During the Growth Energy Advocacy Conference this week in Washington DC, former Growth Energy CEO and current co-chairman of the board, Tom Buis, was presented with the America’s Fuel award. The award is the highest honor given by Growth Energy, and is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the growth and well-being of the ethanol industry.

Buis served as Growth Energy’s CEO for seven years, and was an instrumental figure in advancing the ethanol industry to where it is today. His many achievements include: advocating for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS); submitting and receiving approval on the Green Jobs Waiver to allow E15 into 21st century engines; the launch of Prime the Pump and Growth Energy’s work with the USDA Biofuels Infrastructure Program to bring blender pumps into the marketplace; foreign market development initiatives and trade missions to expand ethanol globally; organizing the collection of tens of thousands of comments to the U.S. EPA for the 2014-16 proposed Renewable Volume Obligation rule that eventually led to the breaking of the so-called “blend wall” and many more.

Growth Energy CEO, Emily Skor, said of Buis, “It is because of Tom’s hard work and dedication that Growth Energy is the leading voice of the ethanol industry. He laid the foundation for a dynamic organization that began as a startup and is now the largest association of ethanol producers and supporters. His passion and dedication are an asset to this industry, and we are thankful that he will serve as co-chairman of the board of directors.”

The organization also honored several lawmakers for their support of renewable fuels during the event this week.