Equipment compatibility and other E15 myths being busted by leading retail chains

Mark Brodziski is currently serving as Acting Administrator at USDA-Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service. In this role, Mr. Brodziski oversees an annual portfolio of over $2 billion of grant, loan, and loan guarantee programs that spur economic development, support creation of rural jobs, and improve the quality of life throughout rural America. While developing lender relationships, Mr. Brodziski aims to find opportunities to assist rural communities and rural stakeholders in expanding access to capital and capacity building within rural communities.

USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service suite of programs include the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to support rural small businesses, farmers, and ranchers installing renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects and the Biorefinery Assistance Program to foster the commercialization of new and innovative technologies converting biomass into advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased products. Other programs include Business and Industry loan guarantees, Rural Business Development Grants, Relending programs, Value-Added Producer Grants, and Rural Cooperative Development Grants.

A Wisconsin native, Mr. Brodziski holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and Economics from the University of Wisconsin—River Falls. Mark began his career with USDA Farmers Home Administration in 1983 and served in several USDA county and state office positions before joining the Rural Business-Cooperative Service National Office in 2011.

Mike O’Brien is Growth Energy’s Vice President of Market Development and leverages public and private resources to help fuel retailers distribute higher blends of ethanol. O’Brien has more than 20 years of business-to-business global marketing experience in the retail and energy industries. Previously, he launched and led the global development of marketing and communications for value-added agricultural products, like NatureWorks PLA.

Prior to joining Growth Energy in 2011, Bliley was a director at the Nussle Group, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm. He served as the Associate Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency running the agency’s Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations from 2007 until 2009 under President George W. Bush. He was also Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Congressman Jim Nussle. Prior to joining Nussle’s staff, Bliley was Director of Government Relations for the Smokeless Tobacco Council, a Washington-based trade association.