Rural Development Associates rda

Ron Saak has extensive experience in project development, contract negotiations, commercial finance, commodity trading, transportation, ag supply chains, food processing and agribusiness management. He spent the early part of his career as a grain merchandiser, commodity broker, and barge freight trader for Archer Daniels Midland Company. Ron also managed the Norwest/Wells Fargo Ag Credit Division in Des Moines, Iowa, where he specialized in financing and structuring complex agribusiness projects. He has held a CEO position in a leading food ingredients company and has been a recognized leader in the development of value-added programs for farmer-owned cooperatives. Ron has an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Central College in Pella, Iowa, and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He is also a graduate of the Commercial College of Credit School of Banking in the Norwest system. Ron has his Series 3 Commodity Brokers License, Real Estate License, and P&C Insurance License. He also owns and manages farming operations in East-Central Iowa.

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Steve Baker specializes in finance, tax credit structuring, business feasibility assessment, and strategic business planning. During his career, he has served as a Division Head and Field Operations Supervisor at AgriBank, as a Senior Loan Representative and Senior Market Analyst for CoBank, headed a Seventh Farm Credit District venture capital R&D investment program, and served as a bank Examination Supervisor for the Farm Credit Administration. Steve also served as a COO for a major electronic agricultural business. He is recognized throughout the industry for his leadership in marketplace research activities during the 1980s and 1990s. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Southern Illinois University. He also graduated with the highest distinction from the University of Delaware Stonier Graduate School for Bank Executives. He is a published author and accomplished public speaker, has served as a guest instructor at many universities, and has presented at many management conferences.

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Brad Petersburg

Brad Petersburg is one of the industry's most successful developers, having provided leadership in the formation of a number of highly successful bioenergy and agribusiness entities. He specializes in project management and business development oversight. He has co-led the formation and/or expansion of companies such as EXOL, Golden Oval Eggs, Midwest Grain Processors Cooperative, Ag Ventures Alliance, Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, BIOWA, and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Beyond project development, Brad continued to serve each of these organizations during initial operations as an executive officer on the board of directors. Brad is a graduate of Iowa State University with an agribusiness degree and served as a lender early in his career. He maintains farmland interests in Iowa and Brazil.

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