Business Briefs

Decatur, Illinois-based Mason Manufacturing LLC has appointed Sherman Levin as engineering manager. He brings experience and expertise to the company’s shell-and-tube heat exchanger and ASME pressure vessel business. Prior to joining Mason Manufacturing, Levin held positions with GE Generator Engineering, Jacobs Engineering, BplusKBR and Black & Veatch.  

Archer Daniels Midland Co. has appointed Christina Hahn as vice president of investor relations and competitive analysis. She will represent the company to the investment community and act as an advocate for shareholder value creation. Hahn previously served as director of corporate strategy and competitive analysis. Prior to joining ADM, she was head of agricultural commodities research at Deutsche Bank and an equity research analyst in agribusiness and proteins.

As part of its family succession planning process, Vermeer Corp. has announced that third-generation family member Jason Andringa will become president and CEO, effective Nov. 1, 2015. On Nov. 1 of this year, he will assume the role of president and chief operating officer for one year, before transitioning to president and CEO. Andringa currently serves as president of forage and environmental solutions. Mary Andringa, current president and CEO, will assume the role of CEO & chair of the board Nov. 1. Mary will transition exclusively to chair of the board Nov. 1, 2015. Bob Vermeer, current chairman of the board, will assume the role of chair emeritus, effective Nov. 1. 

LanzaTech has appointed Gregg Clevenger as chief financial officer. In his role, Clevenger has overall responsibility for leading all aspects of corporate finance for the company. He most recently served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of GXS Corp. and has more than 25 years of international finance experience.

Laura Wood Peterson has joined Syngenta as manager of federal government relations, based in Washington, D.C. In this role, Peterson will support the company’s strategic federal government relations, including outreach and advocacy. She has experience and relationships in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government and extensive experience in agribusiness.

NUVUFuels LLC announced the Denco II ethanol plant is extending its ethanol marketing agreement with Noble Mansfield Commodity Services for a three-year term. NUVUFuels management was placed in charge of operations at the 25 MMgy facility following its 2010 acquisition by local investors.

Aventine Renewable Energy has named J.B. Voss as merchandising manager for the 45 MMgy Nebraska Energy LLC Vogelbusch plant and the 110 MMgy Aventine Aurora West Delta T plant in Aurora, Nebraska. He is primarily responsible for corn procurement and merchandising all wet and dry distillers grain for the two Aurora facilities. Voss will also provide leadership for two additional merchandisers to be located at the Aurora West facility. Voss has 25 years of experience in commodity markets and the ethanol and biofuels industry. He most recently served as a merchandiser at Commodity Specialists Co.

The National Corn Growers Association has announced Chris Novak as the organization’s next CEO, effective Oct. 12. He is taking the place of 14-year veteran Rick Tolman, who announced his intention to retire from the organization in March. Novak previously served as CEO of the National Pork Board and as executive director of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance.