Global Ethanol Summit 2025

Rowena Torres-Ordonez has served as Global Ethanol Technical Consultant and Advisor for U.S. Grains Council since March 2021. She provides technical and regulatory expertise on ethanol specifications, use and other technical issues to advance the development of export markets for US ethanol.

Prior to this, Rowena had 32 years of experience in the energy industry where she worked for BP (in Naperville, Illinois) in the areas of petroleum fuels refining and marketing and in biofuels R&D. She is co-holder of a patent for using butanol in gasoline. Her key expertise areas are fuel specs and standards, new market deployment, quality assurance, strategic planning/communication, project management and cultural competence.

Rowena’s degrees and training are in chemical engineering – PhD and MS from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and BS from University of the Philippines (UP). She also did postdoctoral work at MIT and University of Delaware. She has also been a part-time professorial lecturer at UP Department of Chemical Engineering since February 2022.

Tad Hepner serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Innovation for the Renewable Fuels Association. Tad leads the development and implementation of a wide range of initiatives focused on building demand and new markets for ethanol and other bio-products made by the association’s member companies.

Prior to joining RFA, Hepner led North American biofuels and derivatives business development efforts for Clariant, a Swiss multinational specialty chemical organization with technology applications in catalyst, second generation cellulosic biofuels, and new conversion biotechnologies. Hepner also held various positions at POET, ranging from scientific research to technology and business development. He specialized in applications of new biotech, regulatory navigation, and adjacent space opportunities for the biofuels industry. He has led projects in cellulosic feedstock collection and conversion, animal feed products, coproduct utilization, carbon capture/storage as well as production of biofuels from corn kernel fiber. Tad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of South Dakota and an MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the University of Sioux Falls.

Jake Comer is the Vice President of Market Development at Growth Energy, where he leads efforts to expand the use of higher ethanol blends both in the U.S. and internationally. With 15 years of experience across the fuel supply chain, Comer has developed expertise in fuel sourcing, logistics, marketing, pricing, and ensuring optimal profitability.

He began his career in public accounting but quickly found a passion for the fuel industry, holding leadership roles at major retailers including Kum & Go, Murphy USA, and Casey’s. Most recently at Casey’s, he served as Director of Retail Fuels, where he played a key role in building out the company’s fuel department and advancing fuel profitability as part of Casey’s Shareholder Value Creation Plan.

Comer joined Growth Energy in 2022, initially focused on expanding domestic ethanol markets. By 2024, his role expanded to include oversight of global ethanol market development, technical fuel initiatives, and strategic research.

A native of Iowa, Comer holds a bachelor’s degree from Drake University and an MBA from the University of Iowa. He lives in Des Moines with his wife and two children.

Clement Isong, a lawyer, is the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN). A former Deputy Vice President of Total (now TotalEnergies) Southern Africa, he has held leadership roles in Nigeria, France, and across Southern Africa. He has served on the boards of the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). He was a member of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET Fund) Standing Committee on Research and Development and the Advisory Board of BusinessDay Media. He is actively involved in several philanthropic foundations, including the Clement Isong Foundation, NESONS Schools, and the BusinessDay Foundation, where he serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Chris is the VP of Market Development at Indigo Ag.  In his role he works to develop new sources of demand for low carbon ag commodities, touching on markets like biofuels, food ingredients, and fashion.  Prior to Indigo, he served as the VP of Strategy & Corporate Development at Groundtruth, a leading geospatial firm, and was a strategy consultant at The Boston Consulting Group.  He has an MBA from Dartmouth College and a BS from Miami University.  He is a member of the USGC’s Ethanol Advisory Team.

Lindsay Fitzgerald currently serves as the Chief Advocacy and Communications Officer at Gevo. She leads a global team whose mission is to develop and promote policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to joining Gevo in 2021, Ms. Fitzgerald was Director of Government Affairs at Renewable Energy Group, a leading provider of biodiesel and renewable biodiesel, where she was responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive regulatory policy strategy at the state, local, federal, and international levels. She also served as Director of Regulatory Affairs at the National Biodiesel Board. She started her career as a consulting member, then government team member responsible for implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard at the U.S. EPA. She is a seasoned government affairs professional with a special aptitude for strategy, collaboration, and big-picture, actionable planning, and execution.

