The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has announced a new state governmental affairs director with longtime director Shelby Neal departing the organization and Floyd Vergara assuming the leadership role in directing NBB’s nationwide program.

“While we are sad to see Shelby go after 12 tremendous years leading NBB’s state policy team, we could not be more thrilled to have someone of Floyd’s caliber on deck to take over this critical leadership role,” said NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen. “Floyd’s passion, work ethic, and vast regulatory experience will be a tremendous value to our membership as climate programs take center stage driving the market for low carbon fuels like biodiesel and renewable diesel now and into the future.”

Vergara opened NBB’s West Coast office in November 2019 after more than 32 years at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in various top leadership positions. Most recently, he served as Chief of the Industrial Strategies Division and Assistant Chief of the Research Division. Over the years, Vergara oversaw a number of CARB’s key climate and air quality programs, including the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Cap-and-Trade program, among others.

Neal will be departing NBB October 16 to take a position at Darling Ingredients as the company’s V.P. for Renewables and Energy Policy in its global headquarters office located in Irving, Texas. Vergara will assume Neal’s leadership position within NBB immediately following his departure.