Mahanth Joishy’s mission is to help the thriving city of Madison, Wisconsin, become one of the most sustainable cities in the world — with biodiesel at the heart of the effort. When Joishy became the city’s fleet manager in 2017, one of his first acts was to switch the city’s heavy-duty fleet — about 500 vehicles — to blends of biodiesel fuel. It is that passion that earned Joishy the Biodiesel Inspiration Award this year, presented at the 2022 National Biodiesel Conference.
Under Joishy’s leadership, diesel vehicles, from fire trucks to parks department mowers to the all-important snowplows, now run on up to a 20% biodiesel blend (B20) most of the year. The city is even retrofitting 17 fleet service vehicles to run on 100% on biodiesel fuel (B100) year-round. Joishy’s leadership and passion will continue to inspire other cities and fleets to expand their use of biodiesel fuel.
Joishy was also named a Biodiesel Ambassador just prior to the conference kickoff. Listen to his comments after receiving the Inspiration Award.
Mahanth Joishy Remarks (1:05)
Recently retired as President and CEO of the North American Renderers Association, Nancy Foster was a significant influence in feedstock expansion for the biodiesel and renewable diesel industries. Her leadership within NARA has helped continue to grow and solidify biodiesel’s sustainability messaging throughout the country and is the reason she was chosen for this year’s Influencer Award.
Unfortunately, Foster was not able to attend the conference to receive her award in person but the industry would not have been the same without her voice in D.C. She also worked for the American Soybean Association as their chief lobbyist and director of ASA’s Washington office — where she successfully gained Congressional passage of landmark legislation to establish the national soybean checkoff for research and promotion.
Speaking on the Vehicle Technology Showcase panel, James Hopkins, Executive Director of Engine Business Strategy for Cummins, Inc. said, “Increasing the utilization of low-carbon fuels, including biodiesel, can make a meaningful impact in reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles already in use. Cummins is committed to supporting the use of biodiesel, and it is an important part of our plans to reduce CO2 in commercial vehicle markets. In fact, almost all our products are able to use B20 biodiesel blends today, and we are working to support increasing blends in the future.”
Danan Dou, Manager of Advanced Technology and Innovation for John Deere said, “As John Deere works to help farmers address the rising demand for farm productivity to feed and fuel the world, there is no doubt that advances in technology will continue to play an important and necessary role. Dou continued, “We are committed to innovation for a sustainable future, and we consider low-carbon fuels such as biodiesel an important avenue to reduce CO2 while also maintaining our commitment to our customers. John Deere fully supports the use of B20 biodiesel blends in all of our diesel equipment.”
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John Benish Jr. is the second-generation executive of Cook-Illinois Corporation, a family-owned and operated school bus company based in Oak Brook, Illinois. He began powering his fleet of more than 2,200 school buses with biodiesel blends in 2005. 
Mahanth Joishy became the fleet manager for Madison, Wisconsin in 2017, and one of his first acts was to switch the city’s heavy-duty fleet — about 500 vehicles — to blends of biodiesel fuel. 
The biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industries will come together this week at the 
During her 2022 Condition of the State speech this week, 
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