Emily Marthaler currently serves as the Director of Global Policy for Growth Energy, the largest ethanol trade association in the United States. Prior to joining Growth Energy in December 2024, Emily was with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) for over nine years, most recently serving as the Senior Trade Advisor for biofuels and bioenergy. Emily led FAS’ biofuels and bioenergy trade and policy efforts both bilaterally and globally. Emily served as co-chair of the Global Bioenergy Partnership, represented the United States in the Global Biofuels Alliance, served as a U.S. expert to the International Civil Aviation Organization, and represented USDA in other negotiations and international engagements. Prior to FAS, Emily was the deputy director of the Midwestern Governors Association where she spearheaded regional efforts that included increasing the use and development of biofuels and renewable energy as well as transitioning the electric transmission sector. Emily also led the development of governors’ recommendations on the Farm Bill, upholding the Renewable Fuels Standard, implementing E15, as well as working to develop a framework on a low-carbon fuel standard. Prior to that, Emily also worked for USDA Rural Development and the United States Senate. Emily has bachelor degrees in political science and economics and a master’s degree in political management from The George Washington University located in Washington, DC.

Dr. Mueller leads the Bioenergy and Clean Transportation Research Group at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Selected research activities focus on life cycle emissions analyses of different bioenergy and electric vehicle pathways as well as sustainability assessments of energy supply chains. Dr. Mueller has published over 40 peer reviewed papers on life cycle analysis. Steffen served on the Expert Working Group on Land Use during the establishment of the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard. In 2021and 2022, he served on the National Academies of Sciences Committee on Life Cycle Analyses of Low-Carbon Transportation Fuels and since 2013 Steffen has been a Board member of International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC). Steffen holds a PhD in Energy Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, an MBA and a B.S. in Environmental Engineering.

Sophie is a seasoned expert in Government and Stakeholder Relations, Business Strategy, and Communications, with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. Her multifaceted career has equipped her with a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics between governments, businesses, and communities. Currently, Sophie holds the prestigious position of Director, Public Affairs at KOKO Networks, a leading organization committed to revolutionizing clean cooking energy access in Africa.

In her role at KOKO Networks, Sophie is at the forefront of efforts to transition communities from traditional energy sources like charcoal and firewood to KOKO Fuel, a clean and renewable energy solution that distributes bioethanol as the clean cooking fuel. Her work involves engaging with governments to foster understanding and support for this transition, emphasizing the environmental and health benefits of adopting cleaner energy alternatives. Sophie's strategic approach and effective communication skills enable her to build strong partnerships with key stakeholders, driving the success of KOKO Networks' initiatives.

Beyond her professional achievements, Sophie is deeply passionate about making a difference in the lives of women, children, and the broader community. She believes in the power of sustainable energy to transform lives and is committed to advocating for policies and practices that promote environmental stewardship and social equity. Her dedication to community engagement is evident in her efforts to raise awareness about the role of carbon markets as a crucial enabler of sustainable development.

Sophie thrives on engaging with diverse audiences, from policymakers to grassroots organizations, to champion the benefits of clean energy and carbon markets. Her ability to articulate complex concepts in an accessible manner has made her a respected voice in the field. Through her work, Sophie is not only contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions but also inspiring others to join the movement toward a greener, more equitable future. Passionate, knowledgeable, and driven, Sophie is dedicated to creating lasting positive impacts on the world around her.

Mark Heckman brings over 30 years of extensive experience in the biofuels, agriculture, and supply chain industries to the Edeniq team. With a strong network of relationships across these sectors, Mark has been instrumental in developing specialized contracts and premium agreements that drive value for clients. His expertise includes guiding clients through complex regulatory requirements at the state, federal, and international levels, ensuring compliance and maximizing program benefits. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and Management with a focus on finance from Iowa State University.

Tom Leone is a Principal Engineer at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), where he works on life-cycle analysis, low carbon fuels, and internal combustion engines.  He previously worked for 32 years at Ford Motor Company, on a variety of engine and fuel-related research programs including collaborations with universities, national labs, and other companies.  He earned BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Bob McCormick is a senior research fellow and platform leader for NREL's fuels and combustion research. His work focuses on end-use issues and fuel-engine interactions with alternative fuels, primarily biofuels—including ethanol, biodiesel, and other bio-derived diesel fuels. Recent research has also focused on the properties and combustion of current and emerging synthetic aviation fuels, as well as biodiesel storage stability and compatibility with modern diesel emission controls.  His vision is to bring the foundational principles of chemistry to the historically empirical world of fuel properties and how they relate to performance in engines.  He has a PhD in chemical engineering and is a Fellow of SAE International.

