The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has announced that Ben Rhodes, currently serving as executive director of the Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB), will become chief marketing officer (CMO) for ACE beginning September 28. At the same time, ACE’s current CMO Ron Lamberty, who has served the organization for more than 25 years, will take on the new title of Chief Strategy Officer and work with Rhodes to intensify the organization’s efforts to develop new domestic and international markets for ethanol.

“I’m excited to be joining ACE at such a transformative time in the ethanol industry,” Rhodes said. “With so many new and expanded markets on the imminent horizon, my vision as CMO is to help lead those conversations moving forward. I’ve long respected the great work ACE does to deliver results for ethanol producers and add value to agriculture. I want to thank Brian, Ron, and the ACE Board of Directors for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started.”

“Ethanol’s value versus gasoline in today’s marketplace, coupled with the daily mention of E15 in fuel industry news and record E85 sales, is driving increasing interest in higher ethanol blends,” said Lamberty. “Ben’s addition to the ACE team gives us the ability to reach more prospective fuel retailers at this critical time and help them ‘do the math’ confirming the profit opportunity E15 and flex fuels provide, turning interest into new gallons. And as oil and electricity continue to increase in cost, Ben’s experience with E30 and helping expand E85 use while at NEB will help ACE maintain ethanol’s place in the low-carbon fuels discussion.”

Rhodes has served as the executive director of the Nebraska Ethanol Board since April 2025 and has led the organization’s operations, personnel and projects, including stewardship of the NEB’s groundbreaking E30 fuel demonstration in non-flex fuel vehicles. A Nebraska native, Rhodes holds a BA and an MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.