NBB Announces Expansion of its Washington, D.C. Office

Manning Feraci and Larry Schafer

Fourteen months after the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) opened its Washington, D.C. office, the nonprofit trade association is announcing an expansion that will create a full-service Washington bureau. The additional staff will help NBB address the organization’s multiple legislative and regulatory priorities.

Manning Feraci has accepted the position of Vice President of Federal Affairs and will direct the NBB’s Washington office. Feraci most recently served as the Chief of Staff to Congressman Kenny Hulshof (R-MO), who has been one of the primary champions of biodiesel in the U.S. House of Representatives. Manning has more than 14 years of experience working for members of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax and trade matters.

The NBB is also pleased to welcome Larry Schafer of Diamond Group, LLC, as Senior Adviser. Schafer previously served as Vice President for both the Renewable Fuels Association and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and performed various legal and legislative counsel roles for Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND). He has significant expertise and background on policy matters relating to renewable fuels, and was instrumental in crafting and implementing the Renewable Fuels Standard and the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit.

NBB Director of Governmental Affairs Scott Hughes plans to relocate to Missouri, where he will provide a greater focus on the organization’s state regulatory issues. Scott’s previous experience with state affairs will ensure that NBB’s interests are well-represented in state capitols around the nation and are coordinated with the organization’s federal priorities.

“We are very proud of Scott, his accomplishments, and the excellent job he has done on behalf of NBB in launching our Washington office. I have every confidence he will continue to have great success representing NBB’s interests at the state level,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. “Manning Feraci and Larry Schafer are superb additions to our team, which will ensure that NBB is well-positioned to address the challenges facing the biodiesel industry.”

Rounding out the Biodiesel Legislative Team are Tom Hance, Janet Kopenhaver and John Gordley of Gordley Associates who are leading efforts for biodiesel in the 2007 Farm Bill. Also Tim Urban and Tara Bradshaw of Washington Council Ernst and Young, who specialize in tax and trade issues. Karen Edwards of KCE Public Affairs provides public affairs and media relations support in Washington. And Andrew Brandt serves as policy support analyst in NBB’s D.C. office.

“We have assembled a world-class legislative team,” Jobe said.

Scott Hughes, Karen Edwards, Andrew Brandt, Tom Hance, Janet Kopenhaver, Tim Urban, Tara Bradshaw