Mr. Rastetter is a lifelong Iowan committed to making a difference in the state. He is a successful entrepreneur of agriculture and energy-related companies, as well as a community leader dedicated to improving the quality and affordability of higher education in Iowa. He learned the value of hard work and education growing up on his 300-acre family farm outside of Alden. He then attended Ellsworth Community College and the University of Iowa. After graduating he returned to his roots to start his own feed management business. The success of the business led him to additional start-ups—a building construction entity and a swine production operation—which he later merged into Heartland Pork Enterprises. He guided Heartland’s acquisition by Christensen Farms to become the fourth largest U.S. pork producer. A true entrepreneur, Mr. Rastetter co-founded Hawkeye Energy Holdings in 2003, which grew to become one of America’s largest pure-play ethanol producers. He served as CEO until 2011. Today, Mr. Rastetter serves as CEO of Summit Agricultural Group, LLC, a leader in agribusiness, production agriculture, renewable energy and international development. Mr. Rastetter, an active philanthropist and community leader, supports efforts focused on education and entrepreneurship. He is a past president of the Iowa Board of Regents and serves on the board of FS Agrisolutions and the Cultivation Corridor.