Scottsdale, AZ — Today, at the 17^th annual Executive Leadership Conference (ELC), Growth Energy honored U.S. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa with the distinguished America’s Fuel Award —an award recognizing individuals who go above and beyond in championing renewable fuels. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor commended Senator Ernst for her leadership and expressed gratitude for her commitment to advancing policies that support a bright future for American bioethanol.

“Senator Ernst has been one of the most effective biofuels champions in Congress, leading the charge to secure year-round E15, bolster the Renewable Fuel Standard, and enact programs that drive new investment in rural communities,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Always fighting for Iowa’s hardworking farmers, she has worked hard to expand opportunities for American agriculture, at home and abroad. She has been a champion in the truest sense of the word, and there is no doubt we will miss her voice in the Senate next year. We thank Senator Ernst for her unwavering commitment to homegrown fuels.”

Previous winners of the award include Dan Sanders, CEO of Front Range Energy, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Raymond E. Defenbaugh, CEO and chairman of Big River Resources LLC in West Burlington, Iowa — along with many others who have made significant contributions to the U.S. bioethanol industry.

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Growth Energy honors member excellence across the biofuels sector each year through its prestigious TOBI Awards, recognizing outstanding leadership in political advocacy, technical innovation, corporate and association leadership, communications, and global market development. These awards spotlight the individuals and organizations driving progress and advancing the industry’s impact nationwide and around the globe. Growth Energy is proud to celebrate the 2026 TOBI Award winners at its Executive Leadership Conference, set against the striking desert landscape of Scottsdale, Arizona.

“This year’s winners embody the vision, ingenuity, and determination propelling the biofuels sector forward,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Their leadership is not only strengthening rural economies but also advancing America’s energy security and reinforcing the critical role of bioethanol in our nation’s energy future.”

This year’s award for Membership was presented to Tom Solon. Solon has been a champion of biofuels and a leader across the industry, whether he’s in Washington, D.C. or his home state of Nebraska. Chief Executive Officer of Mid America Agri Products/Wheatland (MAAPW), he plays a critical role in advancing the goals of the industry and strengthening the collective voice and impact of Growth Energy.

The TOBI award for Advocacy was presented to Trevor Reuschel. A leader on Capitol Hill, in agriculture, and the biofuels industry, Reuschel has played a critical role in industry-wide negotiations and federal advocacy. As Vice President of Federal Government Relations for ADM his expertise has helped expand the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, bolster the Renewable Fuel Standard, and advance progress on year-round E15.

The TOBI award for Public Affairs was presented to Bill Couser. Couser has been an effective messenger for the industry, conveying the impact of bioethanol on rural America. As President of Couser Cattle Company, President of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation, and Vice President and Secretary of Lincolnway Energy, Couser brings the industry’s gains to life, earning support and winning over new allies along the way.

The 2026 TOBI award for Global Market Development was presented to Doug Berven. Berven has led the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council’s Ethanol Action Team on trade missions across the globe, using his mastery of the bioethanol and agriculture story to communicate the industry’s contributions to the global economy. As Vice President of Corporate Affairs at POET, Berven continues to be one of the industry’s strongest global advocates.

The TOBI award for Technical & Regulatory was presented to Dr. Bob McCormick. Dr. McCormick’s research has amassed over 16,000 citations and has been instrumental in advancing new ethanol markets, from mid-level blends to aviation and marine fuel. As a senior research fellow and platform leader for fuels and combustion research at the National Laboratory of the Rockies, Dr. McCormick’s expertise is critical to accelerating bioethanol adoption across all applications.

And finally, the Get Biofuel TOBI award was presented to Jen Franzoni. As the Public Relations Manager – Technology & Innovation at John Deere, Franzoni has been a formidable partner in executing a multi-faceted media effort to showcase renewable fuel’s impact on the ag economy, including during the NASCAR Iowa Corn 350 race weekend. Franzoni’s continued leadership drives a new level of innovation and creativity within the industry.

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—Today, Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, welcomed industry leaders and innovators to The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, for the organization’s 17th annual Executive Leadership Conference (ELC). ELC gathers Growth Energy members from across the country to engage in executive-level educational programming, strategic planning, and networking within the biofuels industry. 

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor kicked off the conference with a keynote address focused on the growing demand for American biofuels in the U.S. and around the world. 

“The entire country is focused on energy — and we stand apart for the unique benefits that we alone can inject into America’s future,” said Skor. 

One of the industry’s top policy priorities, according to Skor, remains securing permanent, year-round access to E15 — a more affordable fuel blend made with 15% American ethanol that can be used in 96% of cars on the road today. In her remarks, Skor emphasized that consumer demand for E15 continues to grow nationwide and that Congress must deliver a lasting solution. 

