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Posted on  

March 30, 2004

The Man We Called 'Mr. Gasohol'

Al Mavis, a pioneer in the ethanol industry, won’t be forgotten

The domestic ethanol industry joins many others in mourning the passing of Al Mavis, on Sunday, March 28, 2004, in his hometown of Rochester, Ill., where he had farmed for several decades. After various health problems that he always fought and conquered, in the end it was a brown recluse spider bite that wasn’t diagnosed in time.

A Dedicated Visionary
When a person mentions the pioneers of this industry who gave their time and resources, Al's name is right at the top of the list of dedicated visionaries.

Al embarked on his lifelong ethanol educational campaign in the mid-’70s. In October of 1977, he was appointed Farm Energy Conservation Coordinator for the Illinois Department of Agriculture. His concept was to achieve energy "conservation by substitution of ethanol, not by denial," as he said. Already in his first week on the job, he contacted top-level petroleum companies like Amoco to explain why using ethanol could be beneficial to them. It's impossible to list all of Al's activities during this time, but one that is remembered by many was when he made arrangements to host the WIFE (Women Involved in Farm Economics) Gasohol Caravan en route from Montana to Washington D.C. to meet with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Bob Berglund. Al also brought the concept of E-diesel, which is just now getting close to commercialization, to the attention of Illinois and Minnesota universities.

With his encouragement, the Illinois Department of Agriculture began using gasohol in its fleet. Joe Lucco, chairman of the Illinois Energy Commission, conducted an Energy Conference at which, as Al related, "I made a speech and finished by pouring a gallon jug of fortified 190 proof into his car tank. Mr. Lucco then drove with us to Wood River, where he introduced me to Clint Southard, Southard Oil, Amoco agent, who wanted to get started blending." Al converted his own 1975 Ford LTD to operate on 100 percent ethanol and drove it everywhere with no problem. Representative Paul Finely added a second fuel tank to his campaign car and, with the use of a University of Illinois emission tester, they drove it to community meetings everywhere to demonstrate the reduction in pollution.

Al was invited to Washington DC to a breakfast briefing on ethanol for Charles Duncan prior to his appearance before the Senate for confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Energy. In November 1979, he then organized and hosted the first Alcohol Fuels Day at which Senator Duncan was the Keynote speaker.

The list of Al's promotional and educational efforts and successes goes on and on. Al is an individual who will remain in the hearts of all who met him. His smile was as big as his handlebar mustache and his commitment to his wife, Joan, his family and the ethanol industry was unmatched.

His efforts and enthusiasm will always be appreciated—Mr. Gasohol won’t be forgotten.

A special fund has been established for friends who knew Al through the ethanol industry. It is the Al Mavis Ethanol Pioneer Fund. Contributions made to the fund honoring Al should be sent to the New Uses Council (a tax deductible 501(c)(3) organization). They should be designated for the Al Mavis Ethanol Pioneer Fund. 100 percent of these funds will be used to educate the pubic on the history and merits of ethanol.

Send to:
New Uses Council
C/O Doane Agricultural Services
11701 Borman Drive, Suite 300
St. Louis, MO 63146-4193
Phone: (314)372-3519
Fax: (314)569-1083
Email: info@newuses.org

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