Meet Our Staff

Our team features the most combined experience working on behalf of U.S. ethanol.
Tad Hepner

VP, Strategy and Innovation

[email protected]

Tad Hepner serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Innovation for the Renewable Fuels Association. Tad leads the development and implementation of a wide range of initiatives focused on building demand and new markets for ethanol and other bio-products made by the association’s member companies.

 

Prior to joining RFA, Hepner led North American biofuels and derivatives business development efforts for Clariant, a Swiss multinational specialty chemical organization with technology applications in catalyst, second generation cellulosic biofuels, and new conversion biotechnologies. Hepner also held various positions at POET, ranging from scientific research to technology and business development. He specialized in applications of new biotech, regulatory navigation, and adjacent space opportunities for the biofuels industry. He has led projects in cellulosic feedstock collection and conversion, animal feed products, coproduct utilization, carbon capture/storage as well as production of biofuels from corn kernel fiber. Tad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of South Dakota and an MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the University of Sioux Falls.