The Renewable Fuels Association is holding its annual membership meeting this week in Kansas City, Missouri, where they elected officers and board of directors for the 2027 fiscal year. Derek Peine, CEO of Western Plains Energy in Oakley, Kan., was re-elected chairman and Thomas Harwood, CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, Minn., won re-election as vice chairman.

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 be re-elected chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association and grateful for the continued trust of our members,” Peine said. “We’ve made important progress over the past year, but there is much more work to do. As I begin my second year as chairman, I’m focused on building on that momentum—expanding the next wave of opportunities for biofuels, strengthening rural economies, providing affordable fuel choices and advancing America’s energy security. I look forward to working with our members and partners to deliver results and make the most of the opportunities ahead.”

RFA board members also elected Tim Winters, president and CEO of Western New York Energy, as board treasurer; and Tom Paitrick, CEO of Heartland Corn Products, as board secretary.

Re-elected to leadership of the Renewable Fuels Foundation for 2027 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.