Ethanol Industry Mourns Loss of Randy Ives

Cindy Zimmerman

Family and friends surround Randy Ives in August 2019

The ethanol industry lost a pioneer and a great friend this week as Randy Ives, 63, of Omaha, Nebraska has passed away after a courageous battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Ives was a U.S. Grains Council (USGC) delegate and a key figure in the development of distiller’s dried grain with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol market development programs. In the mid-90s, Ives became one of the co-founders of ICM with Dave Vandergriend, serving as vice president and then president of ICM Marketing. He went on to work with United Bio Energy, Hawkeye Gold, Gavilon, and Pellet Technology USA.

“Randy was a dear friend and mentor to many of us in the ethanol industry, and he will be remembered as a dedicated and passionate advocate for ethanol and value-added agriculture,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “He was one of the first people I met in the industry more than 15 years ago and I learned a great deal from him over the years. Randy’s tireless efforts to promote the value and benefits of distillers grains and other co-products were instrumental in creating new markets and growth opportunities for the ethanol industry. He will be sorely missed.”

In August, Ives was honored by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) for his work on behalf of the ethanol industry and he accepted the award with his wife and daughter by his side and many friends who shared his impact on their lives and the industry.

Randy is survived by his wife Denise of 39 years, daughter Gabriella, son-in-law Alex and grandson Micah; son Grant, daughter-in-law Sabraand and granddaughter Sadie. His celebration of life will be on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1:00 pm at Citylight Church (3401 Oakview Drive, Omaha, NE).

Listen to an interview with Randy conducted in August 2019.
Interview with Randy Ives at 2019 ACE Conference

ACE, Audio, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, USGC