WBIA Organizational Overview by Megan Sullivan

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance Organizational Overview

Our Mission The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance is a nonprofit corporation that supports the development of the biofuel industry in Wisconsin. By bringing the appropriate players to the table, the WBIA adds value to Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bio industry by providing a roadmap for current operations and anticipated growth.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Accomplishments Education Media • • • •

Press Releases: Over 100 Media Interviews: Over 50 Blog Posts: 75 Clips: Over 1,000

• Established Ethanol Marketing Team; coordinated ethanol marketing efforts • Initiated statewide radio ad campaign • Sponsored UW-Platteville Clean Snowmobile Team

Government • Helped pass Corn Check Off bill, which raised over $1 million, much of it for ethanol promotion • Shaped policy to come out of Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming • Helped coordinate makeup of Special Committee on Domestic Biofuels • Facilitated discussions with DNR over uniform regulatory oversight • Assisted WBIA members with state permitting issues

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Media On a daily basis the WBIA responds to negative press, coordinates positive messaging and works with Wisconsin media to clarify, educate and promote the benefits of bio fuel production and use in Wisconsin.

New Media The WBIA uses new media channels such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to interact with members of the media and online Community and share and promote good news from the bio industry in Wisconsin. Our widely read blog is regularly updated with information. The blog keeps visitors updated on news about the bio industry, as well as news on the WBIA as an organization. The WBIA webpage is frequently updated, and features more information about the organization and the bio industry in Wisconsin, recent news, and upcoming events.

Media Monitoring

The WBIA monitors media coverage regarding the bio industry and follows up as needed, creating a system of unified messaging. We also keep members informed by distributing daily news clips with relevant local and national stories about the bio industry.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Radio Actualities Each week the WBIA records a series of digital audio clips that are widely distributed to radio stations across Wisconsin. The clips are recorded quotes from members of the WBIA that can be used by news directors when putting together stories for the air.

Education Ethanol Marketing Team The WBIA coordinates combined efforts of the Ethanol Marketing Team. Under the leadership of WBIA Executive Director Josh Morby, the group coordinates Wisconsin’s marketing efforts through a series of activities and initiatives aimed at growing Wisconsin’s biofuels market. Other members of the group include the American Lung Association in Wisconsin, RENEW, Wisconsin Corn Growers, and the Office of Energy Independence. The Marketing Team works together to co-sponsor and highlight each other’s events and activities. In doing this, we are able to extend the reach of all organizations further by tapping into specific networks that others have established.

Expert Database The WBIA developed a first ever, bio industry-wide expert database for use by the media, policy makers, elected officials and interested parties to answer questions and dispel myths about bio fuel. It provides a listing of industry experts, with a short biography and links to more information about his or her areas of expertise. This tool facilitates access to Wisconsin’s top experts and is a quick and easy point of reference for media looking for quotes or technical information about the industry. The directory is available on our website.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Education Radio Ad Campaign The WBIA initiated a radio ad campaign under the umbrella of the Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition. The ads, which ran statewide on the Wisconsin Radio Network, discussed the economic and environmental benefits of ethanol for Wisconsin, and generated a lot of attention with the general public.

Snowmobile Sponsorship

The WBIA sponsored a team of students from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to participate in the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge, an international engineering competition for college students. The Challenge is an engineering design competition for college and university students that challenges them to reengineer an existing snowmobile to reduce emissions and noise. The WBIA sponsored team modified a snowmobile to run on any ethanol fuel blend. The sledâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carbon footprint is 90% lower than a standard snowmobileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. As a result of their sponsorship, the team has traveled across the state representing the WBIA and speaking about the ability to modify small engines to run on ethanol. The team used the snowmobile in several competitions, including one in which they finished 3rd overall in 2008.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Government Background The WBIA’s Executive Director Joshua Morby and his team of government relations specialists from both sides of the aisle have decades of experience both serving in and working for the state’s legislature and executive branches and numerous agencies across state government. Strategic relationships at Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, DATCP, Commerce and the new created Office of Energy Independence enable members to gain access to and get answers from the top policy makers and regulators in Wisconsin. Ongoing policy topics and discussion items include international DDGS distribution, grain handling, and logistical concerns regarding rails and roadways as well as regulatory concerns and issues surrounding clean water and air issues, permitting and regulation.

Corn Check Off In late 2007, the Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance helped pass one of the most influential bills used to promote the bio fuel industry in Wisconsin. The bill increased the voluntary assessment on corn sold commercially from one-tenth of a penny to one-half of a penny per bushel. In 2008, the funds raised from the corn checkoff exceeded $1 million – more than four times the amount raised in 2007 – and the vast majority of the funds were used for direct ethanol promotion. Wisconsin corn growers remain a strong supporter of the industry and partner of the WBIA. The corn checkoff dollars have also been used for a number of other ethanol promotion efforts, including the creation of free E85 station maps, the donation of a flex-fuel Chevy Tahoe to be used by Alice in Dairyland, and ethanol booths at a number of events across Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Government Special Committee on Domestic Biofuels Last year, a Wisconsin legislative Special Committee on Domestic Biofuels was established to evaluate the potential benefits of biofuels and recommend state policies based on those findings. The WBIA was influential in coordinating the makeup of that committee. WBIA board members Jeremy Goodfellow of Sanimax and Steve Christensen of Western Wisconsin were both named to the committee, as well as several supporting industry leaders, including Professor Randy Fortenbery at UW-Madison and Bill Johnson with Johnson Timber. The committee generated and approved over a dozen proposals favorable to the bio industry. When the final list of recommendations was made to the Joint Legislative Council. The proposals included:

• Expanding state financial assistance programs to ensure they apply to biomass power generation

• Creating a tax credit for installing or retrofitting pumps that allow consumers to choose the blend of biofuels they purchase

• A renewable fuels standard equal to 110% of the state’s share of the federal RFS

• Promoting the use of biofuels in state vehicles

Task Force on Global Warming In April, 2007, Governor Doyle signed an executive order establishing a Task Force on Global Warming, whose goal it was to determine the causes and effects of global warming in Wisconsin, and create a plan to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. The WBIA was influential the shaping the policy members named to the committee including Lynn Wilson with Plum Creek Timber, Barbara Swain of Alliant Energy and Bill Oemichen with the Cooperative Network.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Our Agenda Biopower As the nation’s 7th leading producer of ethanol, Wisconsin commands a prominent seat at the table of industry leaders. As technology changes and new requirements are implemented, the opportunity for economic development, innovation and efficiency, as well as clean burning renewable power are closer than ever. To that end, the Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance with partners such as Alliant Energy, Whyte Hirschboeck & Dudek, and Plum Creek Timber Company have taken an active role coordinating industry leaders in the following sectors of bio based power generation: • Food waste • Forest Products

• Animal waste • Crop residuals

Together with these industry leaders, the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence and our existing partners, the WBIA will help chart the course for the bio power industry in Wisconsin, both from a policy and business standpoint.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Our Agenda Collaboration Since 2002, Wisconsin’s bio industry has seen tremendous growth, record profits, tough times, bankruptcies, consolidation and expansion. Now more than ever as we move forward as an industry, it’s important that we work together to create markets, educate consumers and share responsibility. Wisconsin’s bio fuel producers and bio power generators are going to play an important role as our state moves forward to create green jobs, produce renewable energy and grow the economy. The WBIA has positioned itself at the nexus of government, regulators, investors, producers and a variety of others involved in the broad supply chain related to the bio industry in Wisconsin. We’re excited about the opportunity to work together to develop a unified voice to chart the course for our future.

Legislation As we move forward, the WBIA will work to help educate our legislators and elected leaders on the economic and environmental benefits that the bio industry brings to Wisconsin. We are poised to move forward and help advance the recommendations from the Special Legislative Committee on Domestic Biofuels through pushing for expansion in state financial assistance programs for biomass power generation, to a stronger renewable fuels standard, and much more. We are committed to working with you to help make sure our elected officials develop and support policy that works to improve and build upon Wisconsin’s growing bio industry.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Member Resources Joshua Morby, Executive Director

Thad Nation, Special Advisor

Joshua Morby serves as the Executive Director of the WBIA, providing overall strategic direction and organizational management. Morby founded the WBIA in 2006 as a way to help build Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing bio industry. Morby also formed the Wisconsin Ethanol Coalition, bringing together a diverse group of individuals and organizations to help promote ethanol usage in the state.

Thad Nation is a Special Advisor to the WBIA, providing political and legislative advice. Nation is the founder and senior partner of the public strategies firm, Nation Consulting. He is a seasoned political professional, who has run the communications efforts of two governors in different states, operated as a Press Secretary for both state and national parties, and worked in a variety of state agencies.

Eric Dodge, Communications Director

Jason Rae, Associate Director

Eric Dodge holds the position of Communications Director, overseeing all media operations of the WBIA. He is an experienced writer and copy editor, and primarily works on developing media content.

Jason Rae is the Associate Director of the WBIA and focuses on member relations and administrative operations of the organization.

Bob Welch, Government Relations Specialist

Bryan Brooks, Government Relations Specialist

Bob Welch serves a Government Relations Specialist with expertise in the legislative process. Welch served as a leading Republican in the state legislature for twenty years. An active member of national political organizations, Bob has expertise in both national and international policy and business.

Bryan Brooks serves as a Government Relations Specialist for the WBIA. He has over eight years of experience in the Wisconsin State Legislature giving him a detailed understanding of the legislative process and a strong familiarity with numerous issues in both houses.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Organizational Expenses Media Relations (42%) Working to respond to media inquires, answer letters to the editor and serve as the “first call” for reporters looking for information consumes the largest percentage of the WBIA budget. Our staff draft media releases, columns, hold press conferences, populate the WBIA blog, share information through a variety of new and social media outlets, and have direct discussions with members of the media.

Government Relations (30%)

The WBIA draws a clear distinction between government relations activities and direct lobbing. Our team of professionals works closely with members, “third party” groups, and friends. As a direct percentage of our budget this activity consumes the second largest portion of our operating expenses. Activities include discussions with administration officials and legislators and testimonies in front of legislative committees.

Advertising (10%)

WBIA’s direct advertising includes statewide radio ads and co-sponsorships with the American Lung Association and the UW-Platteville Clean Snowmobile Team. Marketing partnerships, collaboration and leverage enable us to keep these expenses manageable.

Administrative (8%) Expenses in this category include a business cards, travel, staff time, financial expenses, website development, monthly meetings, and member recognition events.

Membership Development (5%) In an effort to attract new members, grow the organization and develop new membership, the WBIA actively recruits new members, including the designing and printing of membership materials, regular meetings, calls and letters asking for funding and support to execute our mission.

Market Development (5%) Creating markets for the bio fuel industry through support of additional blender pumps, consumption of more E85, and partnerships with fleets, municipalities and the State of Wisconsin is also a focus of the WBIA.

Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance