WASHINGTON – Agriculture industry advocate Jessica Bennett has joined the Renewable Fuels Association as vice president of external affairs. Bennett, who joined RFA today, will primarily focus on building stakeholder support through policy and messaging.

Bennett has been involved with the agriculture industry for more than 15 years. She was most recently director of renewable fuels for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), where she also previously served as director of public policy handling ethanol issues. Prior to her time at NCGA, she worked at Bunge North America as director of government relations and was responsible for representing the company’s interests on issues related to agriculture at the federal level. She has previously worked as the federal affairs representative for various trade associations representing agriculture and small businesses over the past several years, and served as a staff person in the offices of two members of Congress from Arkansas.

In addition to helping on policy and messaging, Bennett will provide strategic counsel on RFA’s internal and external communications, build stronger relationships with industry stakeholders and partners, and assist with legislative and regulatory efforts as needed.

“Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge about agriculture and public policy to RFA,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “She will be a tremendous asset both to our organization and the entire industry as we continue to pursue legislative and regulatory efforts to grow ethanol domestically and around the globe. I welcome Jessica to RFA and am confident she will help us meet our goals, in the halls of Congress and throughout the country.”

“I am thrilled to be joining RFA and look forward to helping enhance outreach to stakeholders and strategic partners,” said Bennett. “The ethanol industry has an important role in the rural economy and beyond and I hope to amplify that message. We have a great story to tell and I look forward to leading the effort for RFA,” she added.