Clean Fuels Alliance America, formerly known as the National Biodiesel Board, honored some of the pioneers who got the industry to where it is today during the National Biodiesel Conference celebrating 30 years of cleaner fuels.
The eleven past chairs of the National Biodiesel Board were presented with the Kenlon Johannes Pioneer Award. Pioneering a path forward, the past chairs laid the groundwork from technical and legislative efforts to education and awareness. They overcame some of the industry’s biggest hurdles and delivered on many successes.
Their backgrounds are varied, including both farmers and biodiesel producers, but they all shared a passion for the industry and its success. Current Chair Chad Stone honored these past chairs with the Kenlon Johannes Pioneer Award:
Gary Ellington, 1992 – 1995
Jim Gay, 1995 – 1999
Roger Peterson, 1999
Jack Hartman, 1999 – 2001
Bob Metz, 2001 – 2004
Darryl Brinkmann, 2004 – 2007
Ed Hegland, 2007 – 2010
Gary Haer, 2010 – 2013
Steven Levy, 2013 – 2015
Ron Marr, 2015 – 2016
Kent Engelbrecht, 2016 – 2019
Six of the 11 honorees were able to be present at the conference and receive the award in person. Left to right, they are Gary Ellington, Bob Metz, Darryl Brinkmann, Ed Hegland, Ron Marr, and Kent Engelbrecht.
Mahanth Joishy’s mission is to help the thriving city of Madison, Wisconsin, become one of the most sustainable cities in the world — with biodiesel at the heart of the effort. When Joishy became the city’s fleet manager in 2017, one of his first acts was to switch the city’s heavy-duty fleet — about 500 vehicles — to blends of biodiesel fuel. It is that passion that earned Joishy the Biodiesel Inspiration Award this year, presented at the 
Recently retired as President and CEO of the North American Renderers Association, Nancy Foster was a significant influence in feedstock expansion for the biodiesel and renewable diesel industries. Her leadership within NARA has helped continue to grow and solidify biodiesel’s sustainability messaging throughout the country and is the reason she was chosen for this year’s Influencer Award. 
Speaking on the Vehicle Technology Showcase panel, James Hopkins, Executive Director of Engine Business Strategy for Cummins, Inc. said, “Increasing the utilization of low-carbon fuels, including biodiesel, can make a meaningful impact in reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles already in use. Cummins is committed to supporting the use of biodiesel, and it is an important part of our plans to reduce CO2 in commercial vehicle markets. In fact, almost all our products are able to use B20 biodiesel blends today, and we are working to support increasing blends in the future.”
Danan Dou, Manager of Advanced Technology and Innovation for John Deere said, “As John Deere works to help farmers address the rising demand for farm productivity to feed and fuel the world, there is no doubt that advances in technology will continue to play an important and necessary role. Dou continued, “We are committed to innovation for a sustainable future, and we consider low-carbon fuels such as biodiesel an important avenue to reduce CO2 while also maintaining our commitment to our customers. John Deere fully supports the use of B20 biodiesel blends in all of our diesel equipment.”
Recently retired 
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John Benish Jr. is the second-generation executive of Cook-Illinois Corporation, a family-owned and operated school bus company based in Oak Brook, Illinois. He began powering his fleet of more than 2,200 school buses with biodiesel blends in 2005. 
Mahanth Joishy became the fleet manager for Madison, Wisconsin in 2017, and one of his first acts was to switch the city’s heavy-duty fleet — about 500 vehicles — to blends of biodiesel fuel. 
The biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industries will come together this week at the 
During her 2022 Condition of the State speech this week, 