MGP Ingredients Announces Promotions

ATCHISON, KSLi Nie, Ph.D., has been promoted to the position of director of biopolymer technology at MGP Ingredients, Inc. (MGPI). He joined the company as principal polymer scientist in 1994.

In his new capacity, Nie is responsible for overseeing research projects and developing applications for MGPIs Terratek line of biobased and biodegradable polymers. Produced from wheat starch and protein at the companys facility on Onaga, KS, Terratek was created to address growing interest in eco-friendly goods derived from natural sources. Because these unique polymers can be formed into a variety of shapes and sizes, they have an extensive range of applications in both pliable and hard plastic products.

Dr. Nie has performed a very significant role in the development and advancement of natural polymer technology at our company, said Sukh Bassi, Ph.D., vice president of new product innovation and technology and chief science officer. His work in this area has been outstanding and has resulted in a number of products and patents related to pet treat applications as well as bio-plastics. He is a key member of our scientific staff and highly deserving of this newest promotion and the increased level of responsibilities that come with it.

Prior to joining MGP Ingredients, Nie spent time as a research associate at the Michigan Biotechnology Institute, where he was involved in the development of biodegradable polymers. He also has served as visiting scholar at Purdue University and as a lecturer in the department of chemistry and chemical engineering at Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, China. He additionally has co-authored several scientific papers and other publications involving polymer research.

Nie is a native of Shanghai, China. He received a bachelors degree in chemical engineering from the East China University of Chemical Technology, Shanghai, in 1984 and a masters degree in chemical engineering from that same university in 1987. He earned in doctorate in chemical engineering at Michigan State University in 1994. In 2004, Dr. Nie was named MGP Ingredients, Inc. Scientist of the Year.

MGPI has also announced that Laura Bellman has been promoted to the position of director of environmental, health and safety (EHS) programs at the companys Atchison plant. She joined MGPI as an environmental engineer in the fall of 2004. In addition to maintaining the responsibilities of that position, she also becomes responsible for plant-wide EHS program development, with emphasis on continued enhancements to the companys process safety management program and EHS internal auditing functions.

Lauras commitment and her attention to detail in all facets of her work have made her a highly valued member of our team, said Ken Trompeter, corporate director of environmental, health and safety. She possesses a great deal of engineering experience, which she has successfully applied to increasing the effectiveness and positive impact of our EHS initiatives. We are very pleased to acknowledge her outstanding service to the company with this promotion, and are certain she will continue to excel.

Before joining MGPI, Bellman served as a project engineer with Compliance Engineering, Kansas City, KS, from 1997 to 1999 and from 2003 to 2004. Between her years of employment there, she resided with the Benedictine Sisters in Clyde, MO, where she provided engineering, contract management and maintenance project services. From 1992 to 1997, she was employed as a regional environmental engineer for PQ Corp., Kansas City, KS.

Bellmans career has also included employment as a regional environmental and safety engineer with Cook Composites and Polymers, North Kansas City, MO, project engineer with Archer Engineers, Kansas City, MO, and General Motors Kansas City, KS, and process and safety supervisor for the Clorox Company, Kansas City, MO. She is a graduate of the University of California-Davis, where she earned both her bachelors degree and masters degree in mechanical engineering.

About MGP Ingredients, Inc.
MGP Ingredients, Inc. is a fully integrated producer of ingredients and distillery products. Ingredients primarily consist of specialty and commodity wheat proteins and starches for food and non-food applications. Distillery products consist of food grade alcohol and fuel grade alcohol. The company also produces mill feed and distillers feed as by-products of its manufacturing processes. The company processes its products at plants located in Atchison, Kansas, where the Company is headquartered, and in Pekin, IL. The company also operates a facility in Kansas City, KS, for the further processing and extrusion of proteins and starches derived principally from wheat, and a facility in Onaga, KS for the manufacturing of wood composite resins and plant-based biopolymers.