A CEO's Journey

Monday's Push

2012-01-23T21:07:00.001-08:00

Over the week end I spent time with my kids and it was niceto take my mind off the things going on as much as I could. My children enjoyed themselves and our timetogether. I was able to get the ticketsfrom the museum for a “Father Day Out”. This is the name we came up with on the fly while talking to the representativein their promotions department. I know the fathers that take advantage of this opportunitywill enjoy it.

I spoke with Mr. Tim J. over at Excel Energy this afternoonto go over some preliminary power output scenarios and answered his questions. At this point I am very pleased with thedirection we are going in here in the Twin Cities and in Kansas. Today, I also had a very productive conferencewith our location planner in Lawrence, KS. After some logistical concerns I contacted city hall in the city of Lawrence,KS and told them the problems I felt we would incur if we chose our firstchoice in Williamstown, KS on route 59. This individual gave me another location that was better suited we werenot aware of in an industrial park. Shewent on to say that our first location was actually 80 feet past their countyline and that it would be better if we could keep in Jefferson County. After hearing what the county and city of Lawrencecould assist with as far as tax breaks and other incentives. I said I would get back with her Tuesdaymorning after our board meeting tonight.

The ok was given unanimously on the new location. We will be contacting the local unions to gettheir contracts under wraps forthwith. Now that we are entering a new election year local and national candidateswill be calling soon to try and use this as a foothold in their elections. Usually I would stay away from thesesituations but, I know it is my responsibility to stand behind the decisions Imake as a citizen. Now we are headinginto our next phase of development, property and permits. By Friday I am projecting an 85% completionrate that will allow us to order the power plant modules from China and Indiaby the end of January. This will be thestart of their 34 day journey to the prospective locations in Afton, MN andLaurence, KS.

Links:
TechnoFarm
The Paris Group
HempKitchen

Why I do it

2012-01-20T16:22:00.000-08:00

It’s the end of the day and a close to a week. I am very pleased with the progress this week. I would like to thank all those that were apart of the steps taken this week: EdinaRealty, Remax Realty, Tom Alexios, David Neimann, Pam Lampright, Alexandra Urshan, The MISO staff, Greg G. andMike M. of Excel Energy. Your activeparticipation and professionalism is much appreciated. I look forward to working with these peoplein the future because they all played key roles in moving the “Twins” forward.

On a more personal note I thanked my 3 boys today with hugsbecause their sacrifice is not unseen. Ikept my oldest son home Thursday because he asked me the night before if wecould spend time together when I wasn’t busy. Yes my heart jumped and sank instantly. So I decided after we hung out for an hour and zoned out in front ofpower rangers it’s those types of moments I want to see all fathers have….. Not working for sleep or money but, work forfamily and enjoyment. So I made every Saturdayfamily day out. We will go somewhere anddo something as one. So tomorrow I amnot going to work on the plastic to gas unit until Sunday. Monday I am going to call, The SienceMuseum of Minnesota, to donate 100 entry tickets for 100 fathers to take their children on a Saturdaybecause, it’s those moments that live within us forever. People ask me all the time how I do all this and I tell them it's simple. I do it for my kids. I do it for them. I do it for the world.

Links:
TechnoFarm
The Paris Group
HempKitchen

New Challenges Old Challenges

2012-01-20T08:58:00.000-08:00

Just found out the website for the group was down, up, down,up, new, old, and back again. That’slife. We are scheduled to look at theproperty in Afton, MN but, the weather has made it a little bit of achallenge. So we are postponing themeeting and using the areal photos for our meeting. MISO has been contacted and we are submittingour plans and budget to their energy committee. Once this process is complete the next phase will begin with city officials,land surveyors, permits, and trucking routs etc.

Development 2 in Williams Town, KS "Bill Town" weare looking at the 22 acre parcel overlapping the rail road. This is exactly what is needed to ship ourproduct farther efficiently. I am alsogetting in contact with my rep at waste management to work out a deal for theirgarbage to be diverted from a land fill to us. I am sure this will happen with little to no resistance since they arepaying out of packet to put it there.

On The Road to Clean Energy

2012-01-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

1/19/2012

Today started like any other day. Phone Phone Phone. After calling Excel Energy our power company here in the Twin Cities yesterday I received a call back from Greg Gorski for Mark Miller this afternoon. He asked a few questions of the intention of our group and pointed us in the direction of the MISO Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator. https://www.midwestiso.org.

Tomorrow I will be contacting the Century College Foundation again to set a meeting with Jill Greenhalgh and others to lock down a pledge amount. Currently the $1.2 amount can be increased if the college is willing to host a permanent biomass power station. I will continue seeking property in Williams Town, KS to set up our facility there. I’m still working with the City officials in Afton, MN and St. Paul, MN to on Permits and Zoning. On a personal note everyone is working hard to see this through to the end.

I also met a young lady in Roseville, MN that has the same passion and determination that the Paris Group abides by day to day. Alexandra Urshan is an active blogger and has a great future ahead of her. So today I made her our newest junior member joining Erik Anderson that has been an active junior member since 2008. Seeing young people so active in the future of our country with such passion is the biggest bonus I could ever wish for.