American Laboratories, Inc

Thiele Geotech is a consulting engineering firm that specializes in geotechnical, material and environmental engineering services. Founded in 1996, the firm maintains a fleet of more than five drill rigs. Its in-house soil laboratory conducts a range of tests to evaluate engineering properties of soils. Thiele Geotech s staff is trained in performing geotechnical analysis of various projects that include commercial and industrial facilities, bridges, airfields, highways, railroads, dams and other earth structures. The firm s environmental services include site assessments, contract drillings and underground storage tank remediation. Thiele Geotech specializes in the use of recycled concrete and asphalt in construction. The firm is also accredited by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and is located in Omaha, Neb.

Green Plains Renewable Energy is an ethanol producer that offers a range of agronomy services. The company maintains ethanol plants in Iowa, Indiana and Tennessee. It specializes in ethanol production, blending and distribution services. The company offers ethanol marketing services under third-party contracts. Green Plains Renewable Energy s plants produce more than 300 million gallons of ethanol annually. It administers a variety of research and development programs. The company s agribusiness subsidiary, Green Plains Grain, operates grain storage facilities that have a capacity of over 20 million bushels. In addition, Green Plains Grain offers petroleum products in northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota.

Founded in 1981, the National Research Corporation is a provider of ongoing survey-based performance measurement, analysis and tracking services to the health care industry. The company offers data that profiles physician, provider and health plan performance and enables health care providers to measure the care outcomes, specifically satisfaction and health status, of their patients and/or members. The information provided by National Research is necessary for providers to comply with industry and regulatory standards and to improve their business practices and maximize patient attraction, patient retention and profitability. In May 2001, the company acquired the Picker Institute s health care survey business. In March 2003, it acquired Smaller World Communications a provider of survey-based performance measurement, analysis and evaluation to the health care industry. The National Research Corporation is headquartered in Lincoln, Neb.