URBANDALE, Iowa - The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) announces the addition of Randy Olson. Olson will serve as a senior marketing manager for ISA and the liaison between ISA and the biodiesel manufacturing industry in Iowa.

“I’m very excited to join ISA and support our state’s farmers,” says Olson. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with our growing number of biodiesel manufacturers in the state. With this industry’s tremendous growth, it is vital that our producers get the support that they need.”

As senior marketing manager, Olson will work with the director of market development to increase demand of Iowa soybeans by meeting the needs of customers. He will help develop and coordinate projects, budgets and market development initiatives for biodiesel, biobased products, livestock initiatives and the Soybean Meal Information Center program. Olson will also work as the executive director of the new Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB).

IBB will serve as the biodiesel industry’s central coordinating entity in Iowa in cooperation with the National Biodiesel Board and will be the voice for this growing industry. IBB’s mission will be to advance the interests of its members by creating sustainable biodiesel industry growth. Key areas of focus will be quality assurance programs and increased awareness of biodiesel.

Olson is a native Iowan and has extensive experience in the chemical and financial services industries.