Clean Fuels’ new leadership reflects industry’s diverse business interests, growing markets

Clean Fuels Alliance America members met in Washington, D.C., mid-November to elect new governing-board leaders.

The organization’s new leadership reflects the interests of both large and small companies, biodiesel and renewable diesel producers, as well as soybean growers and renderers.

“Clean Fuels is the leading trade association for biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel,” said Donnell Rehagen, CEO of Clean Fuels. “Our board members bring together views and priorities from each part of the clean fuel value chain. The industry is growing rapidly to meet U.S. demand for better, cleaner fuels, and that is generating economic activity and supporting well-paying job opportunities across the country. Our elected board members will help us meet the challenge of supporting growth for every sector of the industry.”

Clean Fuels members voted to fill eight board seats for two-year terms:

• Greg Anderson, Nebraska Soybean Board

• Tim Keaveney, Hero BX

• Courtney Lawrenson, Ag Processing Inc.

• Gary Louis, Seaboard Energy LLC

• Tim Ostrem, South Dakota Soybean Checkoff

• Mike Rath, Darling Ingredients Inc.

• Rob Shaffer, American Soybean Association

• Paul Teta, Kolmar Americas Inc.

Continuing to serve on the board for a second year are:

• Danielle Brannan, New Leaf Biofuel

• Kent Engelbrecht, ADM

• Neville Fernandes, Chevron Renewable Energy Group

• Chris Hill, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council

• Ryan Pederson, North Dakota Soybean Council

• Harry Simpson, Crimson Renewable Energy

• Dave Walton, Iowa Soybean Association

The board appointed Rath to serve as chair, Shaffer as vice-chair, Louis as second vice-chair, Pederson as treasurer, Teta as secretary and Engelbrecht as past chair.

“This is an exciting time for the clean-fuels industry,” said Rath, the new Clean Fuels board chair and senior vice president with Darling. “Looking back over the last two decades, the industry has made tremendous strides in introducing new fuels to the U.S. market. Our industry currently meets 5 percent of the country’s need for heavy-duty on-road transportation fuel. And our growth is accelerating to meet new markets. It’s a privilege to serve the industry and I thank my colleagues for their confidence in the board leadership and support for the association.”

Rehagen added, “We appreciate the service of our executive committee in representing the interests of the industry. I congratulate all of them on their appointments and look forward to working with them to meet the opportunities ahead.”

Clean Fuels also extended its thanks to Chad Stone, retired governing board chair from Chevron Renewable Energy Group.

“Our members elected Chad just as we launched our vision to build a 6-bilion-gallon U.S. industry by 2030,” Rehagen said. “He led our organization through its rebranding to represent all of the fuels we produce—biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. And he has left us stronger than ever, as our industry rapidly grows and diversifies to meet demand for better, cleaner fuels. We can’t thank Chad enough for his time, commitment and advocacy.”