Chuck Woodside receives the High Octane Award. Photo credit: Renewable Fuels Association.
Four ethanol industry professionals were honored during the 2026 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo (FEW), receiving awards that recognize leadership, innovation and service to the biofuels sector.
The awards were presented by BBI International during the annual conference, which brings together ethanol producers, technology providers and industry stakeholders from across the United States and abroad.
Chuck Woodside, CEO of KAAPA Ethanol LLC, received the High Octane Award for his long-standing leadership in the ethanol industry. Woodside has served as CEO of KAAPA Ethanol for 25 years, overseeing the company’s growth into Nebraska’s largest farmer-owned ethanol producer. The company operates a grain elevator and three ethanol plants with combined annual production exceeding 350 million gallons. Woodside also previously served as chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association from 2011 to 2012 and has held leadership roles with Renewable Fuels Nebraska and Renewable Products Marketing Group.
Jenny Forbes, vice president of sales and service at Phibro Ethanol, was presented with the Women in Ethanol Award. The recognition highlighted her more than 20 years of experience serving ethanol producers through technical expertise, customer support and industry leadership.
Pauline Teunissen, global application director for grain processing at IFF, received the Award of Excellence for her contributions to innovation and technology development in ethanol production.
Jim Ramm, co-founder of EcoEngineers and the company’s former vice president of U.S. biofuels, received the Distinguished Service Award. Ramm was recognized for his work advancing low-carbon fuel compliance programs and carbon market development. He retired from the company in 2025.
The annual FEW awards program recognizes individuals whose work has contributed to the advancement and growth of the ethanol industry.
Source: Renewable Fuels Association, "RFA Congratulates 2026 FEW Award Honorees"