POET plant manager leaving

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Dean Frederickson, general manager of the Poet ethanol plant in Loomis, has been named the general manager of Poet Biorefining Chancellor.

The Chancellor plant, which is located about 20 miles southwest of Sioux Falls, annually produces 100 million gallons of ethanol. Poet’s Loomis plant produces about 60 million gallons yearly.

Frederickson, 56, said his promotion makes official duties he assumed when the manager at the Chancellor facility resigned several months ago. Since then, Frederickson has been managing both plants.

Frederickson, who has been a Poet employee for 12 years, opened the Loomis ethanol plant in December 2006 and has been its only general manager.

“During the start-up there was some controversy,” he said, “but I think we’ve worked through that. I think we’ve proven that we’re good friends to the community and good corporate citizens.”

The controversy included Loomis residents who were upset about the plant’s noise and county residents concerned about wear and tear on roads from trucks frequenting the plant.

Frederickson credited his staff with the ethanol plant’s success.

“The workforce in Mitchell has been fantastic,” he said. “We’ve got great employees here.”

During his time in Mitchell, Frederickson has been involved in the community, including a stint as president of the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I’ll miss the people of Mitchell and my chamber activities,” he said.

His wife Cathy works as an art teacher at L.B Williams Elementary School. She plans to finish the school year there, and no firm date has been set for their departure.

Frederickson, who has two grown children, said he will soon be a grandfather for the sixth time.

“I’ve really been enjoying my grandchildren and my new job will bring us closer to them,” he said.

Prior to his time with Poet, Frederickson worked 25 years for Cargill in southern Ohio, where he managed five grain elevators.

Tags: news, updates, ethanol, poet, business, region, loomis