Videchak joins MARC-IV as engine-biofuels integration specialist

Videchak

MARC-IV Consulting (M4) announced June 18 the addition of Courtney Videchak as its new diesel-engine and low-carbon fuels integration specialist, reinforcing M4’s role as a national technical leader in advancing biodiesel, renewable diesel and other clean-fuel technologies.

Videchak brings expertise in diesel-engine calibrations for low-carbon fuels and a deep understanding of lifecycle greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions.

She joins M4 at a pivotal time, as the biodiesel and renewable diesel industries prepare the way for significant potential industry growth to meet industry goals to achieve 6 billion gallons in 2030 and 15 billion gallons in 2050.

“While the future of some low-carbon options is uncertain in today’s environment, the fundamentals and technical foundation for biodiesel has never been stronger,” said Steve Howell, the founding partner of MARC-IV and longtime chair of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force. “Courtney’s hiring is part of our long-term strategy to support deeper collaboration with original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs), advance ASTM standards and help our partners transition to higher-blend levels of lower-carbon fuels. She brings the right mix of scientific prowess, practical application and new vigor to help us lead the industry to 2030, 2050 and beyond.”

Videchak earned her doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, where her research focused on determining fuel-specific engine calibrations for low-carbon fuels like B100 and R100 and their blends.

Her work quantified the lifecycle-GHG reductions possible when engine performance is optimized for alternative fuels.

She has worked with Ford Motor Co.’s research and advanced-engineering team and with the Michigan Soybean Association as a subject-matter expert.

In 2025, she was honored with the Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant by the Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation.

“The opportunity to apply my research in a way that directly supports the decarbonization of the transportation sector by collaborating with fleets, fuel producers and policymakers is exciting—and critical,” Videchak said. “I am thrilled to join the MARC-IV team to help accelerate the adoption of clean fuels across emerging markets and introducing more people to the promise of clean fuels.”

Videchak will assist in technical project management, regulatory support, OEM engagement and renewable fuels education, while working closely with Howell on ASTM standards development.

She will also help document and communicate scientific findings for training and outreach, supporting M4’s mission to translate research into scalable action.

“Dr. Videchak’s research required both amassing a large amount of high-quality experimental data and making sense of that data in a way that could provide valuable insights into the optimization of the use of biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels,” said André Boehman, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. “I am immensely proud of what Courtney accomplished, both in the laboratory and through her interactions with the renewable fuels community.”

As M4 continues to expand its reach, the organization remains committed to supporting innovation, standards development and real-world adoption of biodiesel and renewable diesel.

Videchak’s hiring is one more signal that the biodiesel industry’s future remains bright, science-driven and full of opportunity, Howell said.