Petroleum and fuel equipment expert Cassie Mullen has joined the Renewable Fuels Association as director of market development. Mullen, who began in her position today, will primarily focus on working with the supply chain to facilitate expansion of infrastructure capable of offering higher level ethanol blends to consumers. Mullen has been working with fuel retailers for more than two decades, conducting station equipment evaluations, providing equipment recommendations and helping them build new stations. She is well versed in environmental compliance, EMV and major oil branding and marketing agreements. She even owned retail stations during her career. Mullen spent nearly six years as business development/manager for Kansas-based fuel equipment business P.B. Hoidale and nearly 10 years as director of sales and marketing for Missouri-based Neumayer Equipment Co. Most recently, she worked as an executive for Seneca Companies, managing a 17-state territory of retailer accounts. "Cassie brings a wealth of fuel equipment and fuel marketing experience to the RFA," said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. "Cassie's expertise will prove to be invaluable as the U.S. ethanol industry works with downstream partners to offer greater access to higher level ethanol blends such as E15, E85, and future ethanol-based high octane fuels. Infrastructure is critically important for future growth of the ethanol industry. Between USDA's Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership Program and the industry's Prime the Pump initiative, Cassie's unique background and knowledge will be in high demand. She will be a welcome addition to the RFA team, already known for its unrivaled technical and regulatory expertise. Cassie knows the players in the retail market and she knows the business case for higher ethanol blends. Her impact will be felt immediately." "I am thrilled to be joining RFA and look forward to working with their technical and marketing staff to help support the market's transition to higher-level ethanol blends," said Mullen. "My background working with fuel retailers and owning stations gives me a unique perspective, and I plan to use that knowledge to help boost consumer access to higher ethanol blends. Retailers are increasingly interested in offering a broader array of fuel choices, and I plan to help them understand and pursue the value proposition associated with higher level ethanol blends."
