The Renewable Fuels Association celebrated 40 years of industry leadership this week during its annual membership meeting in Des Moines. Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy Management, was re-elected as chairperson. She became the first female chairperson elected in the history of RFA last year, and first among any national ethanol trade association.

“Without question, 2021 has been a year of change for the ethanol industry, and through it all the Renewable Fuels Association has continued to lead the industry forward, just as the organization has done for 40 years,” McCaherty said. “Our recent carbon neutrality commitment is a poignant example of RFA’s reputation as a thought leader and an agent of change, and I look forward to working with RFA’s members and staff this next year as we embrace change and zero in on new opportunities for ethanol.”

RFA’s board also re-elected Badger State Ethanol CEO Erik Huschitt as Vice Chairman, and Absolute Energy’s Rick Schwarck as Secretary. Mike Jerke, CEO of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, was elected Treasurer, replacing the retiring Charlie Wilson of Trenton Agri Products.

RFA also welcomed new members this week. EcoEngineers and Cozairo Consultants became the organization’s newest associate members, while ICM, Inc. was welcomed as the group’s newest producer member. “RFA has had a long and fruitful relationship with ICM as an associate member, and we are thrilled to now welcome the company and its ICM Biofuels biorefinery to our producer member ranks,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “ICM CEO Dave VanderGriend is one of the true pioneers in the ethanol industry, and he’s been a longtime friend of the RFA. We’re pleased to have Dave joining our board of directors and look forward to working more closely with the entire ICM team.” VanderGriend received RFA’s annual industry award in 2012.