The Renewable Fuels Association elected officers and its board of directors for the 2026 fiscal year today at its annual membership meeting in Omaha, Neb. Derek Peine, CEO of Western Plains Energy in Oakley, Kan., was elected chairman.
Peine has spent the last 25 years working in production, technical, and management roles within the agricultural processing and renewable fuels sectors. He also serves on the board of directors for the Renew Kansas biofuels association and the Collaborative Sorghum Marketing Transformation Program.
"I'm honored to serve as chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association and grateful for the trust our members have placed in me," Peine said. "Over the years, we've weathered headwinds, but we've never lost sight of our mission. By staying focused on sound strategy, innovation, and partnerships, we're delivering real results: affordable fuel choices for drivers, stronger rural economies, and a more secure domestic energy supply. Our work, however, is far from done. Continued progress will require genuine collaboration—not only within our own ranks, but with partners in agriculture, petroleum, environmental organizations, and policymakers. I'm excited to work alongside our members and stakeholders to expand biofuels' role in driving economic growth, supporting rural communities, and strengthening America's energy independence. Together, we'll build on the progress we've made to capture the opportunities ahead."
RFA’s board also elected Thomas Harwood, CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, Minn., as vice chairman.
“Derek Peine has proven himself as a thoughtful, strategic leader at both the state and national level, and we’re excited to now have him at the helm of the Renewable Fuels Association as board chairman,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We’re also pleased to welcome Thomas Harwood as our new vice chairman. There is much work to be done in the months ahead, as the industry continues to advocate for year-round E15, defend the RFS, and push to expand markets for ethanol and other bioproducts around the world. We know these two leaders are certainly up to the task and will help our members continue to succeed and prosper.”
Elected to continue in their RFA board leadership roles are Tim Winters, president and CEO of Western New York Energy, as board secretary, and David Zimmerman, CEO of Big River Resources, as board treasurer.
Click here for the full list of RFA board members elected for FY 2026.
Elected to leadership of the Renewable Fuels Foundation for 2026 were Chairman Neal Kemmet, Ace Ethanol; Vice Chairman Eric Baukol, Redfield Energy; and Treasurer Wayne Garrett, Chief Ethanol Fuels. The foundation is dedicated to meeting the education, research and strategic planning needs of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry.
