The Renewable Fuels Association elected officers and board members this week at its annual membership meeting in Des Moines.

Erik Huschitt, CEO of Badger State Ethanol, was re-elected as chairman of the organization. “If the ethanol industry has learned anything over the past 20 years, it’s to not get complacent in the good times, and that we must stay vigilant and be prepared to fight for every inch gained,” Huschitt said. “The Inflation Reduction Act and other policies have the potential to create an enormous amount of opportunity for our industry, but we need to engage aggressively to see that implementation is science-based and technology-neutral.”

Huschitt also currently serves as president of the Wisconsin BioFuels Association.

Jeff Oestmann, CEO of Aztalan Bio, was re-elected as vice chairman of the RFA board. Oestmann was CEO of Granite Falls Energy prior becoming CEO of the former Valero ethanol plant in the town of Aztalan, Wisconsin earlier this year.

“Erik Huschitt and Jeff Oestmann have proven themselves as strategic leaders deeply committed to the role ethanol can play not just in their own communities, but also across our nation and around the world,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This is an important time for the ethanol industry and in their first year of leadership, Erik and Jeff provided true leadership and guidance as we faced many challenges and opportunities, and we’re excited to see where the board take us in 2024.”

Retaining their current positions in board leadership for 2024 are Rick Schwarck, President of Absolute Energy, as Board Secretary, and Mike Jerke, CEO of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, as Treasurer.