Iowa Biodiesel Board says elections keep Iowa at the forefront of national energy issues

ANKENY, Iowa - Two Iowans were elected to the National Biodiesel Board this week, playing a key role in guiding the national growth of renewable, American-made biodiesel.

Members of the National Biodiesel Board elected biodiesel producer Chad Stone and soybean farmer Ron Heck to fill two of eight open board spots. The election took place during the NBB annual fall meeting in Washington, D.C.

Also the chair of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, Stone serves as the Chief Financial Officer at the Ames-based Renewable Energy Group, where he provides long-range strategic leadership, including goals and policies. Heck serves as treasurer of IBB, representing the Iowa Soybean Association on the board. He's been an ISA member since 1975 and has served in numerous state and national ag leadership roles. Heck farms in Perry, Iowa.

"The elections of IBB board members are another validation of Iowa as a hub of renewable energy," said Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board. "Iowa's farmers and biodiesel producers are innovators in this emerging energy industry, and stay actively engaged in policy discussions. We should feel proud that Iowans represent us at the national level, leading the way toward sustainable energy independence."

Iowa soybean farmer Ed Ulch retired from the NBB board this week after 11 years of service. His colleagues hailed him as a strong leader during formidable years in biodiesel's development.

In 2014, Iowa's 13 biodiesel plants produced more than a quarter billion gallons of biodiesel, supporting jobs and economic development across the state while replacing foreign oil and diversifying the nation's fuel supply.

Bettendorf, Iowa–More than 200 people gathered on November 18, 2015 to celebrate the impact of philanthropy in our community as part of National Philanthropy Day, a nationwide celebration of philanthropy. The luncheon and award ceremony was held at Isle of Capri Ballroom, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, Iowa. The sold-out event was hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Quad Cities.

Nate Clark, Manager of Enterprise Citizenship for Deere & Company and Vice President for the John Deere Foundation was the keynote speaker and presented on "The Speed of Change for Philanthropy."

The following awards were presented during the luncheon:

Outstanding Volunteer Fund Raiser:  John Anderson, President & CEO, Quad City Bank & Trust

Outstanding Philanthropist:  Dana Wilkinson, CEO, Paragon Commercial Interiors, Inc.

Outstanding Civic/Service Organization:  Bettendorf Rotary

Outstanding Foundation:  Hubbell-Waterman Foundation

Outstanding Corporation/Corporate Foundation:  Advanced Radiology, SC, accepted by Dr. Craig Tillman

Outstanding Planned Giving Professional:  Barbara Melbourne, Vice President of Development, Community Foundation of the Great River Bend

Outstanding AFP Chapter Member:  Gary Rowe, Retired Fundraising Professional

For more information on the recipients, please visit www.afpquadcities.com.

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Learn about 529 plans and be registered to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa Account!

DES MOINES, IA (11/19/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants to encourage online shoppers to give the gift of college savings this Cyber Monday. "Take a 10 minute break between virtual shopping sprees to learn the ins-and-outs of 529 plans, and be registered to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account!" Fitzgerald said. "College Savings Iowa InFocus is an interactive learning experience that introduces the benefits of saving for the higher education of a loved one." Visit Iowa529InFocus.com to complete the tutorial and see official rules.

"As a way to make your Cyber Monday a little sweeter, College Savings Iowa is also offering an additional $10 contribution to the first 500 people who complete the tutorial and open a College Savings Iowa account," Fitzgerald added. "This is a great way to get a jump start on your child's future!" The newly established accounts must have a minimum $25 contribution and be opened within the first seven days of tutorial completion to be eligible for the $10 contribution.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers have the additional benefit of being able to deduct contributions up to $3,163 per beneficiary account from their 2015 Iowa adjusted gross income.*

Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses, which includes tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or technical training school in the United States or abroad.**

. For more information about future giveaways and events find College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan).

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

**Earnings on nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 1-888-672-9116, or visit CollegeSavingsIowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

MOLINE, IL -- In October, more than 30 "Stories of Service" were collected at eight locations across the Quad Cities by WQPT at Western Illinois University as a part of the station's "Embracing Our Military" initiative, and today (Nov. 18) those stories were delivered to the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project by Congressman Dave Loebsack and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos in a ceremony attended by Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO.

"WQPT's 'Stories of Service' is a wonderful collaboration between public television staff and local agencies, including libraries, veterans service providers and retirement communities. WQPT's staff created a thoughtful model which included easy-to-use recording equipment and community volunteers to preserve stories for future generations," Susan Eleuterio, Veterans History Project trainer on behalf of the Oral History Association and the American Folklore Society, which are partners with the Veterans History Project.

Twenty volunteers and 10 staff members collected stories from veterans of World War II and Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan at WQPT-Quad Cities PBS at Western Illinois University, the Center for Active Seniors (CASI), Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Moline Public Library, St. Ambrose University, UnityPoint Health-Trinity and WVIK.

"We are thrilled that our representatives have presented these stories to the Library of Congress and we are proud of the impact that our 'Embracing Our Military' initiative has had on our veteran community," said Mary Pruess, WQPT general manager.

More information about "Embracing Our Military" and "Stories of Service" can be found at wqpt.org.