At its 39th annual conference last week in Minneapolis, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) presented awards honoring those who have given outstanding service to the ethanol industry.

Kenton Johnson, CEO of Granite Falls Energy & Heron Lake BioEnergy, was recognized with the organization’s Grassroots award who epitomize ACE’s efforts from the ground up.

The strength of ACE is found within the collective grassroots, devoted individuals who often perform behind the scenes to advance the cause of ethanol. Johnson is a farmer and longtime board member of several ethanol plants and has been a steadfast champion of ACE, consistently encouraging plants to become members and actively supporting the organization’s mission. His efforts have been instrumental in growing and strengthening ACE’s membership base.

“I’ve had a fantastic experience here at ACE,” said Johnson. “I think I was 22 or 23 years old when I first stepped on the board and went on my first Hill visit and kind of dove into policy with Ron Lamberty and Brian Jennings and some key board members that have kind of mentored me along the way. And it’s a real honor to win this award.”

Interview with Kenton Johnson, CEO Granite Falls Energy & Heron Lake BioEnergy, Grassroots Award recipient
Kenton Johnson, Grassroots Award 4:53

Fifteen years ago, ACE created the Marketing Vision Award in memory of Indy Racing League driver Paul Dana, to recognize leadership in promoting the expansion of the availability of higher blends of ethanol to consumers. The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association received the award this year for its sustained leadership in expanding ethanol demand and increasing consumer access to higher ethanol blends that have contributed to Minnesota achieving five consecutive years of record E15 sales.

Executive Director Brian Werner accepted the award on behalf of the organization. “It’s really an honor to be recognized with this award from the American Coalition for Ethanol. They do so much work with grassroots, with ethanol plants, with ethanol plant board members. So it’s really an honor to be recognized for the work that we are also doing at the grassroots level. Going out working with fuel retailers, helping them install new infrastructure that can accommodate higher blends of ethanol like E15, but also doing that consumer education piece.”

Interview with Brian Werner, Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award
Brian Wermer, MN Bio-Fuels Assoc. 6:23

Werner also participated in the retailer panel at the conference with ACE CMO Ron Lamberty and Jeff Wilkerson with Pearson Fuels.
Retailer Panel 43:52

2026 ACE Conference photo album