University News
IIRA Energy Program Manager Appointed to Serve on Ethanol Research Advisory Board
December 18, 2012
MACOMB, IL — Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently appointed Fred Iutzi of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University to the Illinois Ethanol Research Advisory Board. The board provides oversight for the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which was established to provide pilot-scale research infrastructure and services to industry, academia and government agencies.
According to Iutzi, the NCERC's facility speeds commercialization of innovative new fuel ethanol technologies developed in public or private laboratories, as well as provides workforce development and training services. Iutzi, who serves as the agriculture and energy program manager for IIRA, holds leadership roles in several other public and public-private collaborations to advance renewable energy in Illinois, including the Illinois Biomass Working Group.
"We are very pleased Fred has been appointed to serve as an NCERC board member. His background, knowledge and expertise in biofuels research will prove a tremendous asset for this organization," said IIRA Director Chris Merrett.
The Advisory Board provides guidance on the operations, budget and strategic direction of NCERC, Iutzi noted.
"We will focus on maintaining excellence and organizational sustainability for NCERC's core role in reducing costs of ethanol production through the development and commercialization of new production technologies," he explained. "We will also ensure the center is well positioned to address the research opportunities and challenges of the advanced biofuels era and that we continue to leverage training opportunities to help Illinois have the best bioprocessing workforce in the nation."
In his capacity as program manager for the IIRA, Iutzi has garnered a great deal of experience in the bioenergy sector.
"IIRA helped pave the way for the corn ethanol industry in Illinois, and now we are assisting farmer groups, businesses and communities to position themselves for the next wave of opportunities in advanced biofuels and biomass heat and power. NCERC has been a key part of our biofuels efforts, including a program that sent Western Illinois University students to Edwardsville for biofuels internships and an ongoing project to provide ethanol co-product quality data to livestock farmers and feed buyers," he said. "Joining the Ethanol Research Advisory Board is an exciting step, and I look forward to helping advance the Illinois biofuels industry."
Learn more about the IIRA at www.iira.org and more about NCERC at www.ethanolresearch.com.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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