Four industry leaders from Renewable Fuels Association member companies received recognition today at the 2026 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo, highlighting decades of service to the U.S. ethanol sector.
“Every year, the Fuel Ethanol Workshop honors men and women whose drive and dedication helped move the U.S. ethanol industry forward to new heights,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We’re especially happy to see former RFA Chairman Chuck Woodside honored for his strong leadership as a respected voice and thoughtful innovator for U.S. ethanol.”
Chuck Woodside, CEO of KAAPA Ethanol LLC, received the High Octane Award for his decades of leadership. Woodside served as RFA chairman from 2011-2012 and has led KAAPA for 25 years, growing it into Nebraska’s largest farmer-owned ethanol producer with three plants producing over 350 million gallons annually.
Jenny Forbes, vice president of sales and service at Phibro Ethanol, earned the Women in Ethanol Award for more than 20 years of technical expertise. Pauline Teunissen, global application director for grain processing at IFF, received the Award of Excellence for innovation contributions.
Jim Ramm, who co-founded EcoEngineers, received the Distinguished Service Award for pioneering low-carbon fuel compliance work before retiring last year.
