The Renewable Fuels Association’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) was formed in July 2020 and is dedicated to bringing together innovative and dedicated young professionals from across the U.S. ethanol industry. The YPN is a community of young leaders with a common goal to advance their respective businesses forward, build new relationships, and work with one another to identify new opportunities that grow and strengthen the renewable fuels industry.
The YPN hosts events year-round that are ex
Scholarships: YPN members have a unique opportunity to benefit from industry scholarships designed to advance their knowledge and networks within the ethanol industry. The Renewable Fuels Foundation provides scholarships to YPN members to attend the annual National Ethanol Conference. Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits, the main sponsor of YPN, has provided scholarships to attend its annual Biofuels Academy. Information on these opportunities is communicated to YPN members when available.
Want to learn more? Attend an upcoming event or email YPN Chairperson Justin Schultz for more information.
We’re currently in the process of gathering speakers for upcoming webinars that will feature industry leaders and subject matter experts. If your company is interested in contributing to the professional development of the YPN, please contact Justin to learn more.
Check out the YPN Year in Review
Membership is open to any young professional who is 39 years old or younger, employed by a company in the U.S. ethanol industry or stakeholder industries, and based in the U.S. Members should also be interested in RFA’s mission to drive demand for American-made renewable fuels and bioproducts worldwide.
Membership is free and applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. Members are required to participate in at least one engagement (event, webinar, etc.) per year to maintain their membership status.
To start the process, interested individuals should complete the following online application.
RFA Young Professionals Network Application
Calendar of Events
November 8, 2023, Webinar
February 20, 2024, Happy Hour/Social at NEC, San Diego
March 13, 2024, Webinar
May 8, 2024, Webinar
June 11, 2024, Cocktail Hour at FEW, Minneapolis, MN
September 26, 2024, Breakfast at RFA Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI
Breakfast at RFA Annual Meeting
Des Moines, IA | September 26, 2023
Networking Event @ Fuel Ethanol Workshop
Omaha, NE | June 13, 2023 (subject to change)
Reception @ National Ethanol Conference
Orlando, FL | March 1, 2023
RFA Annual Meeting
Milwaukee, WI | September 28-29, 2022
Scoring Social Hour at Fuel Ethanol Workshop
Minneapolis, MN | June 14, 2022
Carbon Intensity and CI Accounting Best Practices Webinar
May 25, 2022
Supply Chains Disruptions and How to Respond Webinar
April 12, 2022
Social Hour @ National Ethanol Conference
New Orleans, LA | February 22, 2022
Year End Virtual Meeting
December 15, 2021
Breakfast with Ethanol Industry Veterans at RFA Annual Meeting
Des Moines, IA | September 29, 2021
Fuel Ethanol Workshop In-Person Gathering
Johnny’s Hall of Fame, Des Moines, IA | July 14, 2021
March 2021 Webinar
Ethanol Industry National Policy Update
Sponsored by: Commonwealth Agri-Energy, LLC
February 2021 Virtual Networking Event: Zoom “Meet & Greets”
RFA’s Young Professionals Network will host a series of Zoom-based “Meet & Greets” to provide an opportunity for all 95+ members to meet other YPN members and discuss dynamic industry topics.
November 2020 Webinar
Installing & Selling Higher Ethanol Blends
Sponsored by: KAAPA Ethanol Commodities, LLC
October 2020 Virtual Networking Event: Zoom “Meet & Greets”
RFA’s Young Professionals Network will host a series of Zoom-based “Meet & Greets” to provide an opportunity for all 70+ members to introduce themselves and meet other YPN members. The Meet & Greets will be broken up into five sessions that will take place over the month of October and will be limited to fifteen YPN members in order to allow for enough time for each YPN member to introduce themselves.
