SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (July 3, 2013) – POET has hired Rob Walther as Director of Federal Affairs, tasked with opening a POET office in Washington, D.C.

Walther will represent POET and highlight the value of domestic, renewable biofuel in talks with members of Congress, their staffs and federal agencies regulating renewable fuels.

“My career has always centered on work to create a sustainable transportation fuel sector,” Walther said. “POET’s goals align perfectly with that, and I’m excited to be part of their efforts.”

“Rob’s diverse policy experience puts him in a great position to communicate how biofuels fit into the national and world energy picture,” said Kyle Gilley, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Corporate Affairs. “I’m excited we are able to bring his talents to POET.”

Previously, Walther held several energy-related policy positions in Washington, D.C. including Deputy Director for Energy at Third Way, a D.C. organization dedicated to promoting moderate policies; professional staff for the Committee on Science and Technology in the U.S. House of Representatives; and associate at the firm Wexler & Walker, PPA. Rob’s policy expertise includes the Renewable Fuel Standard and biofuels, oil and gas production, gasoline prices and the power sector. Rob holds a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a BA in History from Dartmouth College.

About POET

POET, one of the world’s largest ethanol producers, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 25-year-old company has a production capacity in excess of 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-protein animal feed annually from its network of 27 production facilities. POET also operates a pilot-scale cellulosic bio-ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs, leaves, husk and some stalk as feedstock, and expects to commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa through its joint venture with DSM. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.