Mr. Randy L. Gard has over 30 years of executive leadership and management experience, with a background in Business Management from Waldorf College in Forest City, IA.

His career includes key roles in various industries. He spent 18 years with Eaton Corporation in the Automotive Components Group and served as Director of Operations for Stuart Entertainment in the gaming industry. At Vermeer Manufacturing Co. in Pella, IA, he held the position of Vice President of Global Planning and Business Development.

Mr. Gard also led Chief Automotive Technologies in Grand Island, NE, as President and CEO, during which the company was part of Dover Corporation (DOV), a Fortune 500 company.

Currently, Mr. Gard is the COO of Bosselman Enterprises and serves on the board of the organization. He is a member of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, the American Coalition for Ethanol Board, and the governmental affairs team for the National Association of Truck Stop Owners (NATSO).

In addition to his corporate roles, he is actively involved in state and federal governmental affairs, particularly in the ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, and EV markets. He has championed legislative bills focusing on renewable fuel incentives for retailers.

As the Vice President of Marquis R&D Energy LLC and Director of Innovation, Dr. Jennifer Aurandt-Pilgrim leads Marquis Carbon Management initiatives.  Marquis will sequester 1.2 million metric tons of biogenic CO2, along with a sustainable farmer program since 2011, will create carbon-neutral ethanol.  With an eye to the future, Marquis will produce CO2-derived ethanol in 2026 with the support of LanzaTech technology.  Decarbonizing ethanol will provide a feedstock for numerous industries, including chemical, SAF, and Marine fuel. A former tenured professor, Jennifer also serves on the Biological and Environmental Research Advisory Committee (BERAC) for the Department of Energy. She is Co-Vice Chair of the ABFA United Nations-ICAO group. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Bowling Green State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Chemistry from the University of Michigan. She has been an innovator and leader in bioenergy since 2005, leading scientific research and commercialization to advance the ethanol industry.

David Schwalje leads the Emerging Market Development team for Axens Americas, responsible for technology commercialization and project development for Emerging Technologies such as cellulosic fuels, low-carbon chemicals, post-combustion carbon capture, ethanol-to-jet, and plastics advanced recycling. David specializes in renewable fuel and chemical pathways, related incentive systems, and project development and financing, with 20 years of experience holding various roles in the Axens engineering, technology, and commercial groups. His direct technology experience includes residue hydrocracking, spent lube oil re-refining, VGO hydrocracking, FCC gasoline desulphurization, light naphtha isomerization, lipid hydroprocessing, olefin oligomerization, and alcohol conversion.

He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and resides in New Jersey with his wife and two children.

John Duff is a seasoned leader in agribusiness, with a focus on creating transformative market opportunities for sorghum farmers. As founder of Serō Ag Strategies and strategy consultant to National Sorghum Producers, John has driven numerous initiatives that capitalize on the economic potential of sorghum, including developing strategies for bringing new market opportunities and securing private equity for startups. His tenure on staff at National Sorghum Producers saw the reopening of a $1.1 billion sorghum export market and a $70 million grant secured to create low carbon fuel market opportunities for sorghum farmers. A trusted industry voice, John continues to advocate for more sustainable products that empower farmers and expand their market reach. John graduated from Texas Tech University with an undergraduate degree in agribusiness in 2012 and an MBA in 2021.

Scott Richman joined the Renewable Fuels Association as Chief Economist in 2018. He oversees the development and execution of research and analysis initiatives to support the Association’s public policy, regulatory, and public relations objectives. In addition to conducting analyses of ethanol and related commodity markets and government policies, he leads the association’s research efforts regarding the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of ethanol.

Prior to joining RFA, Scott served as Senior Vice President and Co-head of North America Consulting for Informa Agribusiness Consulting, where he co-managed a 15-person consulting group. For more than two decades, he provided research and management consulting services to Informa’s clients, including RFA and other private and public bioenergy stakeholders.

Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University and his master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University, where he specialized in international business.

Andrea Kent is Vice President of Industry & Government Affairs at Greenfield Global Inc., Canada’s leading ethanol producer. A respected voice in renewable fuels, she writes for Ethanol Producer Magazine, co-founded the Farms and Fuels Alliance, and previously served as President of Renewable Industries Canada. With deep experience across policy, industry, and advocacy, Andrea brings a global perspective to advancing biofuels as a smart, scalable solution for clean economic growth, energy resilience, and climate ambition.