David Eller is new Columbia Straw Supply general manager

STARBUCK, Wash.-Columbia Straw Supply, a Starbuck-based company that procures wheat straw for Columbia Pulp, welcomed David Eller as its new general manager on Feb. 18.

Eller most recently served as the plant and operations manager at Ash Grove Cement Company in Olathe, Kansas. He served in the Marine Corps before working in the paper and manufacturing industry where he served in various roles from plant engineer to mill superintendent. Eller has a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Southern Illinois University.

Eller said he sought the position with Columbia Straw Supply because he had worked for one of the owners previously in his career and their career and management styles are similar.

"The ability and freedom to attract, develop and retain employees while treating them like family was a big motivation," Eller said.

"We are extremely pleased to add David to our local team. Besides bringing tremendous experience to this company, he brings an innovative spirit and desire to drive us forward," said Columbia Straw Supply CEO Phil Farmer.

Eller is living in Starbuck and says he enjoys the area and the people.

"I am adapting well. The people in Starbuck and the surrounding communities have been very nice. I was raised in a small community, so it really reminds me of my youth," Eller said

"I am enjoying myself here very much. I really enjoy seeing all of the wildlife and the peaceful countryside. I enjoy not having the traffic and the stress of living near a large community, " he added.

Columbia Straw Administrative Team Leader Heidi James said that Columbia Straw started the procurement of straw in 2015 for the financial closing of Columbia Pulp to show investors that they could procure large quantities of straw. She said that in 2015, the company procured roughly 20,000 – 30,000 tons of straw.

The Columbia Pulp facility, which is nearing completion, is an innovative straw pulp processing plant, located on 449 acres near the Lyons Ferry Bridge in Columbia County.

Columbia Straw procures and stores straw and is currently delivering to "P3," the

Columbia Pulp Pilot Plant, located in Pomeroy.

"Right now, we're ramping up and storing large quantities so that when the pulp plant opens, we are ready to supply them with all of their straw needs," James said.

Early statements from Columbia Straw estimated that the plant would use a bale-a-minute and Columbia Straw is preparing for that max capacity at 24-hour operation, James said.

She said that Columbia Straw is currently contracted with about 10-15 suppliers, who work with mulitple producers.

James said Columbia Straw currently has 10 employees and that most of the employees, including office staff, are certified to run the telehandler, a rough-terrain forklift.

"We are very proud of the fact that we have well-rounded employees," James said.

Columbia Straw also prides itself on being community-minded.

"We really look at us being a small business in a small community. Our goal is to support sustainable agriculture. We want Columbia Pulp to succeed and we want to support farmers in a way that supports generation after generation of farming practices," James said.

"Especially as a farmer's wife, I want my great, great grandkids to still be working the farm and supporting what Columbia Pulp is becoming," she said.

James said that Columbia Straw makes a practice of supporting area youth by supporting 4-H and FFA.

"The best way to support our local ag community, is to support their children at fairs," James said. "We don't just buy animals, we talk with the kids and walk through the barns and ask questions," she added.

James said that, in just the next few days, Pomeroy's FFA Ag Issues team would be visiting Columbia Straw to give a practice presentation on the Columbia Pulp Facility, in preparation for state competition and that Columbia Straw would hold their next staff meeting at My Dad's Place, in Dayton, during a Parent-Teacher-Student Organization fundraiser.

When asked what he is most looking forward to, Eller said he looks forward to getting to know the people in the community.

"It's too early to really understand what challenges await us in the near future. The staff here is extremely talented and motivated to make Columbia Straw successful," Eller said, when asked about the challenges facing the company.