Each year, the TOBI awards recognize Growth Energy members for their innovation, fortitude, perseverance, and leadership in the biofuels industry. From communication professionals and political advocates to technical experts and corporate leaders, the TOBI awards acknowledge the achievements of members who go the extra mile to drive progress within their organizations and the industry. Growth Energy proudly announced the winners of the 2025 TOBI awards at the 2025 Executive Leadership Conference.  The TOBI Award is named for Johan Tobias Lowitz, a German-Russian chemist who created ethanol in 1796 and is considered the “father of fuel ethanol.”

“Our winners represent the game-changers and playmakers who are moving America’s bioeconomy into the future,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We’re grateful to have so many all-stars working help our industry revitalize America’s farm economy and secure U.S. energy dominance.”

Learn more about this year’s winners below.

Winner, Membership – Brent Hansen, Commercial Accounts Manager at Sukup

This year’s TOBI Award for Membership goes to Brent Hansen. Hansen has been a staunch supporter of the biofuels industry and the rural agriculture economy for over 15 years. As Commercial Accounts Manager at Sukup Manufacturing, he has forged long-time partnerships with biofuel producers addressing their needs for grain storage and handling—including constructing the world’s largest grain bin at Growth Energy’s member plant, Golden Grain Energy.

Winner, Advocacy – Trevor Hinz, Director of Industry and Government Relations at ICM, Inc.

This year’s TOBI Award for Advocacy goes to Trevor Hinz. Hinz is among the industry’s strongest champions in Washington, where he helps educate our Congressional champions and other key lawmakers on the industry’s most pressing issues.  He embodies Growth Energy’s thoughtful and strategic approach with policymakers and has been a steady leader at Growth Energy’s fly-ins for almost a decade. Over the years, he has developed solid relationships on Capitol Hill through tactical lobbying, political engagement, and third-party support.

Winner, Public Affairs – Rob Walther, Vice President of Federal Affairs at POET

This year’s TOBI Award for Public Affairs goes to Rob Walther. As a valued and trusted partner for the Growth Energy team, Walther has helped expand the industry’s influence and impact through his generous network, helping to engage prominent third parties to lend credibility and expertise on the benefits of biofuels. Last year, he served as a strategic ally in elevating former Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz’s research to promote our industry’s central role in decarbonizing the transportation sector.

Winner, Market Development – Sarah Clark, Fuel Category Manager at Casey’s

This year’s TOBI Award for Market Development goes to Sarah Clark. Clark brings a winning combination of professional expertise in the fuel industry and a deep understanding of life on the farm, making her a standout player in the biofuels game. She is a relentless advocate for expanding consumer access to biofuels in the retail space. For years, she’s driven innovation in biofuel sales, spearheading initiatives at Casey’s through grant applications, creative marketing strategies, and the management of complex construction schedules—all while fostering internal support for these efforts.

Winner, Global Market Development – Jeremy Mall, Vice President of Business Development at Murex

This year’s TOBI Award for Global Market Development goes to Jeremy Mall. Mall is an all-star in global bioethanol exports, seeking opportunities to help grow markets for the industry around the globe. Whether it is the Canadian Clean Fuel Regulation, the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive, or other global opportunities and programs, he has always answered the call to provide timely and insightful market perspective benefitting both Growth Energy and the industry.

Winner, Technical Excellence – Jacki Fee, Renewable Fuels Regulatory Advisor at Cargill

This year’s TOBI Award for Technical & Regulatory Affairs goes to Jacki Fee. Fee is a true standout, delivering next-level technical expertise. With more than 30 years at Cargill, she has been an industry cornerstone through her participation at ASTM, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, the Fuel Ethanol Laboratory Conference, and as Chair of the Fuel Ethanol Technical Advisory Group. She has helped to educate lab managers, quality supervisors, and numerous others across the industry.

Congratulations to all of our TOBI award winners! Thank you for making such dynamic contributions to Growth Energy and to the biofuels industry as a whole.

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Last week, biofuels advocates and champions from across the country convened in Washington, D.C., for the 15th annual Growth Energy Biofuels Summit (GEBS).

Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO, and Tom Willis, Growth Energy Chairman and President and CEO of Conestoga Energy Holdings, opened the summit by highlighting the critical role of biofuels and setting the tone for the week ahead.

“GEBS really is a remarkable gathering,” said Willis, “Leaders and champions for homegrown biofuels from all across the country, descending on our nation’s capital to make our presence felt, our voices heard, and our needs and priorities crystal clear.”

In her opening remarks, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor emphasized, “What’s good for biofuels, producers, and the entire bioeconomy is good for working families on a budget; good for energy security and independence; good for environmental stewardship and decarbonization; and good for economic development in communities that need it most.”

GEBS—the premier advocacy event for biofuels—featured prominent keynote speakers such as U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), among other energy industry leaders and government officials.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s remarks highlighted exciting updates from the Biden administration.

“We’re working to create systems that will allow us to have our farmers be able to participate fully and completely in ecosystem service markets, which creates another new revenue source for them,” said Vilsack.

Ernest Moniz, 13th U.S. Secretary of Energy and CEO and founder of the Energy Futures Initiative Foundation (EFIF), previewed research on exciting opportunities to further decarbonize bioethanol.

“I would just note that the reality is, when you think about low carbon fuels, we have for decades been pursuing a variety of approaches towards low carbon fuels,” said Moniz. “The only one that to date has been found to be effective, scalable and affordable, frankly, has been ethanol production…And we can’t just sit around and pray. What we can do is work at this in the ethanol-approved, proven approach that can get us there.”

During more than 160 meetings with Congressional member offices, attendees stressed the importance of prioritizing policies such as a permanent solution for nationwide, year-round access to E15, accurate and timely guidance for the 45Z tax credit and setting Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) that align with current market conditions, among other issues.

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