At its annual membership meeting this week in Omaha, the Renewable Fuels Association elected Derek Peine, CEO of Western Plains Energy in Oakley, Kan., as chairman of the organization for 2026.

Peine has spent the last 25 years working in production, technical, and management roles within the agricultural processing and renewable fuels sectors. He also serves on the board of directors for the Renew Kansas biofuels association and the Collaborative Sorghum Marketing Transformation Program.

“I’m honored to serve as chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association and grateful for the trust our members have placed in me,” Peine said. “‘m excited to work alongside our members and stakeholders to expand biofuels’ role in driving economic growth, supporting rural communities, and strengthening America’s energy independence. Together, we’ll build on the progress we’ve made to capture the opportunities ahead.”

RFA’s board also elected Thomas Harwood, CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, Minn., as vice chairman.

Elected to continue in their RFA board leadership roles are Tim Winters, president and CEO of Western New York Energy, as board secretary, and David Zimmerman, CEO of Big River Resources, as board treasurer.

Elected to leadership of the Renewable Fuels Foundation for 2026 were Chairman Neal Kemmet, Ace Ethanol; Vice Chairman Eric Baukol, Redfield Energy; and Treasurer Wayne Garrett, Chief Ethanol Fuels. The foundation is dedicated to meeting the education, research and strategic planning needs of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry.