodiesel sales to customers, eliminating third-party distributors. By improving internal logistics capacity and increasing production rates we were able to eliminate fuel distributors and sell direct to refiners and end users. Increased profitability on 35MGPY by $.05/ gallon.

Instituted cost-saving measures, yielding $8M+ in savings. Streamlined production boosting throughput 2M bushels per year. Improved rail load-out procedures and purchased new product delivery system, saving $390K+. Cut leased rail car costs by $210K. Saved $2.5M by forging an innovative Virtual Cogeneration agreement with power provider that pegged electricity cost to price of natural gas and allowed us to hedge the price versus the NYMEX.

Plant Manager Navitor Specialty Products, 2013 – 2014

Managed operations of three custom print and engraving facilities in MN, WA, and NJ with more than 130 employees and $25M+ in annual revenues. Navitor is a leader in B2B and B2C customized signage, laser engraved and large format digital printing. Directed training, safety, customer service, purchasing, and order fulfillment.

Managed revenue producing and cost-saving projects. Successfully closed WA facility and moved operations to MN, saving $1.4M annually. Took over $800K Capital project that was 25% over budget and five months behind schedule and completed it in three months. Expanded large format laser printing capability more than doubling throughput that generated $700K in new sales first year and projected to over $1M in next two.

Rationalized production capacity. Developed the plan to close our west coast facility move production to the Minnesota plant, separate affected employees and maintained excellent customer service, increasing on-time shipping % and saving just over $3M/ year in operating cost and inventory.

Led the certification of three Six Sigma Green Belts.

Regional General Manager EPCO Carbon Dioxide, 2012

Managed P&L for six facilities and operations with 125 staff and more than $30M in annual sales for this privately-owned producer and supplier of liquid carbon dioxide which was acquired by Air Products in 2013. Supervised engineering, shipping, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance. Prepared 12 company facilities for sale, ensuring code and PSM compliance

Turned around safety compliance programs at six plants that had serious OSHA and EPA issues. Brought all plants into compliance, saved $1M in fines and potential shuttering of two facilities. Negotiated a remediation plan with state of NE. Worked with the states of MN, IA MO, and IN to avoid further NOV’s and fines.

Reduced driver turnover and improved logistics safety. Improved the driving safety for a fleet of over 50 company owned tractors and 100 trailers (70 company drivers)

Key Account Manager for Biofuels Pioneer Hi-Bred, 2010 – 2012

Led sales and marketing programs for selling B2B grain merchandising and management software to grain processing plants and elevators throughout Northern Business unit spanning MN, SD, ND, and WI.

Provided significant value-add to customers/end-users. Led development of a pilot program that brought farmers and end users together and combined quality control for crops providing a specific end user a consistent corn supply. Improved customer’s value chain and increased ethanol yield by 2/10 gallons/bushel, increasing annual revenue for ethanol plant $780K and framer revenue an average of $.07 per bushel.

General Manager Northstar Ethanol, LLC, 2004 – 2010

Completed start-up operations for this renewable energy source company operating as an independently owned LLC as part of POET Biorefining. Spearheaded construction, permitting, business documentation, and ATF and Grain Buyer's bonds. Led staff recruiting and training programs, HR systems. Managed all plant operations and corn procurement, coordinating with contracted marketing companies and negotiating supply contracts.

Key member of team that developed global customer accounts in Mexico, the Pacific Rim countries, and North Africa. Led private securities trading and investor relations. Promoted Poet and ethanol industry publicly and politically at state and national levels.

Responded to volatile market. Saved $1M+ in unused commitment fees and short term interest per year. Faced with all time high commodity prices and market instability, implemented reduction in total market position. Improved cash flow, and forward contracting beyond 30 days. Trimmed line of credit.

Developed new operational quality standards for feedstock. Using Six Sigma methodologies and developing new process metrics, determined a better way to measure the quality of incoming corn and improve ethanol yield. Yield increased from 2.94 gallons per bushel to 3.14. Increasing revenue by $7.2M (5%)

Led OSHA Voluntary Protection Program Certification. At the time, my facility was one 27 industrial sites in MN that qualified for this recognition of safety compliance excellence. Was recognized by the Union Pacific RR for outstanding rail safety 4 straight years (we shipped over 3,000 rail cars per year)

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