Exhibit 10.18


 


Otter Tail Ag
Enterprises LLC


 


1220 N. Tower Road


 


Fergus Falls, MN
56537


 


April 10, 2007


 


Anthony Hicks


514 North Union Ave


Fergus Falls, MN, 56537 - 432


 


Dear Anthony,


 


Otter
Tail Ag Enterprises is pleased to have visited with you on seeking employment
with OTAE.


 


We are convinced that you
have the unique set of personal and attributes that will fit in well with the
work ethic and philosophy OTAE is looking for in an employee.


 


With this letter, I am formalizing our offer we had
visited about.


 


·                  OTAE is offering you
a position as Chief Operating Officer (COO)/Controller position. You will be in
charge of all accounting and reporting procedures within the company.


 


·                  Your starting base
salary will be $105,000. Per year.


 


·                  A bonus program spelled
out on attachment 


·                  Maximum bonus will be
30% of base salary.


 


·                  A signing bonus of
5,000 units of OTAE Class A stock at zero basis and full profit interest,
with ownership of said units to vest at 20% per year starting on Jan 1, 2008
and continue on Jan 1 of each year following until 100% is achieved.


 


·                  An opportunity to
purchase member units of the Company at a per-unit cost of $2.00 for up to
5,000 units starting Jan 1, 2008 for 2,500 units and the balance on Jan 1,
2009. This opportunity will be available if the Sarbanes Oxley Reporting
Compliance and Lender Reporting Compliance are both met.


 


·                  You will immediately
begin accumulating vacation days at the rate of 10 days per year. This is
outside of our normal rate that new employees typically accumulate vacation
days (i.e. 5 days per year). Your rate of accumulation will allow you to qualify
for two weeks paid vacation by the end the first year. As you plan your
vacations, we ask that you inform your superior at least a month in advance of
your intent to take extended vacation.


 

















 


·                  In addition to
vacation time, you qualify for our medical plan, 401K-retirement plan, health
saving account plan, and sick leave.


 


Job Responsibilities:


 


·                  Responsible for
managing all hands-on operational aspects of the company. In accordance with
the organization’s mission and values, the COO provides the leadership,
management, and vision necessary to ensure that the company has the proper
operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and support
systems in place to effectively grow the organization and to ensure financial
strength and operating efficiency. Develop, implement, and evaluates accounting
policies, reporting procedures, and accounting controls. Analyze and interpret
financial statements and reports for the guidance of top management. Maintain
relationships with banks and/or other credit sources. Participates with other
members of management in planning and controlling company operations. Assures
all required tax and information returns are prepared in compliance with all laws
and regulations.


 


I trust that this summary is an accurate and
complete reflection of the points that have discussed with you to date. Please
let me know, as soon as possible, if there are any of these conditions that are
not satisfactory.


 


I trust this meets with your approval, we would
appreciate that you sign a copy and return to my attention at our Fergus Falls
office.


 


 


	
  Sincerely,

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
  /s/
  Kelly Longtin

  	
   

  	
  /s/ Anthony J Hicks

  	
   

  
	
  Kelly
  Longtin

  	
  Anthony J Hicks

  
	
   

  
	
  Chief Executive Officer

  	
  Date: 20th
  April 2007.

  
	
   

  
	
  CC: Personnel File