EPIC Exec Honored
EPIC - Ethanol Promotion and Information Council
Posted by Chuck • November 27, 2007

Tom Slunecka, former executive director of EPIC, is the recipient of the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s 2007 Ethanol Innovation Award.

“It is no secret ethanol production is growing at a record pace, but equally important is the significant increase in public use and acceptance of e10 and e85. Part of what is driving this is a new awareness of ethanol from coast to coast that didn’t exist even two years ago. EPIC, under Tom’s able leadership, has played a major role in this ethanol awakening,” said Steve Ruh, president of ICGA of Sugar Grove.

Slunecka served as executive director of EPIC, a non-profit alliance of ethanol industry leaders, from its formation until he recently accepted a position in the ethanol industry with KL Process and Design Group.

EPIC, which is largely made up of small ethanol producers who came together to grow consumer demand for ethanol, is also funded by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB).

Tom has an extensive background in marketing. Before joining EPIC, he was vice president of marketing for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), serving as the organization’s lead interface with the agricultural industry on ethanol and other initiatives.

“EPIC as an organization is extremely focused. Their goal is to raise public awareness of the benefits of ethanol and to give it immediate brand recognition. A cornerstone to this effort was the recent change on the Indy Racing League to power every car from Ryan Hunter-Reay and Team ethanol to Dario Franchitti, who won the Indy 500 on 100% ethanol. The benefits have been enormous, and I hope Illinois growers are pleased with their part in making this happen,” Ruh said.