FORM 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 1, 1998.
HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Kansas #1-8680
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File
incorporation) Number)
200 W. Douglas #48-0901658
Suite #820 (IRS Employer
Wichita, Kansas 67202 Identification No.)
(Address of principal
executive offices)
(316) 269-4310
(Registrant's telephone number)
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Item 5 Other Information
Wichita, Kansas - July 1, 1998 - High Plains Corporation today announced the
formation of a new four-person senior management team that will lead the
efforts to achieve the corporate objectives of higher operating efficiency and
low-cost production.
Leading the new management team is Chief Executive Officer, Gary R. Smith, who
adds the title of President, replacing Raymond Friend whom has resigned to
pursue other interests.
The other senior management team members include Chris Standlee, who is
promoted from Corporate Vice President and General Counsel to Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer; Dianne Rice, who adds the title of Vice President
to her previous title of Chief Financial Officer; and Greg Heuer, who assumes
the title of Director of Plant Operations.
Smith has repeatedly stated since his appointment as CEO in April that High
Plains must achieve profitability through higher efficiency and low-cost
operation. "The capabilities, enthusiasm and boundless energy of Chris
Standlee, Dianne Rice and Greg Heuer are evident to everyone who works with
them. Their collective educational backgrounds and work experiences provide
High Plains with a tremendous resource of which we will take full advantage to
achieve our goals," noted Mr. Smith.
Standlee, who joined High Plains Corporation in 1995, previously was a partner
in the law firm of Coombs & Standlee, Chartered. He is a graduate of Yale
University and the University of Kansas School of Law.
Rice, a Certified Public Accountant, was recruited to high Plains Corporation
in 1994 from the accounting firm of Allen, Gibbs and Houlik. She is a graduate
of Kansas Newman College.
Heuer joined High Plains Corporation in 1985 and has served as General Plant
Manager of the Company's Colwich, KS ethanol production facility. Heuer holds
a Masters Degree in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville.
Mr. Friend has elected to remain in the environmental industry by accepting the
position of President/CEO of The L.A.W. Group, Inc. which is a Wichita, Kansas-
based, private manufacturing and sales company operating under the tradename
"CryoKinetics." Mr. Friend's thirteen years of ethanol industry experience
will continue to be available as he will remain on High Plains' Board of
Directors and has also agreed to serve the Company on a consulting basis.
Based in Wichita, Kansas, High Plains Corporation is among the Nation's largest
producers of ethanol. The Company operates production facilities in Colwich,
Kansas; York, Nebraska; and Portales, New Mexico.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant had duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date July 1, 1998 HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
/s/Gary R. Smith
Chief Executive Officer