“We are not going to stop pushing until our lawmakers make law,” said Skor. 

Skor also highlighted the importance of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), expanding access to global markets, and policies that reward innovation and support growth across rural America. 

In addition to the keynote address, this year’s ELC features 19 executive-level educational panels and sessions with speakers from across the renewable fuels, retail, public, and agricultural sectors. The event is ongoing in Scottsdale, Arizona. Follow along on social media using the hashtag #ELC2026. 

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U.S. ethanol industry leaders joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and Under Secretary Luke Lindberg in the United Kingdom (U.K.) this week, meeting with top U.K. officials to underscore the priorities of the U.S. ethanol industry while identifying opportunities to increase ethanol exports and open the U.K. fully to the U.S. market.

Discussions with local stakeholders and government officials, supported by Secretary Rollins, Ambassador Warren Stephens, the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and leading ethanol exporters pointed to the immediate opportunity for ethanol as well as future growth potential toward E15 and beyond in the U.K.

In acknowledgement of the efforts by the USDA, the top three U.S. ethanol industry associations – USGBC, Growth Energy, and RFA – said jointly:

“The U.S. ethanol industry would like to thank USDA and Secretary Rollins for the opportunity to meet and discuss growth opportunities for U.S. ethanol in the U.K., as well as to acknowledge the importance the recent trade deal holds for American farmers. The industry looks forward to continued collaboration not only in the U.K. to meet a 1.4-billion-liter (370 million gallon) demand, but also to expand markets in Mexico, Asia and around the world to build increasing export potential for our homegrown fuel.”

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Each year, Growth Energy recognizes the leading congressional staffers who have gone above and beyond to assist and actively engage with the Growth Energy team and our members on a variety of issues that impact the biofuels industry. Growth Energy proudly announced this year’s winners of the Outstanding Congressional Staff awards at the 2025 Growth Energy Biofuels Summit (GEBS) this September.

“Every single one of these recipients have dedicated their own time to a number of legislative issues that impact the biofuels industry,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “They are among the best and the brightest on Capitol Hill when it comes to biofuels, and we are proud to recognize all their hard work this past year.”

Learn more about this year’s winners below.

Winner – Trenton Hoekstra, Legislative Assistant to Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)

Trenton Hoekstra is a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), handling the senator’s agriculture, nutrition, trade, and biofuels portfolio. In his current role, he is the senator’s first call when it comes to biofuel policy, and therefore one of the most influential staffers in the Seante on our issues. Trenton grew up on his family’s corn, soybean, and hog farm in northwest Iowa, and is a graduate of the University of South Dakota.

Winner – Thomas Liepold, Professional Staff Member for Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

Thomas Liepold is a Professional Staff member for Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry where he works on energy and rural development issues. He began working for Senator Klobuchar in 2016 and has worked on a range of issues from trade, crop insurance, livestock and biofuels. Thomas grew up on his family’s farm in Heron Lake, Minnesota. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture marketing and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota.

Winner – Abby Goins, Legislative Assistant to Representative Adrian Smith (R-Neb.)

Abby Goins is a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Adrian Smith (Neb.-03), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade. Abby advises Congressman Smith on trade, agriculture, and energy policy. Prior to this role, she spent three years in Congressman Tracey Mann’s (Kan.-01) office. Abby is from Oswego, Kansas and is a graduate of Kansas State University, where she studied Agricultural Economics and Global Food Systems Leadership.

Winner – Yusuf Nekzad, Legislative Director for Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.)

Yusuf Nekzad serves as Legislative Director for Rep. Nikki Budzinski (Ill.-13). Congresswoman Budzinski is a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Co-Chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, and Vice Chair for Policy of the New Democrat Coalition. A known expert on the Hill for energy policy, Yusuf previously served as Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the Department of Energy’s Office of Infrastructure and as a Senior Policy Advisor to former Rep. Cheri Bustos of Illinois.

Congratulations to all of our Outstanding Congressional Staff award winners! Thank you for all your hard work, leadership, and partnership over the years.

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Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

ASK: Reallocate each and every gallon for 2023 and 2024, and any future compliance years.
ASK: Limit the number of refiners who can demonstrate “disproportionate economic hardship” in complying with the
Renewable Fuel Standard

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Homegrown American ethanol holds down gas prices, strengthens our domestic energy production, brings jobs and prosperity to rural America, and delivers cleaner air.

Here are specific policy priorities that can lead America into a stronger, cleaner, and more prosperous future.

Reduce Fuel Prices with E15

Rebuild the Farm Economy with a Robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

Drive American Innovation Through Federal Tax Incentives

Win Global Markets with American Ethanol

Unleash American Energy Dominance by Reducing Barriers to Private Investment

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