Brian Woldt is honored for SDCUC leadership

The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council offered accolades to Brian Woldt of Wentworth, S.D. for serving the organization as its president the past two years.

The Presidential Recognition Award was presented to Woldt during the South Dakota Corn Growers Association’s 21st Annual Meeting held Jan. 6 in Sioux Falls. Woldt has served on the South Dakota Corn Utilization board since March of 2000 and is the current president of the SDCUC. His term on the SDCUC board will come to an end in March so Woldt also received an “Outstanding Service Award” in addition to his Presidential Recognition Award.

Woldt’s leadership ability and “big picture thinking” catapulted him to the helm of the SDCUC in 2005 and he has been an instrumental force in leading the board’s direction toward biotechnology. He recognizes biotechnology’s future potential and over the years has been the lead on investigating opportunities in that realm for producers.

Woldt also has taken his enthusiasm for and knowledge of aeronautics as a pilot himself into the research realm for the SDCUC as they partnered with SDSU to become leaders in investigating Aviation Grade Ethanol. Woldt engaged in this research endeavor since its inception and has been a tremendous advisory asset to the program both locally and nationally.

Aviation ethanol is not the only impact Woldt has made in the biofuels industry. He is an original board member of Dakota Ethanol in Wentworth, S.D., and is on National Corn Growers Association’s Ethanol Action Team. The caliber of Woldt’s leadership can be measured by the respect he receives from his fellow board members. Previous to his presidency, Brian also served the organization as vice president and secretary.

Woldt and his wife, Valerie, have two children, Travis and Chelsey.